Business and the Environment

By Irene Millar

The business world and our environment are inextricably linked.  Our economy and society depend on natural resources with every tangible product known to man coming from something mined or grown. Companies, large and small, all around the world, are wakening up to the realisation that “There is no business to be done on a dead planet,” as the late David Brower so aptly noted.

This month’s article looks at the collaboration of business with a non-governmental organization (‘NGO’) and local community in Indonesia, and positive impact being created to the business as a result.

In August 2006, Corine Tap and Marnix Beugel, Dutch by origin but long-term Asian residents, realized a lifelong dream, and became owners of the Java Sea Charters, a scuba live-aboard and cruising charter company, based out of Jakarta, Indonesia.

The company organizes trips and charters in Sunda Straits, with key highlights being the infamous Krakatoa and Ujung Kulon National park, not only known for the last Javanese Rhinos but also for it splendid marine life.

When Corine Tap and Marnix Beugel took over the Java Sea Charters business, they had a clear mission, namely, to be profitable, but to also have their business giving back to nature, to ensure the future of the beautiful environment and, therefore, guarantee future generations the enjoyment of the beauty of the Sunda Straits.

As the area is not a well-known tourist destination, there is little attention given to the damage done in the waters and reefs, often by local villagers, due to lack of education and knowledge on how to treat their own environment, thereby ensuring the future of their communities.

In order to achieve their vision, the people of Java Sea Charters worked in collaboration with World Wildlife Fund For Nature (‘WWF’), who is not only  expert in building artificial reefs, but has also worked closely with the villages in and around Ujung Kulon National Park, ensuring their involvement in the project called “Build A Reef”.  Java Sea Charters and WWF invest in this project together — WWF, by organising and facilitating the reef building as well as subsequent monitoring with the national park committee,  and Java Sea Charters by covering all operational cost to organize the weekend and marketing the project to experienced scuba divers.  The money that participating divers pay to attend the project goes directly to the materials for the reef, racks and colonies.

We are passionate and excited to continue doing this, giving back to that what allows us to run this business.  The Sunda Straits is one the best kept hidden secrets of Indonesia, and every opportunity we have, we are out there enjoying it with our 2 little boys,   It would be great that they can enjoy this when they grow up and can continue to enjoy the reefs.

Corine Tap, Co-Founder Java Sea Charters

WWF Indonesia supports this kind of event as artificial reefs have been proven to help improve marine ecosystem in many places.  Placing this type of structure in a sandy area around Badul Island is also proven to increase fisheries in the area.

The programme contributes to the local community by providing an income source through the purchasing of artificial reef and coral from local farmers, together with paying jobs to patrol and maintain the reefs.  The regular patrols and monitoring ensure that the corals survive for many generations, and provide healthy seas that support the livelihood of many people.

Importantly, the income generated within the community from this programme can reduce the local people’s dependency upon direct extraction of natural resources from the adjacent National Park.

In the last two years, approximately 200 meters have been populated by 75 artificial reef structures

Over the years, the Build-The-Reef project has become a brand in itself, and this brand is still growing.
Java Sea Charters has received positive spin-off from this project.  With the project continuing and gaining further publicity this should increase further, and in general it will help make clear that the core business of Java Sea Charters, which is diving and responsible tourism, is unbeatable as a sustainable tourism option.
What has been especially interesting is that we have had requests for information and cooperation for reef building projects from around the South East Asian region that will also help us expand our business into new areas.

Java Sea Charters excursions include diving on the man-made reef that has been created as a result of the Build A Reef project. With divers able to so easily spot and compare the several different construction years, they can see for themselves the concrete impact to underwater life.

Marnix Beugel, Co-Founder of Java Sea Charters.

Java Sea Charters is an excellent example of a business identifying the opportunity and taking action to do well at the same time as doing good.  Consumers are becoming more aware of the environment and sustainability and are voting with their money to support businesses with a strong environmental strategy.  Is your business going to be sustainable with an-ever increasing emphasis being placed on environmental responsibility?◊

Irene Millar is the Co-Founder of Eco Leadership working with organizations and NGOs to create a sustainable future. Please visit www.EcoLeadershipTraining.com or contact irene@EcoLeadershipTraining.com to discuss how your organization can become more sustainable.

Thanks to Corine Tap and Marnix Beugel from Java Sea Charters www.javaseacharters.com and Adhi Hariyadi from WWF Indonesia http://www.wwf.org.id