Setting the Standard for Sustainable Luxury: Four Seasons Resorts Maldives and EarthCheck

Scattered across 1,190 coral islands in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is known for its breathtaking natural beauty—and its environmental vulnerability. Among these islands, Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa stand out not only for their luxury, but for their leadership in environmental responsibility.

These two properties are proving that sustainability and luxury can coexist, using the EarthCheck sustainability framework to guide daily operations, protect fragile ecosystems, and create meaningful local impact.

Built on Purpose, Driven by Data

The Four Seasons journey with EarthCheck began as part of the itmustbeNOW movement, which called for independent sustainability certification. But what started as a commitment quickly became a strategy. Recognizing the unique challenges of running resorts on remote, resource-constrained islands, Four Seasons found EarthCheck’s benchmarking system to be flexible, practical, and science-based.

Led by a cross-functional team — including the General Manager and department heads—the sustainability strategy was embedded across operations. Today:

• 90% of dive shop products are either recycled or sustainably sourced

• Single-use plastics have been eliminated from F&B

• Procurement policies prioritize local and ethical suppliers

• Staff engagement is maintained through regular training, webinars, and company-wide forums

  
  

Benchmarking Sustainability in Real Terms

With EarthCheck’s support, the resorts are benchmarked against regional peers and global best practices. The benchmarking covers:

• Energy consumption

• Water use

• Waste and resource management

• Carbon emissions

• Chemicals and paper usage

• Governance

• Cultural awareness

• Community impact and employee wellbeing

This process has helped improve data collection and performance tracking, especially for waste reduction and resource efficiency.

Conservation in Action: Coral, Turtles & Community

Sustainability at Four Seasons Maldives isn’t just behind the scenes—it’s visible in the water, on the beach, and in the community:

• Since 2001, more than 450,000 coral fragments have been planted across 9,000+ coral frames

• Over 280 rescued sea turtles have been rehabilitated and released

• The Marine Discovery Centre hosts educational programs for guests and locals

• The Apprenticeship Program has trained over 700 Maldivians in hospitality and sustainability

These initiatives, tracked through EarthCheck’s MyEarthCheck platform, make sustainability part of the guest experience while delivering long-term environmental and social value.

A Model for Island Sustainability

As climate change accelerates and tourism demands greater accountability, Four Seasons Maldives demonstrates how measurable sustainability can be embedded into luxury hospitality—not as a trade-off, but as a value driver.

EarthCheck’s science-backed tools help operators make smart, data-driven decisions. And with leadership commitment, local engagement, and third-party verification, luxury properties like Four Seasons can inspire global change.

Source: EarthCheck Case Study – How Four Seasons Maldives Is Setting the Standard for Sustainable Luxury