Cacao Pearl Island, which is home to chic 160m2 showcase residences designed by Antonio Calvo, has a target of net zero consumption, 100 per cent renewable energy, carbon-neutral build and operations, use of local materials from sustainable sources, environmentally responsible timber treatments, modern composting toilets, low water-use, low-impact construction footprint, responsible recruitment and purchasing, recycling targets for construction, and preservation of the natural environment.

• zero-carbon

Passive cooling has been used in the design of the residences. 100 per cent renewable energy will be obtained via custom micro-grid: wind, solar panels, Scheffler-Reflector, micro-hydro and bio-fuels (jatropha). There is no local accreditation, so a local-government accredited environmental impact assessment team will independently review the system. Carbon offsetting, if required, will be contracted to Zero Footprint, Canada.

• zero-waste

A comprehensive reduce, reuse, recycle programme is in place for construction and operations. Highlights include: organic/inorganic recycling split, storage negates potential watershed or ground contamination, recycling containers in residences and work areas, composting containers in kitchen areas, use of purchasing power to reduce packaging for bought goods.

• sustainable water

Detailed in a comprehensive, independent environmental impact assessment, water use is restricted at source (low-water composting toilets, user meters for monitoring of personal consumption low-flow taps in work areas), and recycled as grey water (organic treatment and filtration), or disposed of as black water. Rainwater is harvested via a low-impact catchment system, and the masterplan emphasises natural watershed (stilted structures).

• local and sustainable building materials

All labour is local where possible, taken from the immediate community; any skilled non-local personnel must deliver training or work-shadow for local labour. Timber is from a managed forest and local timbers are used in place of imports. Stone and aggregates used are from local managed quarries. Interiors use local crafts techniques.

• sustainable transport

There is no motor access on site, and no motorised watersports within the vicinity of the island (to preserve coral reef and turtle habitats). All guest travel is automatically carbon off-set, and the plan in 2010 is to finance new electric ‘jeepneys’ for shuttle between airport and launch point by local operators.

Soneva Kiri is a Six Senses luxury self-contained resort located on Koh Kood, an island overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. Comprising 46 pool, beachfront and hillside villas, each property is being developed with the principles of ecologically sustainable design and material selection, and with construction methods adapted to protect the environment. Resort amenities include three restaurants and numerous leisure facilities, with a Six Senses Spa and a retail village.

• zero-carbon

A tri-generation system, with heat recovery for hot water, steam, and cold water for the air conditioning, is being installed. The power supply will be managed through solar PV, wind turbines and micro-hydro applications. The ultimate aim is for 100% of the resort’s power to be generated via these renewable sources. Deep seawater cooling (DSWC) will take water from a depth of 300 metres for chilled water air conditioning. Initially, biofuel from coconut plants will supplement 30% of fossil fuel sources for the backup diesel generators. Food transportation (embodied energy) emissions will be reduced by the growth of fresh produce in the resorts own organic garden.

• zero-waste

The resort will have its own onsite vegetable, fruit and herb garden, eliminating packaging waste. All appropriate food waste will be composted and used on the organic gardens. A recycling programme for non-bio waste will be installed prior to opening. Six Senses is also investing a large sum of money in a project to ecologically manage the entire island’s waste. Building material is also being recycled.

• sustainable water

Wastewater treatment and grey-water irrigation systems will be installed, with water and sewage handled through ecological wetlands. Rainwater harvesting, storage and filtration will ensure a sustainable water supply. Water-saving devices such as air-flow taps and low-flush mechanisms on toilets are installed in all areas. There are also two reservoirs that have been especially constructed to supply the resort.

• local and sustainable building materials

The Six Senses Zero Emissions Objective develops climate-sympathetic properties using locally and thoughtfully sourced and non-toxic materials. This is mainly FSC pine, locally sourced bamboo and plantation eucalyptus. Construction methods are adapted to protect and nurture the environment. Local labour from Koh Kood is currently employed, and the resort looks to train and employ further local people when it opens at the end of the year. The construction company also employs Thai nationals.

• sustainable transport

The resort is a car-free zone, with electrical golf carts and bicycles provided in the resort. Currently there is a shuttle service from Trat airport to the boat, which will bring guests to the island. At the moment the boat is diesel, but the developers are committed to ensuring all vehicles used will be biodiesel in the future.

The Village is located on a palm-tree lined, white sand beach island reached in only three minutes by boat from Phuket. Home to low impact luxury pool villas in a car-free setting, The Village has a strong ‘top to bottom’ environmental ethos that includes the construction of villas built by local tradesman using indigenous and sustainable materials, water conservation and recycling practices, the use of renewable energy, and solid and organic waste minimization initiatives.

• zero-carbon

The villas have been designed to be cooled by the prevailing breezes and have large sliding doors for natural air-con. Hot water is generated by individual air-conditioning heat exchangers, and supplement by solar thermal. Indigenous trees within the grounds have been moved where necessary to build, held in onsite organic nurseries and successfully replanted within the villa gardens. No walls or fences divide villa plots as natural flora boundaries give a tropical aesthetic and help offset the CO2 produced.

• zero-waste

Recycling of glass, plastic, paper and other materials is encouraged by the provision of different coloured refuse sacks and strategic collection points. During construction, fast-growing rubber trees that were cut down were used within the construction as supports (and as supports for when coconut palms were moved); the smaller branches were chipped and used as organic compost. Fruit and organic vegetables are grown – and composted - on the island for use in the restaurants at the resort.

• sustainable water

An effective water conservation plan has been implemented that includes rainwater being harvested and reused in different areas of the construction process. In the villas grey water is cleaned and recycled for irrigation. Less water toilets with a reduced water flush system have been installed. The depth of the villa swimming pools has been reduced to conserve water. Externally, the gutters have been designed to facilitate optimum rainwater collection, which is then recycled. Limited construction of impermeable surfaces and the management and (re)planting of indigenous flora reduces rainwater run-off.

• local and sustainable building materials

The local workforce makes concrete onsite from indigenous materials that reduce embodied energy use; and the timber-roofed, floored and balconied villas are made from sustainable, forested local trees. Local tradesmen, some of whom live and work on the island, make the villa furniture from indigenous fast-growing species. Training and education of the workforce in best environmental practices is constant and ongoing.

• sustainable transport

The island is a car-free zone which reduces noise, air pollution and CO2 emissions. Residents and guests are ferried to the island by diesel-powered boat. On the resort electric golf buggies and bicycles are provided for guests’ use.