Panama is one of only three Carbon Neutral countries in the world
The number one country with the distinction of being Carbon Neutral is Bhutan in South East Asia. Second is Suriname (Panama’s close neighbor) and third is Panama.
What does a Carbon Neutral country actually mean?
Panama is able to offset it’s own CO 2 emissions with it’s natural ecology because over 65% of Panama is covered in rainforests, jungle and swamps and there are carbon sinks in the waters around the country.
Over 33% of the land of Panama is government protected territory. There are 4 main national parks and other nature reserves. A huge reforestation program is now underway to reforest 50,000 hectares of land which is expected to contribute to the absorption of 2.6 million tons of CO 2 by 2050. In addition, protection of the coral reefs and sea grasses around Panama has contributed to offsetting CO 2 emission as carbon sinks.
And in other initiatives, there has been significant progress:
Renewable Energy: Panama has a strong commitment to increasing its use of renewable energy sources and there are huge incentives for companies to invest in clean energy projects including wind farms. The Government has set a goal of generating 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050. Currently, about 55% of its energy comes from hydroelectric power.
Waste management: Panama was the first country in Central America to ban plastic bags and drinking straws, which are an inherent danger to marine life and pollution of the waterways.
Panama has implemented waste management programs aimed at reducing waste and promoting recycling. The government has also encouraged the use of biodegradable materials.
Green building: Panama has embraced green building practices and several projects have been awarded LEED certification for reaching the standards required in energy-efficiency and environmentally friendly. The F&F Tower, the Bisca Financial Center and the Bio Museum are all examples of Green Building in Panama.
Panama Canal: The Panama Canal has a goal to become Carbon neutral by 2030 through its Green Route Strategy.
How we are working towards a more Eco-Friendly Vacation Rental at Villa Ibis, Buenaventura
At Villa Ibis, we are committed to taking steps towards becoming a more eco-friendly property. We are following the EnviroRental Roadmap, a comprehensive guide specifically designed for vacation rentals to ensure they meet eco-friendly standards.
As we move forward, we will continue to make conscious choices towards sustainability, such as reducing energy and water consumption, promoting recycling, and minimizing waste. We hope we are are doing our bit to contribute to the urgent need to find sustainable ways forward for the future of our planet.
Below are some of the eco-friendly practices currently in place and how we are working at Villa Ibis towards a more sustainable future:
Water: The water in Buenaventura is sourced from ground wells and undergoes treatment before distribution. (However, we recommend against drinking it straight from the tap). To ensure a steady and safe supply of fresh drinking water, we have installed a water filter system in our kitchen with the filters regularly replaced. You can enjoy an endless supply of clean water for drinking, ice making and cooking without the need for any plastic bottles.
Appliances: All our air-conditioners are new in the last 2 years and all have inverter technology which means the speed of the compressor is controlled to regulate the temperature of the air being circulated in the room. The advantage is they are quieter, use less energy and are more precise in controlling room temperature and humidity level. This is also a huge advantage to allergy sufferers.
Fridge-Freezer: The inverter technology allows the fridge freezer to operate at variable speeds so the compressor adjusts to meet the cooling demand. The result is a saving in energy of up to 30% compared to a traditional fridge freezer.
Energy: Naturgy provides our electricity, and 55% of the energy in Panama currently comes from hydroelectric power.
However, we have noticed that our electricity tariff is very high especially when there is a high occupancy rate over a monthly period when bills can exceed $450.00.
In light of this, we are exploring the option of installing solar power.
In the meantime, we urge our guests to help us reduce our energy consumption by making a conscious effort to conserve electricity. This includes turning off lights and air-conditioners when not in the room, closing blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the day to keep rooms cooler, and setting machines to not less than 19 degrees Celsius or 68 degrees Fahrenheit. By working together, we can all make a positive impact on the environment and reduce our energy costs.
Lighting: We are committed to using LED lights both inside and outside the house whenever possible, as the use of LED bulbs offers several advantages over non-LED lights.
The first is that LED bulbs consume significantly less energy and do not exude heat, which helps us reduce our overall energy consumption and lowers our carbon footprint. And the second is that LED bulbs last many years longer than non-LED lights, reducing the frequency of bulb replacement and therefore, reducing waste.
By using LED lights, we are not only saving on energy and maintenance costs but also contributing towards a more sustainable future.
Digital Guide Book: At Villa Ibis we have a Digital Guide book that gives you all the information that you will ever need about the Villa, how things work, where to find stuff as well as Restaurants, Amenities and things to do within striking distance of Buenaventura. We only have a guest folder in the house for essential information such as tide tables, maps and emergency contacts.
Dishwasher: At Villa Ibis we have a dishwasher that has several different settings depending on the type of wash or rinse. It also washes at different water temperatures.
Dishwashers use less water and energy than washing dishes by hand, especially if the dishwasher is full.
Our suggestion is that if you have a lot of washing up, use the dishwasher on a 40 degree regular wash. If you only have a few dishes, handwashing in the sink using the plug provided and cold water will be more eco-friendly.
Jacuzzi: When the pool and Jacuzzi were built, the Jacuzzi was equipped with a heater.
However, we soon realized that this heating system consumed a significant amount of energy and gas and took a considerable amount of time to warm the water. As a result, we made the decision some years ago to disconnect the heater.
Luckily, since Panama is a tropical country with year round hot weather, it is unnecessary to heat the water at all. The sun does an excellent job! Not only is this an eco-friendly practice, but it also helps us save on energy costs. So, go ahead and enjoy the Jacuzzi, and let the sun work its magic!
Recycling: At Villa Ibis, we make a concerted effort to recycle as much as possible, including yogurt pots, product packaging, glass bottles, aluminum cans, and tetra packs. We encourage all of our guests to join us in this effort to reduce waste and protect the environment.
To facilitate recycling, we have provided a reusable recycling box in the drawer under the pantry in the kitchen.
We kindly request that you thoroughly wash and rinse all items before placing them in the bin.
Our cleaning staff is unable to take this waste to the recycling station, so we ask that you take your own recycling to the Punta Arena Plaza close to Felipe Motta before you leave. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us to minimize our environmental impact.
Bikes: What better way to get around Buenaventura, than on a bike! It’s safe, easy and fast. We provide two bikes for your use and if you want more, you can rent from the Bike Rental in the Marina (more information on the Guest App).
How you can help us in our efforts to be more sustainable when you stay at Villa Ibis
We recognize that that whilst we are working towards a more eco friendly vacation rental, there is still much work to be done.
We encourage all of our guests to join us in this effort by reducing energy and water consumption and recycling waste, and minimizing their environmental impact during their stay. Together, we can make a positive impact on our environment and create a sustainable future.
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