Regenerative Practices

Fogo Island Inn operates within a regenerative model rooted in a deep commitment to nature, culture and community.
Its scale makes sense for the size of the island, to mitigate over-tourism, and protect local infrastructure. Through sustainable initiatives, we strive to meet the needs of present and future generations.

A Gentle Footprint

As our architect Todd Saunders says: “the Inn walks gently on the land.” Saunders adopted regenerative design principles to create a property that would endure and embody the fabric of this place — both culturally and materially.

We chose the Inn site and designed access paths in such a way that we could preserve an ancient footpath. 

To lessen the impact on the land during construction, we collected the mosses, grasses, and other plants on the building site, and returned them the site when the construction was complete. 

Our building and landscaping materials were natural and local, from the wood panelling of the structure to the rocks from the landscape around the Inn.   

A non-destructive low-impact foundation reduced concrete needs for the Inn’s construction. 

All the furniture pieces at the Inn were made locally, by hand, with wood sourced as close to home as possible to lighten our carbon footprint. Our textile pieces were stitched, knitted, crocheted and hooked on Fogo Island.

The placement of the main Inn structure and the adjacent outbuilding creates a sheltered entry court, which reduces the impact of the elements. 

Sustainable Sourcing

At Fogo Island Inn, goods and services are sourced locally first to support community businesses and reduce carbon emissions caused by transport. If we can’t source what we need from Fogo Island suppliers, we follow this chain:

Sharing Nature’s Bounty 

Knowing where our food comes from is a first step in ensuring that the dining experiences we offer are ethically and environmentally responsible.  
  • We serve seafood and fish harvested in the waters around Fogo Island, including Fogo Island Fish handline cod, which is Ocean Wise recommended.
  • Our team follows the 80/20 rule: 80% of ingredients they use are fished, farmed, hunted, or harvested from Newfoundland and Labrador. The other 20% follows our sustainable sourcing chain or are from traditional trading partners.
  • To achieve a zero-waste kitchen, we are exploring the potential of a comprehensive composting program.
  • We attempt to use every edible part of an ingredient and favour made-to-order dishes, as well as quality and nutritional density over excess.

Eco-Conscious Comforts

Small actions add up, so we pay attention to the details, during our guests’ time at the Inn.
  • In rooms and dining spaces, we use earth-friendly flax-based linen, instead of cotton.
  • We provide refillable steel water bottles, as well as recyclable to-go cups and cutlery and reusable bags or backpacks for excursions or off-site dining.
  • The environmentally friendly toiletries in our bathrooms are produced in St. John’s, NL.
  • The furniture within the Inn is primarily handcrafted on Fogo Island at Fogo Island Workshops.
  • Our Obasan mattresses are made from ethically sourced GOTS- and GOLS-certified organic materials. They are all handcrafted in Ottawa, Canada.
  • The interior of the property is illuminated with 75% LED lightbulbs.
  • We offer lower-energy transportation, including the use of bikes, and encourage shared transportation for guests arriving to or departing Fogo Island.

Carbon Offsetting

Our partnership with Carbonzero allows you to achieve carbon neutrality for your visit.
Carbon offsets are included in the price of a stay. These offsets are applied to all travel to and from the Inn, including shuttles and helicopter trips, as well as heat and electricity in the room, and all waste and food-related emissions.
Guests also have the option to purchase carbon offsets for their journey to Gander. With these carbon offsets, you are supporting a carbon-offsetting project in Stephenville and Appleton-Glenwood, Newfoundland.

Economic Transparency

We are transparent about where the money goes through the ECONOMIC NUTRITIONCM  label, which shows how your stay impacts the local and global economy.  

Find out more
Relais & Chateaux
Fogo Island Inn is a proud member of Relais & Châteaux, a global network of individually owned and operated hotels and restaurants that share likeminded values and a dedication to quality, sustainability, community, nature, and culture.
Read their 12 commitments to sustainability

Environmental Stewardship

As a community-centred social business, Fogo Island Inn reinvests its operating surpluses in the community of Fogo Island through the programs and initiatives of Shorefast, which include environmental stewardship.

Learn about their initiatives