Soneva Jani's  Zero Mosquito Project aims to eliminate mosquitoes without using harmful chemicals, enhancing both health and biodiversity on the island. 

In partnership with Biogents, the resort has deployed over 500 mosquito traps across the island, including the BG-GAT and BG-Mosquitaire CO2 traps. These traps use natural attractants such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid to capture mosquitoes, reducing the population by 98%. As a result, the Culex species is nearly extinct, and the Aedes species is expected to follow. This innovative approach ensures a healthier environment for both guests and hosts.

The resort also prioritises the health of its hosts (staff) through a range of wellness initiatives. Hosts have access to fitness facilities, including gyms, tennis and padel courts, personal training sessions, and additional amenities such as a dedicated gym, football pitch, and volleyball court. Yoga, meditation, and psychological support are also available, fostering the well-being of staff members both physically and mentally.

Soneva Jani is 100% self-sufficient in water through desalination, with water filtered and treated to high-quality standards. The purified water is bottled in reusable glass containers, preventing 100,000 plastic bottles from entering the waste stream annually. Around 70% of the resort’s hosts come from the local area, and the resort also creates job opportunities for neighbouring developing countries.

The resort sources sustainably, including working directly with local fishermen who use pole-and-line methods. Through the Soneva Namoona initiative, Soneva Jani partners with 15 islands across the Baa, Noonu, and Haa Dhaal atolls, promoting sustainable waste management, marine conservation, and single-use plastic reduction. This initiative supports local charities and provides a model for environmental responsibility across the region.

By integrating health, sustainability, and community support, Soneva Jani contributes to a healthier environment and society.

Soneva’s commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering women is evident across its operations, from the sourcing of materials to the development of its workforce.

The hand-woven fabrics used in the interiors of Soneva’s villas and restaurants are sourced from Barefoot in Sri Lanka. 

Barefoot is an organisation that focuses on empowering women in rural communities by providing them with local employment opportunities, enabling them to stay with their families. 

The organisation operates without factories or production lines and strictly avoids the use of child labour. 

For over forty years, Barefoot has been offering fair wages, comprehensive training, and an environment that encourages creativity, helping women to secure sustainable livelihoods while nurturing their artistic talents.

Since its launch in 2016, the Women in Soneva initiative has sought to address the significant gender disparity within the Maldivian hospitality industry, where only four percent of resort workers are women. This initiative has achieved notable progress, with thirty-one percent of the workforce at Soneva Jani now comprised of women. 

As an equal opportunities employer, Soneva provides a safe and respectful working environment and ensures clear pathways for career progression. The initiative is part of a larger effort to encourage more women to join the sector while supporting their well-being and professional development.

The initiative also addresses the broader gender imbalance in the Maldivian workforce. 

While women make up forty-five percent of the workforce in sectors such as education, healthcare, and the civil service, their representation in hospitality remains low. Soneva is working to bridge this gap by creating opportunities that empower women and provide them with the resources to succeed.

Soneva believes that the success and profitability of any company are intrinsically linked to the effective management of its human resources. 

The company places significant value on holistic returns on human capital by prioritising fair wages, comprehensive training, and supportive work environments. In 2018, Soneva’s Human Capital contribution was valued at USD 2.7 million, reflecting the impact of its approach. Moreover, the value created by its hosts in society, even after their time with Soneva, underscores the long-term benefits of its efforts.

Soneva’s certification as a Great Place to Work® highlights its commitment to fostering diversity, inclusivity, and equitable opportunities. 

Since its opening in 2016, Soneva Jani has been carbon neutral, addressing both direct and indirect emissions from resort operations, including guest flights, which contribute to 80% of its carbon footprint. 

In addition to managing its operational energy needs, Soneva has taken proactive steps to offset CO2 emissions, ensuring that the resort operates sustainably while providing exceptional guest experiences.

A key initiative in Soneva’s sustainability strategy is a 2% environmental levy on room rates, introduced in 2008, which has raised US$ 11 million to date. These funds have been channelled into carbon-mitigation projects through the Soneva Foundation. So far, these projects have successfully mitigated 900,000 tonnes of CO2 and positively impacted the lives of over 400,000 people.

Among the Foundation’s initiatives are the Myanmar Stoves Campaign, which has distributed 55,000 fuel-efficient cookstoves benefiting 270,000 people and generating 340,000 Gold Standard carbon credits, and the ongoing commitment to plant 5 million trees by 2025. 

To date, 3 million trees have been planted across Thailand, Mozambique, Nepal, and the Philippines, restoring 4,000 hectares of land and offsetting 3.3 million tonnes of CO2. 

Additionally, the Foundation planted 2.5 million mangroves in Myanmar in 2022-23, a project that will generate 1.5 million carbon credits and further support the reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Through these actions, Soneva Jani demonstrates how the hospitality sector can play a pivotal role in supporting affordable and clean energy, addressing climate change, and making a positive impact on both local communities and the global environment.