Our commitment
Showing we care
On Necker Island, taking care of the environment and supporting the local community sit high on our agenda.
Whether conserving some of the world’s endangered species, running the island on renewable energy, or making the most of the natural resources found in the British Virgin Islands, there are countless initiatives in place.
“If you’re lucky enough to be in a position where you are known around the world, for one reason or another, it’s incredibly important to set a good example to others.”
Sir Richard Branson
Creating a better future
The vision
We’re committed to ensuring Necker Island and the wider British Virgin Islands continue to thrive for years to come.
Watch the video to hear Richard Branson’s first-hand insights on the many ways in which the islands team are creating a truly unique, wholly sustainable, conservation haven for animals and people alike.
Renewable energy
To support its mission to eliminate fossil fuel consumption on the island, Necker Island has installed its very own microgrid to support its mission to eliminated fossil fuel consumption through a fully integrated off‐grid solution.
Following the devastating effects of Hurricane Irma in 2017, the island underwent an extensive rebuild which included the installation of three giant wind turbines and a solar farm of over 1,230 solar panels.
Collectively the wind turbines, solar farm and battery system allow the island to be without generators for around 90% of the time and save approximately 2.5 tons of carbon from going into the atmosphere each day.
This is just a starting point for Head of Engineering Goghul and his team, and part of a wider sustainability effort across the island; from an extensive recycling programme to collecting and repurposing hundreds of gallons of water for irrigation.
Food miles
Necker Island currently has over 100 hens, laying around 300 eggs per week.
The chefs on the island support the local economy wherever possible, working with local fishermen and farmers to ensure food products are sourced from the local area and neighbouring islands within the Caribbean, reducing food miles along the way.
It is a passion and a priority to not only celebrate but sustain the British Virgin Islands, and it is this passion that guests experience first-hand during each meal.
Wildlife and conservation
With 74 acres of natural beauty, Necker Island is the most biodiverse island in the BVI and is home to over 140 species of animals – 70% of which are facing extinction around the world.
Necker Island has become a habitat and natural breeding ground for some of the world’s rarest and most endangered animals; from seven species of Madagascan Lemurs to giant tortoises, rock lizards, flamingos, and many more.
Our wildlife team are passionate about the animals that call Necker their home and Wildlife Conservation Manager Vaman and his team do an extraordinary job in looking after them.
Supporting the community
Supported by Virgin Limited Edition and Virgin Unite, we work with Unite BVI.
This not-for-profit foundation based in the British Virgin Islands focuses on bringing people, ideas and resources together to tackle community and environmental changes to benefit current and future generations.
Some of these changes include improving education for local children, controlling the spread of mosquito-borne diseases as part of the BugOut BVI programme and, in partnership with The Branson Centre, supporting budding entrepreneurs with the tools and knowledge they need.
Pack for a purpose
Necker Island is a proud member of Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that allows those travelling to the island to make a lasting impact in the local community by saving a little luggage space to bring supplies for schools in the area and medical clinics.
Check out what supplies are needed for our community projects in the BVI.