Along its sustainability journey, Sun Siyam has achieved a major milestone through securing Green Globe Certification for all five of its resorts: Siyam World, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Sun Siyam Olhuveli, Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.
The certification recognizes Sun Siyam's efforts to embed more responsible practices into everyday resort operations, from renewable energy and waste reduction to marine conservation, community engagement and preservation of Maldivian culture.
Green Globe is a long-established international sustainability certificate for the travel and tourism sector. Its hotels and resort standard evaluates properties against 44 core criteria and more than 400 indicators covering sustainable management, social and economic responsibility, cultural heritage and environmental protection. Certification is independently audited and renewed each year, requiring certified businesses to show continued progress.
"Achieving Green Globe Certification across all five of our Maldives resorts is something we are incredibly proud of, but for us this is not the finish line. Sustainability has to be part of how we operate every day, from the energy we use and the waste we produce to how we protect our reefs, support our communities and create opportunities for the next generation of Maldivians," Chaminda Upul Kumara, Group Sustainability Manager at Sun Siyam said.
"This recognition belongs to our teams across the islands, whose commitment has made this milestone possible."
Sun Siyam Resorts is broadening its environmental and social sustainability work through a series of projects spanning waste management, marine conservation, renewable energy and community development.
At Siyam World, the Maldives' first resort-based Plastic Upcycling Centre of its scale is converting discarded plastic into new products. Developed in collaboration with CLEAN Maldives, the facility repurposes materials such as used containers and plastic drums into outdoor furniture and planters, creating a circular waste solution that reduces the need to transport waste off-island.
Marine conservation has become a central pillar of the Sun Siyam Cares programme. Marine biologists across the group's properties lead coral restoration and reef protection initiatives, with guests invited to participate through coral planting and adoption activities. Siyam World recently launched 'Wreck to Reef', a long-term project built around a sunken 66.36 metre Maldivian tuna freighter now resting in the waters of Noonu Atoll. The wreck is being transformed into a living reef through natural coral growth and active restoration, providing new habitats for marine life and opportunities for guests to contribute directly to the reef's growth.
On land, the group is investing heavily in renewable energy. Large-scale hybrid solar systems have been installed at Siyam World and Sun Siyam Olhuveli, combining solar generation, battery storage and real-time monitoring. With a combined capacity of 4,110 kWh, the systems are expected to produce more than six million kWh of clean energy annually, reducing carbondioxide emissions by over 4,458 tonnes and significantly cutting reliance on diesel power.
Waste reduction measures continue across the resorts through in-house water bottling, the removal of single use plastics, waste segregation, composting and the PLEDGE zero food waste prevention programme, which aims to minimize food loss and improve resource efficiency.
As a fully Maldivian-owned hospitality company, Sun Siyam also maintains a focus on local development. The group supports employment, apprenticeships and training for young Maldivians, and works with island communities and women's development committees to strengthen supply chains and create sustainable income opportunities.
Cultural preservation remains part of the wider commitment at Sun Siyam resorts. Through Sun Siyam Cares and the group's 'Home of Maldivian Spirit' philosophy, guests are encouraged to engage with Maldivian heritage through local island visits, storytelling, traditional performances and cultural experiences.
Guests are also invited to directly become part of the journey through a voluntary USD 10 contribution per villa, per stay which will go towards Sun Siyam Cares' sustainability projects.
