SDGs at Gandum: global goals, impact felt here
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global agenda. At Gandum Village, they serve as something simpler and more useful: a practical compass for making everyday decisions —about the energy we use, the water we save, what we buy, what we produce, and how we work with the local community.
We don't follow the SDGs to "look good." We follow them because they help keep sustainability measurable, consistent, and connected to the guest experience.
What are the SDGs?
The SDGs are 17 interconnected goals set by the United Nations to address the biggest global challenges by 2030—from social inequalities and decent work to climate, biodiversity, water, and consumption patterns.
Translation: they are a common roadmap for making individual and business choices more responsible, without remaining abstract.
Why does this matter at Gandum?
Hospitality has a real impact: it consumes energy and water, purchases food, creates jobs, and drives the local economy. By aligning ourselves with the SDGs, we have made three clear commitments:
Global responsibility, applied locally
What we do here matters—and can inspire other people and projects.
Integrated view
Sustainability is not just about the environment. It is also about jobs, the local economy, transparency, and long-term management.
Inspiration with feet on the ground
Instead of moralizing, we prefer to show in practice how better choices can mean more comfort, higher quality, and greater consistency.
The SDGs we prioritize (and why)
Not all 17 goals carry the same weight in Gandum's operations. We prioritize those most closely linked to what we do and how our guests feel.
SDG 12 — Sustainable Consumption and Production
Relevance: At Provenance, the menu follows the season, favors local ingredients, and helps reduce waste, with a circular approach whenever possible.
SDG 15 — Life on Land
Relevance: Agroforestry, reforestation, and biodiversity protection make the landscape more vibrant and resilient—and this is noticeable in the surrounding environment: shade, coolness, life.
SDG 6 — Clean Water and Sanitation
Relevance: Responsible water management, including gray water reuse and rainwater harvesting, to maintain system efficiency even during critical periods.
SDG 13 — Climate Action
Relevance: Renewable energy and regenerative practices help reduce the footprint and increase the resilience of the project over time.
SDG 8 — Decent Work and Economic Growth
Relevance: Local employment, fair conditions, and a stable team translate into something that matters to guests: more attentive, consistent, and human service.
SDG 11 — Sustainable Cities and Communities
Relevance: Gandum does not operate in isolation. We collaborate with Montemor-o-Novo, local producers, and local projects to create value that remains in the region.
How we integrate the SDGs into our daily lives
The SDGs are not a separate “chapter.” They are part of operational decisions and experience.
Regenerative experiences
Activities such as tree planting and workshops connect guests to the territory and the real impact.
Reporting and transparency
Commitment to measuring, monitoring, and communicating—no vague promises and no greenwashing.
Local partnerships
Choice of suppliers and partners with clear origins and aligned values.
Education without preaching
We show how this works in practice—and let the person draw their own conclusions.