Eco Rating Nakia

Name of property	Nakia Resort & Dive, Ltd.
Person completing this form	Jim Kelly
Position	Owner/manager
Address of property	PO Box 204, Waiyevo, Taveuni
Country	Fiji Islands
Phone number including country code and area code	011 679 888 1111
Web site	Nakia Resort Fiji
E-mail	info@nakiafiji.com
Type of property	Eco resort
Number of rooms or cottages	4
Maximum number of guests	10
Eco memberships	Green Globe (affiliate), The International Ecotourism Society
Eco ratings, certifications and awards	Butterfly Club rating through www.eco-tropicalresorts.com: 5 out of 5

• Do you have a written environmental or social sustainability policy?  YES

If yes, please attach.

• Do you have a written environmental management system?              YES

If yes, please attach.

• Describe the property – aim, size, facilities, amount of land owned and leased

We provide guests a carefree vacation while ensuring that our practices and theirs leave a light footprint on the earth and do not adversely impact the physical or cultural environment.  We have 4 bures (Fijian cottages), a restaurant, and organic garden on ten acres on a bluff overlooking the ocean.

• Describe the location, including distance to nearest town and size of town

We are located on Taveuni’s western side, surrounded by rainforests and gardens and have a 200 degree view of the Pacific and offshore islands. The nearest town, Somosomo, is about 3 kilometers to the south. Somosomo’s population ls less than 500.

Introduction to the Butterfly Club’s Eco Rating

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

• Energy;
• Water;
• Recycling and waste;
• Land and nature conservation; and
• 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.

Eco Rating Nakia 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 light bulbs
_X__  change linens, tablecloths, napkins upon request
_X_   switch off lights when not used
Other energy conservation activities? Please list:

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:

__25_  Solar
___5_  Wind
__70_  Hydro
___  Generator (for backup only)
__0_  Public utility
Other energy sources? We have no other energy sources
100% TOTAL
How were these proportions developed? We measure and monitor energy input from all sources.

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) =   5

Eco Rating Nakia 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.
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:

_60__  spring
_40__  river
___  rain
___  reuse gray
___  public utility
Other water sources?  Please list.  We have no other sources of water.
100% TOTAL
Fresh water treatment: how is captured fresh water treated?
_X_  naturally.  Indicate method: charcoal and UV light
___  chemically.  List chemicals used:
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):  5

Eco Rating Nakia 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
_X__   Zero waste in the kitchen
_X__   Serve local water, not bottled water (bottled for packed lunches only)
_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 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):  5

Eco Rating Nakia 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.  Please list actions and projects:

•  We started an anti-littering program to keep the roads clean, and erected signs to identify the person or business that picks up the litter;

• We pick up litter on the local roads six times/year;

• We attend Taveuni Farmers’ Association meetings to explain to local farmers the danger of monoculture farming practices and the need to diversify crops for food security;

• We provide free housing, food, transportation and working space for Fijian SPCA vets who come to Taveuni to spay/neuter pets;

• We show the Blue Planet DVD to local school children, telling them that when they throw litter on the beach, they kill animals they see on the program;

• We helped a nearby village develop a clean source of water and we maintain the catchment (spring house) daily;

• We educate local fisherman on species conservation.

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):  5

Eco Rating Nakia 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                                  60% purchased goods produced locally
_X__  Re-invest resort income locally             > 80% income re-invested locally
_X__  Pay above local prevailing wage
_X__  Pay into local social security
_X__  Provide health insurance or coverage
_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
_X__  Provide sustainable transport to work for staff
_X__  Take additional specific actions to support the local community. Please list actions and projects.

•  We developed an improved water system for a nearby village to bring clean water to homes;

• We belong to the local Rotary Club and volunteer on local building and health projects;

•  We personally sponsor one child from a nearby village, paying all school fees and associated costs.  If the child stays in school, we will pay through university.  Through our local Rotary, we also help provide scholarships to approximately 50 children across the island;

• We provide information to guests on donating to the Rotary to sponsor a needy student;

• We accommodate and feed, at no cost or a very nominal cost, doctors and nurses visiting to supplement the services of local medical and nursing staff;

• We participated in an island-wide scabies eradication program that involved 40 volunteers from at least five different countries, lasted 40 days, and cost US$60,000 in donated funds and medicines;

• We buy crafts and shells from local artisans and sell them in our gift shop;

• We provide building services to locals at reduced rates;

• We volunteer for the annual health fair, bringing volunteer medical personnel to our island; and

• We give lectures at local schools on the benefits of not littering.

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 five 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): 5

YOUR OVERALL ECO SCORE (add your level for each category, then divide by 5):  5

Three final questions: 

• Please describe your single most important eco achievement:

Running our resort on alternative energy.

• Indicate additional sustainable practices that you plan to institute within the next 6 months.

We plan to:

•  rebuild the water catchment to improve water flow and increase our hydro power;
• let the grass grow longer between mowings and use the riding mower less often; and
• supply tap water in bottles not Fiji bottled water in packed lunches.

• Is there anything else you would like to add to this eco rating?

Any resort can claim to be an eco resort.  Many businesses do not employ earth-friendly practices but claim to do so, in order to capture a share of the relatively small (but growing) ecotourism market. Thank you for working to build credibility in the ecotourism industry.