Dusit Launches Tree of Life Group-Wide Sustainability Initiative

Dark/Light Mode (31/07/23)  Dusit, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has rolled out a new group-wide sustainability initiative.

Intended to cover the entire Dusit group, the Tree of Life program is initially being rolled out to all Dusit Hotels and Resorts worldwide, including 54 properties operating across 19 countries.

Other business units, including Dusit Hospitality Education, Dusit Foods, Property Development, and Hospitality-Related Services, are expected to join the program soon.

Designed by the company’s Sustainability Committee, the Tree of Life program has 31 criteria aligned with select United Nations’ Global Sustainable Development Goals, as well as industry-specific targets, set over four levels of achievement. It also includes Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) elements, ensuring that Dusit properties operate as sustainably as possible.

Jasmine Rice fields in Roi-Et, Thailand. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com

The program’s mandatory level one encompasses eight crucial criteria designed to promote sustainability and responsible practices across the entire Dusit group. These criteria include the protection of vulnerable species, the minimisation of food waste, the reduction of single-use plastic, the implementation of effective waste segregation methods to enhance recyclability, the promotion of energy conservation and efficiency, the prioritisation of staff and customer well-being through robust safety management practices, the prohibition of trafficking and sexual exploitation, and active collaboration with local community leaders to identify and support projects or activities that bring tangible benefits to Dusit’s broader communities.

Level two requires a level one pass and the achievement of 18 criteria. Level three requires a level two pass and the achievement of 23 criteria; and level four, the program’s pinnacle, requires a level three pass and the achievement of 28 criteria.

A property can highlight what level it has achieved by showing the number of ‘leaves’ it has been awarded.

“Implementing the Tree of Life program at Dusit International is not only a strategic move but also a reflection of our deep-rooted values as a company,” said Ms Suphajee Suthumpun, Group CEO, Dusit International. “This initiative reinforces our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and strong governance practices. By aligning with global sustainable development goals and industry-specific targets, we aim to lead by example, inspire change within our industry, and leave a positive and lasting impact on the communities where we operate. The Tree of Life program serves as a catalyst for transformative action, ensuring that our properties operate in harmony with the environment, foster well-being for our guests and employees, and make a meaningful difference in the world.”

In 2022, Dusit Hotels and Resorts became the first hotel chain in Thailand to source 100% organic jasmine rice at all of its properties throughout the kingdom.

By directly purchasing from small-scale farms in northeastern Thailand, Dusit not only provides nutritional benefits to its guests, customers and employees, but also generates sustainable income for the communities it supports.

The company also began procuring cage-free eggs for six of its hotels, with plans to implement similar projects as it further enhances its supply chain management this year.

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