31 May 2016
Two Bunch Palms finds success with carbon-neutral plan
BY Jane Kitchen
California’s mineral springs wellness facility Two Bunch Palms found triple-bottom-line success in transforming itself into a carbon-neutral property, according to Kevin Kelly, former CEO of Two Bunch Palms, who is now CEO of real estate-oriented lifestyle company Civano Living.
“The term triple-bottom-line (TBL) refers to the economic, social and environmental benefit or loss of an investment, but balancing the three can be tough for businesses,” said Kelly in a letter to Spa Business.
Two Bunch Palms partnered with Pear Energy to build a 550-kw solar facility that generated the equivalent of the resort’s annual electrical needs, and the capital investment generated a 10.5 - 12 per cent ROI through tax credits and cash payments, based on a 21-year amortisation schedule, said Kelly. Additionally, the company’s energy bill dropped 6 per cent and the resort is less susceptible to public utility hikes.
“These savings flowed straight to the bottom line and can proportionately reduce operating expenses if energy costs rise in the future,” said Kelly. “Equally important, since 80 per cent of Two Bunch Palms’s spa-oriented target market resonated with being environmentally responsible, the brand was better aligned with its customers’ core values, which enhanced consumer loyalty.”
When the resort introduced a solar field, it was able to generate more than 500,000 hours of electricity, conserve 14m gallons of water and offset the equivalent of 200,000 pounds of carbon from entering the atmosphere.
“In my experience, TBL is definitely achievable and by doing good, businesses can do well by reducing operating costs, having a deeper connection with customers, and helping the planet along the way,” said Kelly.
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