Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore will emphasize sustainable development as it undertakes millions of dollars’ worth of upgrades. Both integrated resorts (IRs) in Singapore—Sentosa, a Genting Singapore property, and Marina Bay Sands, a Sands China property—have agreed to major expansions as a condition of their ongoing duopoly.
In 2019, both IRs committed to spending S$4.5 billion ($3.3 billion) to expanding and renovate their facilities and were granted more casino capacity as a result, reports Asia Gaming Brief.
The plans were disrupted by Covid, but Genting is confident the recovery is underway and will invest $400 million this year to improve the resort, with sustainability a central focus. In an email to AGB, Loh Su Kim, vice president of sustainability at Resorts World Sentosa, wrote, “The business case for sustainable building and facilities design has never been clearer, even though the specifics of how to achieve higher levels of sustainability are evolving.
“However, construction of buildings that have minimal impact to the environment and at the same time remain practical, economical and comfortable requires a complex, integrative and holistic approach.”
She said the group is working with partners to test innovative building design and solutions in its properties, which will then be adapted for scalability across RWS2.0.
“The biggest challenge faced by many organizations is striking a delicate balance between business growth and sustainability which involves a fundamental shift from a traditional view of “business profitability” to one of “broader environmental and social impact,” she said. “Given that more than ever, the global community is relying on the public and private sector to lead the way in tackling escalating climate change concerns, the onus lies with business leaders to figure out the right balance between short-term and long-term priorities to create enhanced value for all stakeholders and a harmonious relationship between Plant, People, and Business.”
Genting’s 2030 Sustainability Master Plan seeks to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent and increasing its renewable energy capacity fourfold. It is also looking at ways of conserving biodiversity and of reducing the carbon footprint of its supply chains.
A refreshed Singapore Oceanarium is being positioned as a champion of marine education and environmental protection. “Backed by rich marine science knowledge, engaging exhibits will provide immersive and multi-sensory storytelling of the evolution of the oceans’ inhabitants, fascinating oceanic zones such as the largely unexplored deep ocean, as well as unique representations of Singapore’s coastal ecosystems,” wrote Kim.
