Brian Chiva-Som CSR and the Preserve Hua Hin Group Sep 2012
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Chiva-Som, a holistic wellness resort since 1995, emphasizes corporate social responsibility through sustainable practices, community development, and staff welfare. They maintain environmental certifications and implement initiatives for energy efficiency, waste reduction, and organic farming, while actively engaging in local community projects and health education. Their ongoing commitment includes supporting education for wellness professionals, scholarships for staff members' children, and outreach programs to empower the youth in health and nutrition.
Brian Chiva-Som CSR and the Preserve Hua Hin Group Sep 2012
- 1. Chiva-Som Responsibility (CSR) Environmental & Social Wellness
- 2. Message from Our Chairman Dear Friends, At Chiva-Som we are truly holistic in our approach to wellness, and we provide a sanctuary for our guests to rest, relax, rejuvenate and focus on their lifelong goals of improved health and longevity. Since opening the Resort in 1995, we‟ve embraced the importance of corporate social responsibility by treating our staff as family, and continually search and implement sustainable alternatives to reduce the environmental impact resulting from Krip Rojanastien our operation. And our collective commitment to local community development activities is the direct result of our staff‟s altruistic volunteerism to improve the Hua Hin Municipality as well as Chairman & CEO the Kingdom of Thailand.
- 3. Chiva-Som Responsibility Environmental Stewardship Preserve Hua Hin Group Social Welfare Community Well-being
- 4. UN Global Compact • Signatory • 8,000 in 135 countries • Global Reporting Index GRI • Caring For Climate Initiative (341) • CEO Water Mandate (80)
- 5. UN Global Compact • Largest Voluntary Initiative • Sustainable Business Models • Human Rights • Labor • Environment • Anti-Corruption
- 6. Environmental Stewardship Operational Efficiency and Compliance Strictly adhering to our Policy on Environmental & Social Sustainability, Chiva-Som remains committed to the preservation of our planet Earth and proactively involved in conserving our precious natural resources. The Resort maintains the prestigious Earthcheck Green Globe Certification recognising our commitment to operating at the world‟s highest environmental standard.
- 7. Chiva-Som LILACS Lowering the Impact of Luxury Accommodation for Sustainability The Resort has several initiatives, policies and practices in place for energy efficiency and conservation, waste water treatment and reuse, fresh water conservation, waste minimisation and recycling, and eco-friendly product usage. Waste water and rainfall are collected and processed through tertiary treatment and reused to maintain the Resort lake level and irrigate the lush, green landscape. Three hundred square meters of solar water heating panels are used to preheat the water in the Resort and our swimming pools are sanitised using the healthier choice of the sodium chloride system.
- 8. Energy Efficiency & LEED Mitigating Climate Change through Responsible Business Practices Chiva-Som is engaging with the Clinton Climate Initiative‟s Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Program to replace chiller cooling systems with state of the art technology, and low electricity consuming LED lighting is being installed throughout the Resort. The estimated electricity reduction is 26% with a related 20% decrease in the Resort‟s carbon footprint. Preparation is currently underway for LEED Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) as an existing facility and operation through the US Green Building Council.
- 9. Organic Sustenance Producing Healthy Food for Good Nutrition Along with growing many of our own fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers without the use of harmful chemicals, the Chiva-Som Organic Farm follows simple practices such as composting organic waste from the Resort to produce nutrient-rich fertiliser. The fresh produce is used in our spa cuisine as well as some organic spa treatments. Locally produced perishable products and services are continually sought after to help boost the home economy and reduce carbon emissions resulting from long-distance transportation.
- 10. Clean, Healthy Food Providing the Most Nutritious Cuisine without Compromise To ensure that we always provide the cleanest, healthiest meals for our guests and staff, Chiva-Som is modifying and developing food processing systems in preparation for the internationally-recognised Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Certification (HACCP).
- 11. Waste Reduction Two Tangible Items: Waste and Carbon Emissions We realise that just about everything we do has an impact on the environment, and in the hospitality industry, waste and carbon emissions are considered tangible products. Our Resource Conservation & Recovery Programme is our ongoing commitment to saving energy and water, and recycling and reusing waste materials to minimise any amount sent to landfill. Renewable energy systems are constantly being explored to decrease our reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels and reduce the carbon footprint of our operation and related activities. To save electricity and related carbon emissions, our staff follow the simple practice of switching off lights, air conditioning and other electrical appliances when not in use. To reduce plastic waste and the ecological footprint of potable water delivery and consumption, reverse osmosis water purification systems are installed and complimentary stainless steel vacuum bottles are provided for all guests to use during their stay at Chiva-Som, and take home and use for many years. Low-flow taps and showers are installed throughout the Resort to conserve fresh water and minimise any wastage. Our policy of changing bed linens and bath towels every three days is offered to guests to conserve water and reduce laundry service. Fruit and vegetable peels are converted into compost and food scraps are delivered to the local farm for animal fodder.
- 12. Preserve Hua Hin Group Environmental Preservation and Community Wellness With focus to reduce the ecological footprint of the city of Hua Hin‟s growing population, Chiva-Som formed the Preserve Hua Hin Group (PHHG) as a community development organisation in 2004. PHHG organises events such as outdoor concerts, marathons, reforestation projects and beach clean-ups to promote environmental awareness and preservation, and to increase social interaction in the local community. PHHG continues to build momentum and collective support to assist the municipality in nurturing a healthy, safe and vibrant community and sustain Hua Hin into the future with a socially responsible and environmentally conscious approach.
- 13. Mangrove Ecosystem Education Educating Today‟s Youth for a Sustainable Future The Preserve Hua Hin Group and Chiva-Som organize the annual Mangrove Ecosystem Study Camps to help students gain first-hand knowledge of the mangrove ecosystem and other environmental issues including climate change and environmental degradation caused by human activity and commercial development. Recognized as Junior Ambassadors, the students learn about the symbiotic relationship between plants, animals and water to help them understand both the stability and fragility of the ecosystem, and develop respect for nature.
- 14. Concert for Sustainability “Climate Positive” Concert to Combat Climate Change The annual “I Love Hua Hin” Concert is set up as a Carbon Neutral, “Climate Positive” event to raise awareness in the fight against runaway climate change and environmental degradation, and to raise funds for PHHG‟s preservation initiatives. The carbon dioxide emissions generated from the event and related activities are offset by a carbon credit donation of 76 metric tonnes and our ongoing reforestation projects elevate the concert to Climate Positive status.
- 15. Heavy Half Marathon & Fun Run Community Challenge for Good Health and Longevity The annual Preserve Hua Hin Heavy Half Marathon & Fun Run has taken place every spring since 2004 and attracts over 1,000 runners from Thailand as well as from around the world. This year a Rock‟n‟Roll Charity Concert and Pasta Party was also held the night before the race to raise funds for the development of a Mangrove Ecosystem Education Center and reforestation project at Wat Khao Krai Lart temple in Hua Hin.
- 16. Teamwork for Sustainability Mangrove Reforestation Project with Preserve Hua Hin Group As one of our initiatives to help mitigate runaway climate change, the Chiva-Som Family with Preserve Hua Hin Group planted 300 mangrove trees on April 25, 2012 to restore the Wat Khao Krai Lart temple mangrove area in Khao Takiab, Hua Hin. The Chiva-Som Mangrove Reforestation Project is registered in the Earth Day Network‟s “A Billion Acts of Green” campaign.
- 17. Social Welfare Taking Care for a Sustainable Organisation Annual medical check-ups are given to all of our staff along with medical and dental insurance to ensure good health, and many of us volunteer to donate blood for the Thai Red Cross. A company-assisted Provident Fund is offered to augment personal savings.
- 18. Higher Education in Wellness Holistic Professionals Developing Their Abilities Chiva-Som regularly supports our therapists for specialised education at various training centres to develop their knowledge and skills to provide innovative wellness treatments and therapies. The Resort sent eight medical and holistic therapists to study Nutrition and Herbal Remedies for 18 months at the Australasian College of Natural Therapies to enhance their personal advisory skills and create individualised wellness programmes specifically tailored to meet our guests‟ needs.
- 19. Life Skills Development Internal Training for Personal Growth The Human Resource Development team provides continuing education programs for life skills development including language training in English, Russian, Japanese, Chinese and Thai, Train the Trainer, guest contact skills, healthy cooking classes, microbiological testing, Thai herbal remedies and holistic therapies, yoga, massage and stretching, computer technology, tax knowledge and financial planning management, driving safety, photography, environmental preservation and sustainable development.
- 20. Awards of Excellence Recognising Ongoing Dedication and Commitment Every month Chiva-Som holds an Awards of Excellence ceremony to recognise individual staff members for their superior service and good team-working efforts. On the same day the Resort hosts a birthday party to celebrate the birthdays of all staff members whose birthdays take place in that month. Chiva-Som staff formed their own house band called the „Om Yim‟ Band that performs at all the parties and outdoor concerts as well.
- 21. New Generations Supporting Our Students‟ Success Our student scholarship programme provides tuition assistance for Chiva- Som family members‟ children who have proven themselves to be in high academic standing, and the Resort hosts an additional party for the staff‟s children the day after Thai National Children‟s Day.
- 22. Symbiotic Development Educating Students for a Sustainable Future Throughout the year we provide working internships for university students in the areas of accounting, engineering, finance, food & beverage, housekeeping, human resources, information technology, kitchen, organic farming, purchasing, sales & marketing, spa management and sustainable development. During the internship, the students gain practical hands-on experience for employment at Chiva-Som or other businesses in the industry.
- 23. Support for the Underprivileged Social Welfare through Local Outreach The Chiva-Som Social Welfare Programme reaches out to the local schools with donations of luncheons, staple food and cleaning products, toys, shoes, clothing and other items to help them meet their day-to-day needs.
- 24. Community Well-being Empowering Youth for Good Health and Longevity The Chiva-Som Health Education & Awareness Programme regularly visits local schools to teach the students the importance of leading a health-conscious life. Our fitness trainers lead the groups and introduce them to new physical fitness exercises and our physiotherapists conduct aerobic dances sessions.
- 25. Early Health Education Empowering Youth for Good Health and Longevity The Chiva-Som culinary artists volunteer to teach students about the importance of good nutrition and our nursing staff explain the necessity of daily personal hygiene and adolescent development. By reaching the students at an early age, we aim to instill memorable experiences and the concepts of healthy lifestyles for physical development and longevity.
- 26. Environmental Awareness Alternative Environmental Training in the Classroom For students majoring in hospitality and tourism management, our Sustainable Development Coordinator regularly visits universities, conferences and forums to give presentations on corporate social responsibility, green accommodation management, ecological and carbon footprints, environmental issues and community well-being.
- 27. Chiva-Som International Health Resort Head Office: 11th Floor, Modern Town Building Hua Hin Office: 73/4 Petchkasem Road, 87/104 Sukhumvit 63, Bangkok 10110, Thailand Hua Hin, Prachuab Khirikhan 77110, Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 2711 6900-12 Fax: +66 (0) 2381 5852 Tel: +66 (0) 3253 6536 Fax: +66 (0) 3251 1154 Email: enquiries@chivasom.com Email: reservation@chivasom.com Proud recipient of: „Best Overseas Health & Wellness Property‟ for 6 consecutive years „Top 10 Best Overseas Resort‟, Luxury Travel Magazine 2012 Gold List „Ranked 2nd - Destination Spa (World)‟ Travel + Leisure India & South Asia‟s Readers‟ Choice-India‟s Best Awards 2012 „Top Ten Best Cooking Classes‟,„Top Ten Best Cuisine‟ and „Top Ten Best Medical Spa‟ SpaFinder Readers' Choice Crystal Award 2011 „Ranked 2nd - Destination Spa‟ Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Awards 2011 „Top 5 Best Overseas Spa Retreat‟ and „The World's Top 25 Spas‟ Conde Nast Traveller Readers‟ Spa Awards 2011 Chiva-Som has consistently ranked in the „Top 5 Best Overseas Destination Spa‟ Conde Nast Traveller Readers Travel Awards every year since 1999