This document discusses designing practical sustainability in South Pacific island states. It provides background on Helen Sykes and her work in environmental impact assessments, sustainable tourism training, and marine protected area management in Fiji since 1996. It then describes booklets and online resources created between 2001-2003 that provide simple checklists and guidelines for sustainable tourism and village-based tourism developments in Fiji. The guidelines address construction, energy and water use, waste management, emissions, landscaping, suppliers, staff and local communities. The document emphasizes finding a balance between development and environmental preservation for long term profit and sustainability. Resources are available on the author's website and Moodle page.

1. Designing Practical
Sustainability
in South Pacific
Island States
Helen Sykes
Resort Support
www.resortsupportfiji.com
Marine Ecology Consulting
www.marineecologyfiji.com

2. Helen Sykes
www.resortsupportfiji.com www.marineecologyfiji.com
Worked in:
UK,
Saudi Arabia (Middle East)
St Maarten (Caribbean)
Honduras (Central America)
In Fiji since 1996:
Environmental Impact Assessments
Sustainable Tourism Training
Marine Protected Area Management
Study Abroad Student Programmes
Marine Ecologist,
Dive Instructor
Resort Manager

3. On-line Resources (Moodle)
Booklets written 2001 - 2003
Checklist for
Sustainable
Tourism
Developments
Two simplified
versions for
sustainable
village-based
tourism
developments in
English and
Fijian languages
Review of
wastewater
management in Fiji’s
Tourism industry

4. Most South Pacific marketing features
the natural environment in some way

5. All levels of development need to
preserve their environment

6. 2003 booklet has simple check-list
style guidelines for ease of use
 Set of instructions
for developing a
sustainable
operation
 Assessment of
existing
development
 Improvement
suggestions
 Practical measures

7. What?

8. Why?
 Not everyone wants
to “save the planet”
 There must be sound
business reasons for
doing so

9. How?
Simple checklist
format explains:
 what to do
 how to do it
 the main
points you
need to know
about it

10. 1. Construction and Building Design
For the detailed points under each of the eight categories, refer to the publication:
“Making Small Hotels And Resorts Environmentally Sustainable: A Simple Checklist For Fiji Operators”
Fiji Integrated Coastal Management Project 2003

11. 2. Minimising Energy Use
http://www.ladyelliot.com.au/
http://matava.com/ecology/conservation-and-
the-environment/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqpQZd9XxJM
https://www.digitaltrends.com/home/best-window-air-
conditioners/

12. 3. Minimising Water Use
https://www.motherearthnews.com/green-homes/low-flow-toilets-zmaz06aszraw
https://fixatap.com.au/drip-calculator

13. 4. Minimising Rubbish and Garbage
https://borgenproject.org/tag/poor-water-quality/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/860961653734169341/
https://www.singleportions.co.uk/duerrs-assorted-jams---
new-smaller-14g-portions-1950-p.asp

14. 5. Minimising Discharge and Emissions

15. 6. Landscape Management
https://www.travelonline.com/fiji/mamanuca-
islands/accommodation/musket-cove-island-resort
https://www.seniorsnews.com.au/news/travel-time-for-
fabulous-fun-in-fiji/3153420/

16. 7. Suppliers and Contractors
http://theconversation.com/plastic-packaging-
is-often-pollution-for-profit-95015
https://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/morrison
s-first-supermarket-ban-fruit-plastic-packaging-546557

17. 8. Staff and Local Communities
https://www.iucn.org/content/first-waste-art-workshop-series

18. Appendix and information boxes
with practical measures
Basic information on self-cooling buildings, sustainable toilet
systems, compost piles, non-polluting supplies, seawall use etc.

19. Finding the balance
No development:
 no money or jobs
 overuse of natural resources
Too much or careless development:
 initial profit
 environmental damage
 short project life span
Balance of careful development:
 long term profit
 environmental preservation
 sustainable project
https://andrewlainton.wordpress.com/2011/06/01/national-planning-policy-
framework-forensics1-sustainable-development-definition/

20. Vinaka!
Resources available on Moodle:
 “Making Small Hotels And Resorts Environmentally
Sustainable: A Simple Checklist For Fiji Operators”
Fiji Integrated Coastal Management Project 2003
 Simple guidelines for Village Tourism (English language)
 Simple guidelines for Village Tourism (Fijian language)
Also see website:
https://www.marineecologyfiji.com/fiji-checklist-sustainable-tourism-development-the-green-book/