Environmental Stewardship
We believe we are stewards of Tetiaroa, and that we have the responsibility to treat it with the highest level of
care and respect. We have touched the atoll on which the resort sits as lightly as possible. Almost all of the
atoll is being protected and preserved forever in its native state. The Brando has been designed without beach
obstructions to blend harmoniously with the environment and we have used local materials in the design and
construction. With a pioneering deep seawater air-conditioning system and renewable energies such as solar
energy and coconut oil, the resort is close to carbon neutrality and self-sustainability. We have also established
a scientific research station on the island that will help us and others learn more about the protection of
tropical atolls.
Our goal for Tetiaroa is for The Brando to become the first resort in the world to obtain LEED Platinum
certification, the organization’s highest accolade, as a new construction in the campus category. We believe
we will achieve this. At The Brando the use of fossil fuels, such as oil derived from combustibles and coal, is
minimized, and the use of natural gas will be minimal and limited to cooking. And building materials used are
of local or certified origin, renewable, or incorporating recycled components.
Going Carbon Neutral
On Tetiaroa, we are committed to keeping our wildlife thriving, the air we breathe clean, and our lagoon
pristine. Toward that end, we have set a goal of Net Zero carbon impact—and carbon-neutral transportation is
an important component of that effort.
To reduce or eliminate travel-related emissions, we will provide bicycles to all our guests, and all vehicles will
ultimately be electric—powered by the sun. In addition, we plan to propose a carbon-offset purchase program
for inter-island transportation, and we will also encourage you to purchase carbon offsets for your
international flights.
Achieving our goal of carbon neutrality features a number of projects, including these:

Sea Water Air Conditioning (SWAC) harnesses the cold of the ocean depths and pipes them to land and
converts them into air conditioning, providing a low-energy and highly efficient cooling for buildings. It’s a
simple idea—but one that took many years to put into effect. A man ahead of his time (and always curious
about outside-the-box ideas), Marlon Brando had heard of the principle as early as the early 1970s, and he
dreamed of making it a reality on Tetiaroa for aquaculture—specifically, the farming of lobsters. He
suggested the idea of SWAC to Richard Bailey when the two were trying to resolve the dilemma of relying
on renewable energy without compromising on luxury and air conditioning. As a result, Richard Bailey’s
company Pacific Beachcomber conceived, developed, and installed the first private air-conditioning system
using SWAC. Brando did not live to see this pioneering idea become a reality, but his vision led to the
system we have today.

Solar energy, produced from photovoltaic solar panels installed along the airstrip, provides half of the
resort’s energy needs and all of its hot water.

A biofuel thermal power station will provide the other half of the resort’s energy needs. Fueled by
coconut oil, it will also support the local economy.
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
Zinc-bromine flow-batteries made from highly recyclable materials have a service life of thousands of
deep discharge cycles. These cutting-edge batteries will ensure a smooth and flexible management of the
various sources of renewable energy
EcoStation
The island of Tetiaroa is a pure jewel that we believe can touch people’s consciousness about how fragile and
precious tropical islands are. In the 1970s, Marlon Brando dreamed of building a “university” that would
educate others about the many facets of this jewel.
In pursuit of his dream, we have established an EcoStation on the island—a kind of think tank where scientists
and researchers from around the world can gather not only to preserve Tetiaroa, but also to help tropical
islands everywhere find their own path to sustainable development. It is a cornerstone of the project Brando
envisioned but was unable to complete.
The EcoStation on Tetiaroa consists of two buildings: one for accommodations and the other for wet and dry
laboratories with the basic equipment needed for the analysis and preservation of field samples. Pacific
Beachcomber, a key partner in The Brando, has entrusted the operation of the Tetiaroa Society, a nonprofit
cultural and scientific organization dedicated to the global understanding and wise management of tropical
island socio-ecosystems.
The EcoStation’s activities will be focused in these three key areas:
 Conservation: Through the EcoStation, we are dedicated to preserving the precious biodiversity on
Tetiaroa with several projects, including a sustainable fisheries project, a fish replenishment program, and
an atoll conservation plan. The EcoStation's conservation efforts also encompass monitoring, preservation,
and restoration programs related to plants and agriculture, as well as the preservation of the island’s
cultural heritage.
 Research: The EcoStation on Tetiaroa is dedicated to research that will help protect tropical atolls. We will
have a number of interesting programs that we will be happy to discuss with you at the EcoStation or
during talks provided at the resort.
 Education & Outreach: Through the EcoStation, Tetiaroa Society strives to increase knowledge of, and
heighten an appreciation for, the natural and cultural heritage of precious tropical islands like Tetiaroa. We
are also working closely with Te Mana O Te Moana (literally, “the Spirit of the Ocean”), a Tahiti-based
nonprofit organization devoted to the protection of marine wildlife—particularly the green sea turtle.
Pacific Beachcomber has collaborated closely with Te Mana O Te Moana over several years. Te Mana O Te
Moana is consulting on implementing activities on the island and also works closely with local authorities
on a variety of youth-oriented educational and public outreach programs.
Organic Garden
When visiting you can see firsthand how we grow vegetables and fruit on this sand-and-coral island. We have
implemented some innovative farming techniques that we will be delighted to share with you when you visit.
Water & Conservation
The Brando will utilize low-energy water independence and is installing an innovative wastewater
management system for irrigation. In addition to water conservation, the resort is implementing a robust
recycling and composting program.
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