Basking in Barbados
Sustainability in Barbados
Words by Kat Romero
As the birthplace of the Caribbean’s sweet and earthy rum, the host of the esteemed Food and Rum Festival, started in 2009, and the famed national dish of flying fish stew, you may be forgiven for thinking Barbados’ biggest draw is its vibrant culinary scene. And while that does attract foodies from across the globe, this coral island is also home to some 80 pristine white-sand beaches, turquoise waters and a rich marine landscape. As a tourist hotspot, with a reported nearly one million visitors a year, it’s important to the islanders that they maintain and sustain the beautiful scenery and delicate ecosystems of Barbados. So much so, the island has been hailed as a leader in green development in the Caribbean.
And there are so many wonderful ways to practise sustainable tourism when you visit Barbados, allowing travellers to feel as though they are appreciating and also maintaining it for future generations.
Giving back to the community
Something that really promotes a sense of purpose is the vast array of volunteer schemes on offer to tourists, popularly known as voluntourism. As with many of the Caribbean islands, the community is key in Barbados and organisations have made it their mission to give back and ensure vulnerable groups in the society are catered for.
Variety Barbados – The Children’s Charity focuses on improving the quality of life for children on the island and volunteers can give their time or donations to the cause. Animal lovers can volunteer at the Ark Animal Welfare Society, which was formed in 1998 to improve the provision of care for stray dogs and now works to rehome both dogs and cats. Volunteers can dedicate their time to the animals, taking them on walks and assisting with food deliveries. Other charities are devoted to the health of the island. Future Centre Trust has a focus on sustainability, conservation and preservation, and allows volunteers to join programmes such as Clean Up Barbados, Future Trees and Green Business Barbados. Visitors can also get their hands dirty by planting trees at various locations, including Coco Hill Forest, a 53-acre agrotourism project that boasts 3km of picturesque hiking trails overlooking the east coast of the island.
Barbados’ marine life is one of its biggest attractions with two of the rarest sea creatures, the hawksbill and the leatherback turtles, calling the island home. Once hunted for their meat, eggs and shells, their population size has been dramatically reduced. Encouragingly, the turtles are now protected with a ban on hunting, and visitors to the island can get involved with The Barbados Sea Turtle Project to help ensure the future of these fascinating creatures. Volunteers in the project will get to witness the turtles in their natural habitat as they assist baby turtles with their journey to shore and protect the nesting sites.
Barbados' marine life is one of the biggest attractions with two of the rarest sea creatures, hawksbill and leatherback turtles calling it home.
Staying green
Barbados is home to a wealth of hotels catering to all tastes and budgets. But in 2019, political activist David Comissiong urged the Caribbean islands to go green, with a particular focus on the hotel industry. His definition of a green hotel was one that employed staff from the local community, sourced produce from local farmers and businesses, and featured locally crafted furniture and art.
As a result of this, many hotels on the island now have such things as more energy-efficient LED lighting as standard, and offer guests a ‘green stay’ option, which allows them to reuse sheets or bottles and enjoy smaller meals to reduce food waste. The island’s culinary offerings are becoming increasingly sustainably sourced with a focus on local produce and supporting local businesses. Many of the restaurants base their menus on seasonable items and the availability of fresh fish and meat. Some restaurants are also choosing to use alternative sources of power rather than Barbados Light and Power, which imports fossil fuels and is the island’s sole electricity utility provider. Local businesses are also urged to assess their water use practices as it’s a scarce commodity on the island.
The island's culinary offerings are becoming increasingly sustainably sourced with a focus on local produce
For holidaymakers wanting to taste the freshest produce, there are several food markets to visit, including Cheapside Market and Brighton Farmers Market. The island has taken bold steps to reduce its use of single-use plastic. In 2018, legislation banned the import of single-use plastic and later that year, the sale and distribution of it. In 2020, a ban was placed on petrol-based plastic bags (excluding those used for pharmaceuticals, hygiene products and food).
The eco-efforts of Barbados have been so extensive and considered, it has been hailed by many for leading the way in sustainable tourism. And the island shows no signs of slowing down – it was revealed in 2020 that its goal is to become 100% renewable by 2030, an accomplishment that would make Barbados the first 100% green and fossil fuel free island-state in the world.
Good news from Barbados
Barbados has a rich history of sustainability, with the island using solar technology since the 1970s and saving an estimated US$130m as a result.
An estimated 125,000 trees have been planted in Barbados since 2019, following the launch of the One Tree For Every Bajan programme.
Not only are the island’s businesses, such as restaurants and hotels, using solar power but an estimated 2,500 homes have installed it too.
Turtles were once facing the threat of extinction yet thanks to Barbados’ conservation projects, including The Barbados Sea Turtle Project, the population is on the rise.
4 Faves in Barbados
Eat Local, Eat Well
La Cabane restaurant is situated at Batts Rock Beach and is a popular spot with locals and tourists alike. Almost 100% of its menu is locally sourced and it focuses on organic produce. Owner Papajules is a health enthusiast and offers healthy breakfasts that include detox juices and employs local sommeliers and mixologists for its alcoholic offerings. You can also enjoy a variety of wellness activities at the restaurant, including paddle boarding, swimming lessons, cardio and meditation.
Village life
Oistins Bay Gardens is a great example of how Barbados supports not only local produce but also the community that provides it. This famous fishing village is located in Christ Church and visitors can hand pick their ‘catch of the day’ and then choose to have it grilled or fried in front of them. It’s an incredible way to support Barbados’ local fishing community and not many dishes on the island can claim to be fresher.
Under the Surface
The dive company Eco Dive Barbados aims to provide clients with unique and personalised experiences of the island and its varied ecosystems. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned professional, the expert dive team works with you to make you feel as confident and assured as possible in the water. And the dives are a true celebration of Barbados’ marine life, allowing you to explore the island like never before and witness sea creatures in their natural habitat without disturbing them.
Step Back in Time
Founded in 1933, the not-for-profit Barbados Museum and Historical Society offers endless information about Barbados’ rich history and how the diverse groups of its past, including indigenous people, settlers and Africans, helped to build the vibrant community we know today. The museum’s biggest aim is to collect, preserve and interpret Barbadian heritage for its communities. Interactive experiences include furnishings of an 18th-century plantation house and a fascinating collection of historical maps of the island.
Where to stay in Barbados
Beach View Hotel
This four-star family-run hotel is nestled on five acres of lushly landscaped gardens, just across from the stunning turquoise waters of Paynes Bay. Beach View Hotel has long been committed to sustainable tourism – not only does it maintain and adhere to all possible green practices, such as its active use of alternative green energy generated from solar panels and smart sensors on site, but it also understands the role the local community plays in providing guests with an authentic Barbadian experience. The hotel is dedicated to upholding its social responsibility with local employment, supporting community-based endeavours, and promoting cultural heritage.
Eco Lifestyle + Lodge
ECO Lifestyle + Lodge is located in Bathsheba, a charming, easy-going village on the east coast of Barbados visited by locals, surfers and visitors in the know. The owners of this hotel always keep sustainability at the forefront of their operations. For example, the hotel restaurant, ECO, serves an innovative farm- and sea-to-table menu that showcases locally sourced, organic ingredients that celebrate the vibrant flavours of the island. They’ve also developed their own water, Eco Sky Water, to replace bottled water across the property. Powered by solar energy, they extract water from thin air, add minerals and bottle it into glass bottles and plant-based sports bottles right in their solar-powered facility!
02 Beach Club & Spa
The five-star O2 Beach Club & Spa transports you to a place of pure relaxation and guests are encouraged to ‘breathe it all in’. It’s easy to be green when staying here and the little things make a big difference in this tropical island paradise. By embracing a few simple actions, guests can play their part in promoting sustainability and protecting the island’s environment during their stay too. The hotel prioritises the environment by choosing renewable energy sources and eco-friendly cleaning products. It has its own EV charging point for travellers wanting to rent a car, and actively supports the restoration of the turtle population alongside the Barbados Sea Turtle Project
Little Arches Boutique Hotel
Little Arches Boutique Hotel is dreamy by nature. An adults-only hideaway on the south coast of just 10 rooms and suites offers affordable luxury and is like no other on the island. Tucked away next to the flawless white sands of Enterprise Beach, Little Arches is home to the ultra-romantic Café Luna, its award-winning rooftop restaurant. The hotel is Green Globe Gold certified and is proud to support Pack For A Purpose, a charity initiative that encourages you to use space in your luggage to provide supplies for the communities you visit.
Want to find out more?
Read more from the Sustainable Caribbean supplement of Charitable Traveller, find out more about the island’s sustainability practices, or head to the Barbados page to find out more.
by net effect