As part of a published environmental manifesto, all buildings at Joia das Dunas, including the onsite hotel, will have solar panels or wind turbines and use geo-thermal technology. Rainwater will be harvested and reserved on a natural lake for use on public spaces; all properties will have water reduction technologies. An on-site organic vegetable farm produces supplies for the hotel’s organic restaurant. Residents are encouraged to become involved in and purchase the produce

• zero-carbon

Solar panels and/or wind turbines will be implemented; geo-thermal energy from bore holes supplies under floor heating, hot water and heating in pools.

• zero-waste

Organic waste will be composted; non-biodegradable materials – glass, tins, paper and plastics - will be sorted and recycled where possible. Waste construction materials, although minimal, will also be recycled.

• sustainable water

Rainwater will be harvested and reserved on a natural lake for use on public gardens; water reduction programmes will be implemented in all properties.

• local and sustainable building materials

Most build materials will be locally sourced and sustainable. Labour too has been locally sourced. Rubble from a pig farm demolished onsite was recycled for use as hard core in road.

• sustainable transport

There's a bicycle rental programme, and a free shuttle service from the airport, lessening individual miles by homeowners.

P&V is implementing environmental specifications covering water, waste, energy, countryside and biodiversity, building materials and construction sites. Beyond regulatory requirements, renewable energy sources are promoted across all sites. Belle Dune was the pilot site for a feasibility study for installation of thermal solar panels, now being installed.

• zero-carbon

Installation of 60m² of solar panels set to cover 50% of hot water requirements. Energy saving lights and motivation campaign initiated.

• zero-waste

Optimisation of a recycling programme by adding onsite recycling containers, accompanied by a continuous client educational campaign.

• sustainable water

Water-saving faucets and toilets have been installed. Feasibility study underway to water golf course from an existing drilled water-hole.

• local and sustainable building materials

Wood clad constructions from renewable sources. Ongoing: use of biodegradable cleaning products and chemicals reduction in landscape areas.

• sustainable transport

A car-free environment, bike paths, walking and hiking trails are a feature. The promotion of the use of public transport to reach site is underway.

The resort has been awarded an High Quality Environment (HQE) certificate - the major focus of which is perfect energy control. Renewable energy sources include solar thermal. Offsite construction processes reduce material waste and include environmentally friendly building products. Preservation and enhancement of the region’s heritage has been taken into consideration, and no construction will take place within eight metres of protected vegetation.

• zero-carbon

The resort has been awarded a High Quality Environment (HQE) certificate which indicates a high level of energy control and therefore CO2 emission reductions. Solar thermal is installed for hot water provision.

• zero-waste

Off-site construction processes reduces material waste. Samples of the environmentally friendly products selected and used are viewable onsite. A recycling programme for waste/packaging is in place. Recycling and composting will be initiated.

• sustainable water

Ground-water entrapment has been initiated on the pedestrian pathways where the materials used are eco-friendly cement (porous made of sand and water). On the more dense roads irrigation is in place to allow the entrapment of rainwater.

• local and sustainable building materials

Local materials have been used for boardwalks, stonewalls and pedestrian pathways, specifically regional wood and local stones used to build.

• sustainable transport

A fast TGV link from Paris that passes through Burgundy and the east of France makes the resort easily accessible by rail. Cars are kept to a minimum, and walking encouraged through the provision of paths and walkways.