1.      Do you have a written environmental or social sustainability policy?     YES/NO
If yes, please attach.
We are not perfect, but we practice conservation and preservation of the natural surroundings.  We use solar energy, utilization of grey water  and endeavor to help reduce unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions to become carbon neutral.  We offer environmental and organic themes.
We use solar energy, utilization of grey water  and endeavor to help reduce unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions to become carbon neutral. Palmlea Lodge & Villasis a small family atmosphere with close connection to the planet and the cultures of Fiji.

2.      Do you have a written environmental management system?                       YES/NO
If yes, please attach.
The Challenge.  All of us in the North must protect the natural resources which created the attraction that brought the tourist to Fiji in the first place. The concept is ecologically a sustainable holistic approach to the preservation of the entire local ecosystems and a commitment to the greening of the tourism industry.

in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, initiatives by hospitality providers to promote recycling, energy efficiency, water re-use, and the creation of economic opportunities for local communities are an integral part of ecotourism.
Responsible ecotourism includes programs that minimize the adverse effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment, and enhance the cultural integrity of local people

Our goal is to enable people to enjoy and learn about the natural, historical and cultural characteristics of unique environments while preserving the integrity of those sites and stimulating the economic development opportunities in local communities.
We believe that successful ecotourism projects must:

• effectively promote the preservation of entire local ecosystems, not just individual species, vistas or sites;
• be economically viable in order to attract financing and be sustainable:
• be well planned, financed, managed and marketed in order to meet the stringent environmental and recreational demands of a true ecotourism development.

3.      Describe the property – aim, size, facilities, amount of land owned and leased  (150 words max) Fiji’s First Eco Agri-Tourism Resort Hotel, overlooking the Great Sea Reef, 18 minutes from Labasa Airport on Vanua Levu Island. New one and two bedroom ocean view Villas provide deluxe accommodations with all modern comforts, amenities and large covered verandahs. Resort is limited to 12 guests and is strategically located for exploring Vanua Levu Island. We offer environmental and organic themes. Palmlea has 20 acres of freehold property

4.      Describe the location, including distance to nearest town and size of town (100 words max)  Labasa Town is 16kms, population 27,500.

5.      Describe WHY you made the decision to develop an eco resort (100 word max) To create a tourist property that would be sustainable, offer local employment and not destroy the surrounding environment.  Improve the area instead of destroying the existing pristine environment.

Introduction to the Butterfly Club’s Eco Rating

The Butterfly Club Eco Rating has five equally-weighted categories:

(1)   Energy;
(2)   Water;
(3)   Recycling and waste;
(4)   Land and nature conservation; and
(5)   Community.
Each category has five levels, designated by one to five butterflies.  Through self assessment, resort operators completing this rating will determine their own levels within each category based on their responses to items listed below. 

Two categories – energy and water – have similar rating systems with Levels 1 and 2 addressing conservation of existing resources, and Levels 3, 4 and 5 addressing creation of renewable energy or capturing water. 

Level five in every category also requires written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record consumption; (2) test and apply additional conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific targets.   We require a copy of your policies if you achieve level 5 in any category.

Energy

Levels 1 and 2 - conservation: Check all that apply:

__X_  use natural air circulation and fans, not air conditioners
__X use natural light during the day
__X_  Minimize use of fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines and equipment
__X_  use “on demand” or solar heating for hot water
__X_  air dry clothes/linens
__X_  wash dishes by hand
__X_  use energy efficient appliances and electronics
__X_  use low wattage fluorescent or LED light bulbs
__X_  change linens, tablecloths, napkins upon request
__X_  switch off lights when not used
Other energy conservation activities? Please list: Use of solar garden and walkway path lighting
 
Level 1 = four or fewer energy conservation activities

Level 2 = five or more energy conservation activities

Levels 3, 4 and 5 - renewable energy: Indicate proportion (%) of energy from each source:

90%___  solar
_O__  wind
_O__  hydro
_10%__  generator
_O__  public utility
Other energy sources? Please list:

100% TOTAL
How were these proportions developed?

Level 3 = renewable energy is employed and is less than 1/3 of all energy

Level 4 = renewable energy constitutes 1/3 – 2/3 of all energy

Level 5 = renewable energy constitutes 2/3 or more of all energy.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record energy consumption; (2) test and apply additional energy conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific energy targets.  

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Energy Level 5 (required).

Your Energy Level (select 1 – 5) =  4

Water

Levels 1 and 2 - conservation: Check all that apply:

_X_  low flow faucets and showerheads
_X_  low water use toilets
_X_  change linens, towels, tablecloths, and napkins upon request
_X__use table mats that can be wiped and not laundered
_X_  use biodegradable laundry detergent, dish soap and hand soap
_X_  treat swimming pool with chlorine-free processes
Other water conservation activities?  Please list. Utilization of Grey Water on gardens

Level 1 = three or fewer water conservation activities

Level 2 = four or more water conservation activities

Levels 3, 4 and 5 – capture and treat fresh water and manage waste water. Capture water: Indicate proportion (%) of water from each source:

_O__  spring
_O__  river
_70%__  rain
_0__  reuse gray   Grey water used only on gardens
_O__  public utility
Other water sources? Please list.  30 METRE deep bore hole from mountain acquafier that supplies pure mountain spring water

100% TOTAL

Fresh water treatment: how is captured fresh water treated?
_X__  naturally.  Indicate method: charcoal, ultraviolet light, other? List:  charcoal & Sand.                                
___  chemically.  List chemicals used: NONE

Waste water management:
_X__  septic tanks
___  cesspools
___  other? List methods:

Level 3: Water is captured (from springs, rivers, rain or prior use) and constitutes less than 1/3 of water from all sources.  Water is treated chemically.  Water disposal does not minimize damage to coral reefs and rain forests

Level 4:  Captured water constitutes 1/3 to 2/3 of all water.  Water is treated naturally. Water disposal minimizes damage to coral reefs and rain forests

Level 5:  Captured water constitutes more than 2/3 of all water.  Water is treated naturally. Water disposal minimizes damage to coral reefs and rain forests.   In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record water consumption; (2) test and apply additional water conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific water targets.  

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Water Level 5 (required).

Your Water Level (select 1 – 5): 4 

Recycling and waste

Check all that apply:

_X__   use durable service items, e.g. cups, glasses, dishes, tableware, storage items
_X__   buy fresh and local to reduce packaging and emissions from transportation
_X__   purchase in bulk to reduce packaging
_X__   recycle paper, glass, plastic, aluminum
_X__   minimize emissions from fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines & equipment      
___   zero waste in the kitchen
_X__   serve local water, not bottled water
_X__   cleaning products are biodegradable
_X_   compost organic matter

Other methods to recycle waste? Please list.

Level 1 = four or fewer recycling activities

Level 2 = five recycling activities

Level 3 = six recycling activities

Level 4 = seven recycling activities

Level 5 = eight or more recycling activities.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record recycling and waste; (2) test and apply additional recycling and waste conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific recycling and waste targets.  

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Recycling and Waste Level 5 (required).

Your Recycling and Waste Level (select 1 – 5): 4

Land and nature conservation

Check all that apply:

_X__   minimize tree removal when building
_X__   use only botanical (plant-based) herbicides & pesticides in garden & grounds
_X__   maintain organic gardens as food source for resort
_X__   use biodegradable cleaning products
_X__   minimize external illumination
_X__   take additional specific actions to preserve the local habitat. 
_X__   Landscaping with native plants
Please list actions Bee Hives, maintain local habitats for land crabs, mangrove crabs,..maintain a natural bird sanctuary along the mangroves.
and projects:

 
Level 1: one or two land and nature conservation activities

Level 2: three land and nature conservation activities

Level 3: four land and nature conservation activities

Level 4: five land and nature conservation activities

Level 5: six or more land and nature conservation activities.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record land and nature conservation activities; (2) test and apply additional land and nature conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific land and nature conservation targets.   

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Land and Nature Conservation Level 5 (required).

Your Land and Nature Conservation Level (select 1 – 5): 4

Community

This category addresses policies and activities regarding staff, guests, suppliers and other members of the community. 

Check all activities that apply:

_X__  hire staff residing near the resort          _100__% local nationals
_X__  use local suppliers                                __100_% purchased goods produced locally
_X__  re-invest resort income locally            _100__% income re-invested locally
_X__  pay above local prevailing wage
_X__  pay into local social security
___  provide health insurance or coverage Health care is proved for Locals by Fiji Govt.
_X__  use regular staff meetings to educate staff about sustainable processes throughout the resort, in the garden, with waste disposal, etc
_X__  provide educational awareness programs for staff, guests, suppliers and other members of the local community
___  provide sustainable transport to work for staff
___  take additional specific actions to support the local community. Please list actions and projects.
_X__  Have enrolled your staff in any personal green training/certification schemes such as ecohelpline.com green leaf certification.

Level 1: one or two community activities

Level 2: three to five community activities

Level 3: six to seven community activities

Level 4: eight to nine community activities

Level 5: ten or more community activities.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record community activities; (2) test and apply additional methods to support the community; and (3) work towards specific community targets.  

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Community Level 5 (required).

Your Community Level (select 1 – 5): 4

YOUR OVERALL ECO SCORE (add your level for each category and divide by 5and enter the result with the decimal point, e.g. 3.6):  4.0

We have three final questions which are not part of the eco rating:  

1.      Please describe your single most important eco achievement: We have achieved by training our local surrounding population to practice eco/green sustainability by reducing the use of chemicals /burning and using organic farming practices.  Our staff have embraced the way to a healthier lifestyle through healthy diet as practiced in our eco resort.  We use only bullocks to plow our organic gardens to be carbon free conscience.

2.      Indicate additional sustainable practices that you plan to institute within the next 6 months.  Keep developing, increasing and improving our organic vegetable gardens.

3.      Is there anything else you would like to add to this eco rating? Our resort  location is amongst Fijian and Indian cultures.  We work with these communities in farming and day to day activities.