Evita Fakun, Group Sustainability & CSR Executive at The Lux Collective Ltd, on the importance of key partnerships to recover better and unite business for tomorrow
Sustainability as a bedrock
Using integrated thinking principles, approaching SDG action differently, are ways to build much needed resilience during a pandemic and prepare for a green recovery.
In 2020, Paul Jones, the CEO of The Lux Collective with the NY Times bestselling author Ron Kaufman, embarked the group on a transformational journey called Built to Care. Resulting in a selection of projects to demonstrate Care with minimal funding, a Care Index was created to catalyse the creative execution of each initiative, for Guests, for Team Members, for the environment or the communities near our resorts.
The rise in collective awakening with Covid-19, for more responsible consumption is evident.
Sustaining 1 in 10 jobs worldwide, informal economies, fostering inclusiveness as it thrives, it is this very widespread network of international travel and tourism that will fuel a green recovery. This is even more essential in the Small Islands Developing States such as the Maldives and Mauritius, where The Lux Collective manages 8 luxury properties, sustaining over 3000 direct livelihoods.
Our duty towards the country is to share our drive and knowledge to reinforce the countries’ recovery strategies.
The two major UN statements #UnitingBusiness and #RecoverBetter to build back through public-private partnerships, were fully supported by the CEO. The message shared with all stakeholders was to reassure that no one is alone, no one is to be left behind as we work towards recovery. The group accelerated its mission to support the local economy with large scale renovation works, December 2019, at LUX* Le Morne ( Earthcheck profile ), one of its 5 Star properties. This meant an investment capped at MUR 135M (over 3M USD), was re-injected into the local economy during tough times and using principles of circularity for a low-footprint renovation.
LUX* Grand Baie, the flagship
The star of the group, LUX* Grand Baie (opening 2021) is working with local suppliers to adopt sustainable practices too. Together with suppliers, in line with UN SDG 17, local culture, local organic produce and eco-friendly amenities and ethical shopping will all be a part of the marketing of the property. The CSR partnerships of this resort will surpass that of its peers in number but also in quality and value creation.
Transforming a supply chain into a sustainable one requires mastering design concepts, being alert to the opportunities around through stakeholder inclusiveness and selecting the Partnerships that truly create value on all three of the ESG pillars.
For The Lux Collective, sustainability is not separate from luxury experiences. It is nourishing and helps them integrate seamlessly Gender Equality by supporting women-led social enterprises, or UN SDG 12, Responsible Consumption and Production though circular design and ethical sourcing.
Delivering on all 17 SDGs is possible, even during a pandemic. The group is driven by the CEO’s commitment to the 1.5°C Business Ambition Campaign since pre-covid 2019 (unveiled at COP 25 by United Nations Global Compact, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and the We Mean Business coalition. It is during times of instability that businesses should keep re-aligning with their longer-term sustainability strategy.
Discover how in their latest Integrated Annual Report.
The Lux Collective is a luxury hotel management company. Its head office is located in Singapore. The group operates in Mauritius, Maldives, Reunion Island, China and France, with a clear international growth strategy. The company has been a Signatory of the United Nations Global Compact since its creation in 2018. The group manages the resorts of its sister company LUX Island Resorts, 1st hotel group listed on the Sustainability Index in Mauritius.
Our higher Purpose since 2018, We Care About What Matters, is rooted in sustainability principles.