-Ikos Olivia, the luxury resort of the Sani/Ikos Group in Halkidiki, is the first resort in Greece and only the third in Europe to achieve the LEED EBOM Gold certification. The already carbon-neutral resort is implementing a series of initiatives aimed at achieving zero emissions, zero waste in landfills, eliminating single-use plastics and protecting local ecosystems, while promoting ecotourism to its guests.
Sani/Ikos Group announces that Ikos Olivia in Halkidiki has achieved the world-class LEED O&M Gold Certification for existing buildings (LEED Existing Building Operations & Maintenance, EBOM), an award that makes Ikos Olivia the first resort in Greece and only the third in Europe to receive this important and demanding environmental distinction. reaffirming its commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a globally recognized high-level certification for “green” buildings and the most widespread rating system worldwide, developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), which is a benchmark and symbol of excellence in design, construction and operation of high performance in the fields of design, the construction and operation of building complexes.
LEED EBOM certification is awarded to existing buildings that demonstrate outstanding operational performance, minimizing their environmental footprint and includes four tiers: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum. Ikos Olivia achieved the high level of LEED Gold Certification by meeting particularly strict criteria in five (5) critical categories of Operation and Maintenance: Sustainable Locations, Water Efficiency, Energy and Air, Materials and Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality.
All resorts of the Sani/Ikos Group have received numerous international distinctions and certifications for their sustainability initiatives, including ISO 14001:2015 for environmental management, ISO 50001:2018 for energy management, and ISO 14064 for carbon neutrality, as well as 15 Blue Flags. In addition, the Group’s new hotels are built according to LEED or BREEAM standards, aiming at the superior energy class. superior energy class.
At the same time, Sani Asterias, the luxury resort of the Sani/Ikos Group in Halkidiki that is being renovated, as well as Ikos Kissamos in Kissamos, Chania, are already in the process of certification according to LEED Building Design and Construction: Hospitality (BD&C) standards.
Long-term commitment to the environment
As part of its sustainability programs, Sani/Ikos Group has made an important “triple” commitment to the environment: achieving Net Zero emissions by 2030, eliminating all single-use plastics and achieving zero waste in landfills by the end of 2024.
- All Sani and Ikos resorts are already carbon neutral and source 100% of their electricity from renewable sources.
- The Sani/Ikos Group is investing extensively in renewable energy, energy saving systems, and electrification of its facilities and fleets.
- Single-use plastics have been phased out in all visitor areas with the aim of eliminating them completely by the end of 2024.
- All resorts reuse 100% of their water for garden irrigation, using water treatment plants.
- The Group’s circular economy practices also include composting organic waste, artificial intelligence (AI) applications to reduce food waste in kitchens and recycling more than 20 different materials, including coffee capsules, candles and textiles to expand to other hotel operations.
More information on the Group’s sustainability initiatives is available in the ESG Report.
The Sani/Ikos Group
The Sani/Ikos Group is an innovative, dynamically growing hotel group, with luxury complexes in unique Mediterranean seaside destinations. Through its Sani Resort and Ikos Resorts brands, it develops and operates over 3,450 rooms and suites in 12 privately owned hotel complexes in Greece and Spain, which are among the world’s leading luxury resorts. The Group has secured new investment projects with a capacity of almost 1,000 rooms, suites and villas for the expansion of the Ikos brand in Greece (Crete) and Portugal (Algarve), while new destinations are in the plans. The aim of the Sani/Ikos Group is to continue the development of the Sani Resort and Ikos Resorts brands in Greece and abroad, offering unparalleled hospitality to its guests and creating growth prospects for its people, significant benefits for the ecosystems surrounding its hotels, as well as value for its shareholders. A pioneer in sustainable tourism, the Group has developed an ambitious strategic sustainability plan (ESG) and is a member of the UN Global Compact.
