Enjoy a green experience in Sweden’s north. Photo: Camp Ripan
Camp Ripan Serious about sustainability For a bucket-list getaway that doesn’t cost the Earth, head to Kiruna in Swedish Lapland. Here, among majestic mountains and below the dancing northern lights, sits Camp Ripan, a Nordic hotel and spa whose strong sustainability credentials have made it a green go-to for experience-seekers everywhere. By Emma Rodin
A magical destination known as a winter paradise; Kiruna is a gateway to a multitude of experiences. And, whether it’s an arctic dinner at the Ripan restaurant, an adrenaline-inducing dog sledding experience, or a relaxing session at the hotel’s award-winning Aurora Spa, sustainability is woven into each of them. “For us, long-term sustainability is just as important as being a great host. Our guests come from every corner of the world to experience our Arctic nature and culture, and we strive to offer a stay in this beautiful part of the world com30
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Issue 161
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December 2023
bined with environmental awareness,” explains Frida Lind-Oja who is a partner at Camp Ripan. This awareness is a constant part of daily operations at Camp Ripan. The team is always looking for new ways to reduce any negative environmental impact and this is reflected in everything from the choice of suppliers to how the facilities are designed. In fact, all furniture and materials used are either locally, regionally or nationally sourced and always within Scandinavia. A lot is even made on-site using wood from local birch trees.
Camp Ripan also has the latest technology within water and energy use, including heat recirculation. “Thanks to our modern ventilation system, we’re able to capture heat from our kitchen and spa and repurpose it in other areas,” explains Lind-Oja. Trust the swan A great hallmark of all this work is the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. This eco-credential is given to businesses that make it easy for consumers to make sustainable choices and was first awarded to Camp Ripan in 2015. What separates the Swan from other credentials in the same category is the overarching focus on lifecycles, ensuring that businesses aren’t just moving their environmental impact from one place to another. It also considers aspects such as how goods like toilet paper are trans-