A staff member decorating a Christmas tree made with eco-conscious materials at Shangri-la Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu.
IN KOTA Kinabalu, a hotel has set a new benchmark in sustainable hospitality, leading the way for eco-conscious events in Malaysia and across the Shangri-La Group.
It is the first hotel in Malaysia and the first of Shangri-La’s hotels to achieve the ISO 20121 certification for sustainable event management.
With its immense responsibility in managing 186ha of land, including 26ha of forest reserve and an 18-hole championship golf course, Shangri-La Rasa Ria protects its pristine surroundings through sustainability initiatives and eco-conscious solutions that benefit both guests and the local community.
“We are proud to be pioneers in this movement as this achievement reflects our deep commitment to creating events that leave a positive impact on the environment,” said Shangri-La Rasa Ria Kota Kinabalu general manager Fiona Hagan.
“Operating a sprawling resort surrounded by lush landscapes and wildlife, requires more than just small adjustments; it demands a relentless pursuit of change.
“The decision to pursue the ISO 20121 certification was a push to go beyond the status quo, to challenge long-held practices and to embrace sustainability,” she said.
“We hope our achievement inspires more industry players to take meaningful steps to drive sustainable business events in the country,” she added.
The resort focuses beyond just minimising waste and reducing carbon footprint of events.
It actively collaborates with local suppliers and partners to empower small businesses and local artisans.
This approach ensures that sustainability is not just a practice within the resort but a movement that benefits the people and ecosystems that surround it.
A key aspect of this commitment has been the partnership with Pacos Trust, a community- based organisation dedicated to supporting indigenous communities in Sabah.
The resort’s journey towards sustainability began in 2012 with a simple yet impactful initiative that tackled glass bottle waste aside from removing all single-use plastics.
This commitment laid the foundation for the resort’s broader sustainability practices, leading to its first ISO 14001:2015 certification for environmental management, followed by ISO 22000:2018 certification for food safety.
Each certification serves a purpose in establishing a comprehensive framework for responsible operations and a seamless commitment to environmental stewardship that is a fundamental part of the resort’s identity.
In addition to the ISO certifications, the resort has also been recognised with multiple green awards.
These include the Green Hotel Certification by Malaysia’s Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry in 2023; the Gold Award for Best Sustainability Initiative (International Category) at the M&C Asia Stella Awards 2020; Asean Green Hotel Standard 2024-2026 and the 4th Asean MICE Venue Award (Meeting Room Category) at the Asean Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos.
Earning the ISO 20121 certification involved a rigorous process of self-examination, setting measurable goals, regularly monitoring its performance and continuously striving to improve sustainability efforts.
To maintain the certification, the resort must comply with all legal and regulatory requirements, in addition to transparent reporting.
