Eco Sustainability and Circular Economy

Ycona is committed to going beyond mere hospitality byembracing its core values, which serve as the foundation of itseco-sustainability efforts and local content development. The dedicated team atYcona aspires to educate and train the next generation of talent from nearbyschools, including Uroa and Marumbi, with the goal of offering them employmentopportunities in positions of responsibility in the future. This initiative notonly promotes diversity and self-determination but also fosters a sense of communityempowerment.

By investing in the education and training of local youth,Ycona aims to contribute to the preservation of our planet and the beautifulisland of Zanzibar. Additionally, this initiative helps stimulate the localeconomy, showcasing the richness and potential of Tanzania as a nation.

At Ycona, we are deeply committed to our mission andeco-dream. As part of our dedication to sustainability and socialresponsibility, we pledge to allocate 5% of all guest bookings made directlythrough our website to the "Ycona SDG Fund." These funds will beutilized to support the Ycona eco-projects, ensuring that our guests activelyparticipate in our sustainability initiatives.

Ycona actively promotes all 17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) established by the United Nations and aligns with the 2030 sustainableagenda. By integrating these goals into our operations and initiatives, westrive to create a positive impact on the environment, society, and economy,making a meaningful contribution to a more sustainable future for all.

Ycona is dedicated to achieving carbon neutrality within the next decade, striving to eliminate CO2 emissions entirely through a series of innovative initiatives. From its inception, Ycona has prioritized sustainability, harnessing a significant portion of renewable energy sources to make a substantial positive impact on the environment.

Since day one of the design process, Ycona has collaborated with selected suppliers committed to utilizing recycled materials and plastics. This deliberate choice minimizes our environmental footprint and underscores our commitment to sustainability.

An integral aspect of our approach is our conscious decision to limit the construction of the resort to 40 villas, despite having the capacity to accommodate 300 hotel rooms within our expansive 60,000-square-meter property. This decision reflects our respect for the local environment and vegetation, aligning with our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, particularly those pertaining to sustainable consumption and production (Goal 12), climate action (Goal 13), and biodiversity conservation (Goal 15).

Our investment in preserving and enhancing the natural landscape extends to the extensive planting of trees and plants throughout the resort. With over one million plants within our grounds, we've made a substantial commitment to biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. This lush tropical vegetation not only enhances the beauty of our surroundings but also plays a crucial role in our CO2 sequestration efforts.

Furthermore, the privacy and tranquility of each of our 40 independent villas are ensured by the luxuriant tropical vegetation that surrounds them. This vegetation acts as a natural buffer, contributing significantly to our CO2 sequestration targets while providing guests with a serene and immersive experience amidst nature.

Ycona is committed to leading the way in sustainable hospitality practices by integrating renewable energy solutions into its building structures. Our innovative approach includes fitting Ycona-branded air conditioning systems powered by solar panels, ensuring that our operations are powered by clean, renewable energy sources.

Our on-grid solar panel design covers over c.a. 65% of our energy needs, utilizing photovoltaic solar panels on all roofs and high-efficiency solar thermal solutions for water heating. With this strategy, Ycona aspires to become the first carbon-neutral eco-resort in East Africa within the next decade.

Our engineering team has developed Ycona-branded solar air conditioning systems and solar thermal solutions, setting a new standard for quality and sustainability in the industry. These cutting-edge systems can be customized and implemented in other hotels seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and embrace renewable energy solutions.

Additionally, we're enhancing energy efficiency across the resort by installing energy-efficient electric bulbs and solar lamps along major pathways.

Looking ahead, Ycona is exploring opportunities for further expansion towards carbon neutrality and becoming a fully renewable energy eco-resort. These initiatives are part of our ongoing dedication to achieving Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, specifically targeting clean energy (Goal 7), energy efficiency (Goal 9), and sustainable communities (Goal 11).

At Ycona, sustainability isn't just a goal—it's a fundamental principle guiding our operations and shaping our vision for a brighter, greener future.

Ycona is deeply committed to fostering local content enhancement and development, with a specific focus on goals 4 (education) and 5 (gender equality). To this end, we are launching initiatives under the Ycona ESG fund, which will enable us to establish the "Ycona Training Centre." This center will serve as a hub for training and developing the next generation of Ycona employees over the coming decade.

Our approach emphasizes not only excellence in the hospitality sector but also a comprehensive understanding of sustainability principles. We recognize that education is the cornerstone of progress, and by supporting nearby Marumbi local schools, we will lay the groundwork for the planning and construction of the training center. This investment will empower local youth with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the hospitality industry while championing sustainability.

In line with our commitment to gender equality and diversity, Ycona will ensure a balanced workforce that promotes meritocracy and treats all genders and diversities equitably. By fostering a culture of inclusion and equal opportunity, we aim to combat gender discrimination and create a workplace where everyone can succeed based on their abilities and contributions.

By adhering to these principles, Ycona not only contributes to the achievement of ESG goal 8 (decent work and economic growth) but also supports its employees with special social support packages. Through these initiatives, we aspire to create a workplace where every individual feels valued, empowered, and supported in their professional growth and personal development.

Ycona is deeply committed to promoting biological, healthy foods and supporting farm-to-table initiatives. We take pride in offering our guests locally sourced, organic ingredients, beginning with our very own Ycona Botanic Garden. Here, guests can witness the cultivation of vegetables and fruits that will eventually grace their plates, tended to by our dedicated local gardeners. To ensure sustainability, our irrigation system will utilize collected humidity from the air.

In line with our stance against chemical pesticides, we exclusively use biological products to cultivate our produce. As Zanzibar is renowned as the spice island, all spices featured in our dishes are sourced directly from the fragrant Ycona Spice Garden.

Our commitment to healthy, conscious eating extends to our poultry, ducks, and eggs, which will be sourced directly from our Ycona farm. By prioritizing seasonal fruits and vegetables and promoting healthy menus, we align with ESG goal 3, which advocates for good health and well-being.

Respecting the local ecosystem (ESG goal 15) and preserving the ocean's wonders (ESG goal 14) are integral to our ethos. Through conscientious practices and initiatives, we strive to minimize our environmental impact while maximizing our contributions to the well-being of our planet.

Nestled within the Ycona Botanic Garden, Mama Africa restaurant embodies our farm-to-table philosophy. Here, guests can indulge in cuisine crafted from locally sourced ingredients, tantalizing their taste buds with flavors that reflect the essence of our region.

Access to clean water in Tanzania is a pressing issue, and at Ycona, we are deeply committed to preserving this precious resource and minimizing water consumption. Our efforts align with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals 6 (clean water) and 14 (ocean preservation).

Central to our approach is raising awareness among both guests and employees about the importance of respecting and conserving water. We have implemented specific practices and tools aimed at reducing water consumption and promoting responsible usage. Reducing water consumption during the showers, limiting the number of towels and bedsheet per day to reduce the energy and water used in the laundry, water re-cycling processes implementation, rain-water accumulation and utilization for gardening and the implementation of an innovative water treatment plant are the keys.

As part of our circular economy initiatives, we have partnered with a Netherlands-based company to install a cutting-edge water treatment system. This system enables us to offer locally treated water of the highest quality to our guests in glass bottles, thereby minimizing plastic waste. This initiative complements the farm-to-table concept of our Mama Africa restaurant, situated within the Ycona Botanic Garden.

Through these concerted efforts, we aim not only to minimize our environmental impact but also to provide our guests with an authentic and sustainable experience that respects and preserves the natural beauty of Tanzania.

At Ycona, circular economy practices are fundamental to our organizational ethos, serving as foundational pillars of our operations. These initiatives are intricately linked to our waste management practices, as we strive to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency.

Through the Ycona ESG fund project, we are implementing specific initiatives focused on waste reutilization. For instance, waste food will be repurposed in composters to create high-efficiency biological fertilizers for our gardens. Additionally, we have developed innovative techniques to harness seaweed washed up on the beach during certain periods of the year, transforming it into nutrient-rich organic compost to nourish our lush vegetation.

Central to our approach is raising awareness among both our employees and the local community about the importance of waste reduction and recycling. We prioritize the use of recycled materials and emphasize the harmful impact of plastic pollution on the ocean and our planet. To this end, we have developed targeted programs to educate and engage our employees and surrounding communities in the principles of the 3Rs: Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle.

By fostering a culture of sustainability and responsible resource management, we are not only minimizing our environmental footprint but also contributing to the long-term health and resilience of our planet. Together, we are building a more sustainable future for generations to come.