Responsible Green Travel to Grenada
Sustainable eco-tourism in Grenada
The government of Grenada has initiated a number of sustainability and resilience programs. They include:
- National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
- National Capacity Self-Assessment
- National Climate Change Policy
- Pilot Program on Climate Resilience
- Sustainable Land Management Policy
- National Hazard Mitigation Policy
- National Environmental Management Policy, Strategy and Action Plan.
In 2018 Grenada’s Ministry of the Environment mandated the Non-Biodegradable Waste Control Act to ban polystyrene (Styrofoam) and single-use plastics such as shopping bags, plastic utensils, plates, straws and cups. The phased program is scheduled to be completed and in effect by March 2021.
The Grenada National Trust, whose mandate is to protect Grenada’s cultural, architectural and natural heritage, produced the Grenada Heritage book in 2020, which serves as a documentary record of heritage and history of historical buildings, landscapes, and memorial places of the islands. They have also developed an excellent phone app, the Grenada Heritage Map which highlights over 50 points of interest on the islands, focusing on natural landscapes and architectural buildings/landmarks. The Trust is currently developing a “virtual tour” of Grenada’s cultural and heritage sites that can be viewed on computing devices.
Grenada has made a request to UNESCO for the St. George Historic District / Fortified System to be recognized as Cultural World Heritage sites. In the 18th century, the low lying and hilly areas around the natural harbour of St George’s was built up to include eight forts and various townships. Today, the remains of Fort George, Fort Frederick & Fort Mathew surround the Historical District of St. George’s.
Grenada’s National Parks, Forests, Reserves and Marine Parks:
The Annandale Grand Etang Forest Reserve, also known as the Grand Etang National Park is home to a large crater lake, rainforest and several waterfalls. The island’s most popular park for hiking is filled with a diverse collection of flora and fauna including large trees, ferns, colourful flowers and birds, along with frogs, lizards and a few small mammals, including Mona monkeys.
Levera National Park covers 450 acres, including a long coastline with a great beach as well as a mangrove wetland called Levere Pond. Grenada’s only Ramsar site features a Boardwalk with an observation tower, making it an ideal location for birding and relaxing. The beach and nearby hills offer spectacular views of a number of small offshore islands as well as the southern Grenadines. The area is also home to nesting leatherback turtles.
The Morne Gazo Nature Reserve is an eco-tourism ‘birding’ site with rainforest walking trails, including a hilltop observation area with facilities and an amazing panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean.
The Mount Hartman National Park / Dove Sanctuary is a unique area on the island with over 150 acres of dry forest woodlands and mangroves, however the area is under constant threat of development. Intended as a ‘birding’ paradise, this park is home to the last remaining endemic Grenada Doves.
Carriacou’s High North Nature Reserve / National Park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna and offers spectacular panoramic views of Carriacou and Grenada and nearby Grenadine Islands from the island’s highest peak.
Moliniere Bay / Molinière-Beauséjour Marine Protected Area encompasses a portion of the west coast including Flamingo Bay, Dragon Bay and Moliniere Point. The area contains healthy coral reefs and a diversity of marine life as well as the famous Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park.
Carriacou’s Marine Protected Area encompasses the coastal waters from Tyrell Bay, around Sandy Island and Mabouya Island. These waters are cherished for great snorkeling and diving.
In terms of Accommodations, Grenada offers the following “environmentally friendly” options:
True Blue Bay Boutique Resort bills itself as a “Sustainable ECO-Friendly Caribbean Resort”. Their accomplishments and efforts include:
- Solar water heaters are installed in all the rooms and restaurant kitchens
- Solar panels provide 30% of electricity needs (concentrated on Tree Tops, Cocoa Pods and Spa)
- Energy-saving air-conditioning units installed in all rooms
- Low energy bulbs and fans are installed throughout the resort and rooms
- Electric golf carts used to transfer luggage and guests
- Recycled wastewater is used to irrigate the gardens
- Rainwater is collected and stored for the dry season
- Some of our vegetables and herbs are grown on-site; All restaurant vegetable and biodegradable waste is used for compost to fertilize our gardens and Non-vegetable food waste is given to local farmers to use for pig food
- A Biogas generator that uses garden and restaurant waste to produce methane to fuel our bakery is planned shortly
Blue Horizons Garden Resort calls itself “Grenada’s Eco-Friendly Resort Experience” and is proud to be Grenada’s first Green Globe Gold-certified resort. The Resort’s Sustainability Management Plan includes standards and practices relating to Environmental, Sociocultural, Quality and Health & Safety
Mount Cinnamon Resort & Beach Club is a Green Globe Gold-certified resort employing environmentally friendly practices that include: Energy conservation; Recycling; Growing a garden filled of vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers. Their Environmental Officer is responsible for ensuring ongoing environmental performance, managing environmental risks, and implementing environmental and social sustainability measures. The resort also participates in the Pack for a Purpose Program.
Spice Island Beach Resort embraces a multitude of environmental practices and is a Green Globe Gold-certified resort. The resort’s Green Team’s environmental program include:
- Hot water solar heating
- Energy-efficient light bulbs / timers and photocell systems on outdoor lights
- Home-grown kitchen herb gardens and Natural composting
Other Grenada hotels and resorts are reported to be sustainable and environmentally friendly, however their websites do not provide any evidence. They include Cabier Ocean Lodge, and Calabash (Pack for a purpose program).
Energy Sustainability – Electrical Power Production in Grenada
Current energy for Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique is almost entirely provided by petroleum-fueled diesel generators. While the islands have ideal geological and weather attributes sufficient to generate renewable electrical power from natural geothermal, solar and wind sources, Grenada has struggled with the transition. The island’s electricity provider GRENLEC was privatized in the 1990s, and the American company in control had little interest in diversifying with renewable power. After a lengthy court battle (and millions of dollars in settlement fees), Grenlec is now back in the hands of the Grenada government. As of 2021, Grenada is targeting to have over 30% of their electricity generated from renewable sources by 2030, and is currently seeking funding assistance to help them achieve those goals.
That said, 20% of Petite Martinique’s electricity is currently being provided by a 32KW PV (solar) system. Also of note is Grenada Solar Power Ltd (Grensol) is providing photovoltaic (solar) systems to numerous (>40) private customers, including some ‘net-metering’ grid interconnection with GRENLEC since 2005. Solar water heating is also being used on some private residences, hotels and other commercial buildings on the island. One resort on Grenada is utilizing an 80-KW wind turbine to help power their buildings. Still in operation?
Additional greenhouse gas emissions are being reduced through energy efficiency programs. Some of the government initiatives underway include:
- Demand-side energy efficiency programs
- The replacement of incandescent lights with fluorescent lights
- The Government Energy Efficiency Program, which targets a 10% reduction in government electricity use
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