Responsible Green Travel to Antigua & Barbuda
Sustainable Eco-Tourism in Antigua & Barbuda
In 1984, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda designated four National Parks recognized for their unique historical and natural characteristics in order to preserve Antigua’s cultural and environmental heritage.
- Nelson’s Dockyard National Park
- Devil’s Bridge National Park (Indian Town Point)
- Green Castle Hill National Park
- Fort Barrington National Park
Antigua has also designated an area along the lush green south-west coastline as “the Green Corridor”. The environmentally aware hotels, restaurants and activity groups in the area have agreed to a set of principles based on respect for local culture, positive influence on the local community, environmental stewardship and economic viability
Barbuda has a Frigate Bird Sanctuary (home to the largest colony of frigate birds in the Caribbean), and it’s large pristine mangrove surrounding the largest natural lagoon in the Eastern Caribbean is a RAMSAR recognized wetland area.
The Antigua Heritage Affairs Department of the National Parks Authority’s responsibilities include the conservation and preservation of the parks as well as the protection of sensitive archaeological sites, the identification and protection of endangered species. Ongoing Projects include: Water Sampling; Lionfish eradication program; and Recycling (plastics as well as Aluminium cans)
Antigua also has The EAG – Environmental Awareness Group, an NGO whose vision is “A society informed and empowered to sustainably use and manage its natural resources”. Along with providing Field Guides, Trail Guides and Reports, the EAG has been / is involved with a number of projects including: Offshore Islands Conservation Programme; Body Ponds Nature Park; Turtle Conservation Project; Conserving the Native Ferns; Caribbean Water Bird Census; Caribbean Bird Sleuth Project; White Crowned Pigeon Project; West-Indian Whistling Duck Project; The North East Marine Management Area (NEMMA) – ‘Climate Resilient Eastern Caribbean Marine Managed Areas Network’ (ECMMAN); and the Plant Conservation Project.
Antigua’s most recent and impressive environmental efforts involve the banning of plastics and styrofoam. As of Dec 31 2018, no establishment on the island is allowed to dispense plastic shopping bags or styrofoam containers and plastic utensils.
In terms of Accommodations, Antigua offers the following “environmentally friendly” options:
Curtain Bluff Resort – Green Globe Certified hotel with environmental efforts in areas such as greenhouse emission, energy efficiency, management of freshwater resources, ecosystem conservation, and waste management. Perhaps their biggest accomplishment involved upgrading their waste treatment plant to a more efficient system that also provides recycled water for irrigation.
Sugar Ridge Hotel – In 2018, this Gold Certified Green Globe Resort upgraded AC units resulting in a 40% energy efficiency improvement. 2019 initiatives include increased produce from their organic garden as well as improved water management.
The Verandah Resort & Spa – This resort’s daily operation is geared towards the ecological preservation of the local environment and their preference is to source sustainable products from local businesses. Green Globe Certified and a TripAdvisor Green Leader.
Galley Bay Resort – With it’s recycling programs and organic garden this hotel is Green Globe Certified and even has it’s own Sea Turtle Sanctuary!
Hermitage Bay – This resort provides as much of it’s food as possible from it’s own organic garden and it’s suites have been constructed from sustainable forests. It also has a nature integrated Garden Spa. Green Globe Certified.
St. James’s Club Resort & Villas – Green Globe Certified.
Energy Sustainability – Electrical Power Production in Antigua & Barbuda
The goal of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda is to reduce the islands’ reliance on imported fossil fuels for the production of electricity, and also to reduce the amount of associated CO2 emissions. Antigua and Barbuda have targeted 20% of its electricity production to be provided from renewable energy: 10% by 2020, and 15% by 2030.
Early in 2016, Antigua activated a 3 MW solar power plant at the V.C. Bird International Airport. The system utilizes 12,000 solar panels which will generate up to 4,645 MW of energy per year – Supply most of the airport’s needs.
As of late 2018, another solar park, comprised of a 4 MW solar power plant along with a 6.5 MW grid stabilizing battery storage system, started development in the Bethesda area of Antigua. This will provide an additional 6k MW of annual energy to the island.
Future projects envisioned for Antigua include solar panel installations on public building rooftops and solar car parks. The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA)’s ‘Renewable energy Antigua’ department will manage renewable energy connections, enabling potential options for electricity customers. There’s also plans for an 800 KW solar farm / battery storage facility, to be built on Barbuda.
Another APUA organization, Green Antigua, focuses efforts on improving conservation of water and electricity through Energy Conservation Tips and Water Conservation Tips, with both online in person education.
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