Nestled in the serene village of Canyonleigh, Canyonleigh Retreat offers a tranquil escape in the heart of the Southern Highlands of New South Wales.
Guided by a deep commitment to sustainability, and with funding support from Destination New South Wales, Canyonleigh Retreat engaged with the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard to evaluate its environmental and social impact and identify opportunities for improvement. The Scorecard assesses the four pillar of sustainability – Sustainable Management, Environmental, Socio-economic and Cultural Impacts and provided Canyonleigh Retreat with a structured framework to evaluate and advance its sustainability efforts.
“Our primary reason for undertaking the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard was to strengthen our dedication to sustainable practices. We wanted a thorough evaluation to help us better understand our current impact, pinpoint areas for growth, and drive us towards adopting more environmentally friendly and socially responsible actions that align with our core values,” said Kushma Chand, Director at Canyonleigh Retreat
The Scorecard report provided valuable insights, allowing the team at Canyonleigh Retreat to evaluate different sustainability areas and gain a clearer understanding of their current standing.
Kushma explained, “the report was incredibly insightful. It helped us assess each section closely and identify both new requirements and areas of strength. We were pleased to see Sustainability Management highlighted as one of our key strengths. Following the report, we’ve connected with key individuals to shape our sustainability goals and work towards becoming a certified ecotourism operator.”
With the insights gained from the Scorecard, Canyonleigh Retreat has already started making improvements and setting goals for long-term sustainability. Some of these improvements include, introducing an eco-friendly woodfired fire tub as an alternative spa option and installed a solar-powered swimming pool to enhance its sustainability efforts. The on-site café has become a vibrant community hub, supporting crop bartering and offering seasonal, organically grown meals. Strengthening its cultural connections, Canyonleigh Retreat has partnered with the Aboriginal Leaders Group and will proudly host their upcoming conference. Additionally, the retreat is launching its Food Independence Workshops, aimed at educating guests on growing their own food and transitioning to a more sustainable future.
“Our next steps involve working towards certification with Ecotourism Australia. More importantly, we’ve already initiated actions in key areas that needed improvement. While this process is ongoing, we continue refining our existing practices, recognising that sustainability is a long-term commitment to environmental stewardship,” remarked Kushma.
By completing the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard, Canyonleigh Retreat has strengthened its commitment to sustainability and taken a significant step toward achieving globally recognised certification. The Scorecard empowers tourism businesses to embed sustainable practices into their operations, contributing to a greener future. With the support of Destination New South Wales who funded Canyonleigh Retreats Scorecard and our founding partner, Tourism Australia, we continue to champion the Strive 4 Sustainability program—encouraging more businesses to embrace sustainability and enhance their impact on the tourism industry.
You can learn more about Canyonleigh Retreat and book your visit here.
Canyonleigh Retreat completed their Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard on 19 August 2024. The scorecard is not a certification and is valid for 12 months upon completion.
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