Keeping in mind that the hotel industry is responsible for around 1% of global carbon emissions and the global Sustainable Hospitality Alliance has set a pathway for the industry to achieve a Zero Nett Carbon footprint, Kapama Private Game Reserve highlights some of its strategies to meet the growing demand from tourists for low-carbon travel.
Background and research
Research shows that the hotel industry needs to reduce its carbon emissions by 66% per room by 2030 to ensure that the growth forecast does not lead to a corresponding increase in carbon emissions.
According to Skift Research, 83% of global travellers say sustainable travel is vital. In addition, industry sustainability reports show that 73% of travellers are likelier to choose accommodation that has implemented sustainability practices, helping them to improve their own environmental and social footprint.
Bernard Roode, MD of Kapama, explained: “At Kapama, we have taken the next step in our sustainability journey to reduce our impact on the environment, lower our carbon footprint and increase our conservation efforts, protecting valuable savannah ecosystems which, in themselves, are critically important carbon sinks.”
He pointed out that Kapama’s newly completed solar plant was successfully commissioned and is the first one of its size for safari lodges in South Africa.
“Engineered and installed by AME Power Solutions, the optimum size of the plant was calculated to ensure sufficient power to run the biggest of our four lodges, Kapama River Lodge. The solar plant produces close to 700 000 kW per day. This is enough to power River Lodge during the day and push additional power into the grid that is taken out again after sunset.”
According to Roode, this has resulted in Kapama being able to reduce its carbon footprint by over 32% from 2021 levels. In practical terms, this reduction in carbon emissions is roughly the equivalent of planting thirty to forty thousand trees each year.
Successful implementation
Roode highlighted that identifying the correct area to build the solar plant was crucial. “Our environmental partners, Nu Leaf, were responsible for ecological studies of the site and obtaining compliance for the solar plant. Ecologists identified protected tree species that needed protection.”
The submission was made to the Limpopo Provincial Government and the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism to ensure Environmental Authorisation Compliance. As a result, the correct area was approved and a total of 9 425sqm was prepared for the solar plant, ensuring minimum harm to protected tree species.
A total of 23 solar tables were installed, each holding 54 solar panels, totalling 1 242. Panels were placed at an optimum angle of 20 degrees to ensure maximum solar efficiency. The panels were manufactured by JA Solar, a company widely recognised as one of the world’s best.
“This sizeable investment has reduced our dependence on coal power energy to almost zero for River Lodge. Our guests are very aware of their carbon footprint. With Kapama being a long-haul destination, implying a high use of carbon, it is important that their destination is an environmentally responsible establishment,” commented Roode.
“Following the implementation of this solar plant and a recent Carbon Footprint Audit undertaken by ETC-Africa, it was decided to switch both Kapama Karula and Southern Camp lodges to solar power in December 2022, potentially reducing our carbon footprint by an additional 15% on 2021 levels.
“These internal reductions from converting to solar combined with plans for converting barren farmlands to productive savannah ecosystems as a carbon offset project could see Kapama becoming carbon neutral in the very near future.”
Policies for sustainability
Roode pointed out that Kapama’s drive for sustainable tourism included numerous policies. “We source food locally and carefully plan all menus. Our food waste feeds the pigs of the local farmers. We purify our water from a sustainable source and recycle used water in our gardens. We have a system to recycle cans, glass and paper, and the minimum waste goes to the municipal dumping ground.”
Furthermore, Kapama’s commitment to lowering its emissions resulted in installing low-energy-consuming inverted air-conditioners and a water heating system powered by low-pressure solar water panels.
