Many are asking – what is PADI Eco Center? How high is the bar set? And how do we reach it?
If that sounds like you, then you have come to the right place. Keep reading to learn more about PADI Eco Center and what it takes to earn this challenging accreditation.
PADI Eco Center launched in April 2023 to recognize the planet’s most environmentally committed dive operators.
A set of challenging criteria was announced:
participation in the PADI AWARE Adopt the Blue program
be an active Green Fins Member
demonstrate an exemplary level of environmental performance through the above programs
To learn more about why you should consider working towards PADI Eco Center status, plus more information about the criteria, click here.
Participation in Adopt the Blue and Green Fins Membership is quickly accessible to every PADI operator on the planet.
Adopting your local dive site with PADI AWARE takes 10 minutes to complete, and in doing so you join a global network of ocean stewards committed to local action for global conservation impact. Click here to join.
Becoming an active Green Fins member can also be achieved in a short time frame. Green Fins Members commit to the only internationally recognized Code of Conduct for the diving and snorkeling industry. They then complete an assessment of their operational impact and develop an action plan consisting of 3 or 4 actions to take in the following year designed to improve the sustainability of each business. Click here to learn which membership is right for you, or view a demo video of the Green Fins Hub and all its features here.
Both of these steps indicate a willingness to be part of the solution, and commitment to a more sustainable diving industry. What they don’t do is differentiate the operators who have just started on their sustainability journey, from those who have worked hard over a number of years to embed sustainability principles in everything they do. PADI Eco Center is reserved for the latter.
The bar for PADI Eco Center is set intentionally high. Achievement requires significant time and effort to demonstrate a truly world-class level of environmental performance, which can take years.
But how does PADI assess environmental performance fairly when there is so much variety in available resources, services and locations amongst our global network?
Environmental performance is monitored by The Reef-World Foundation who operates the Green Fins initiative in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme. PADI Members who demonstrate an exemplary level of environmental best practice are reported in real-time to PADI as having met the challenging threshold for PADI Eco Center. Within 24 hours, should your dive business also be part of the Adopt the Blue network, you are recognized as a PADI Eco Center on the PADI Dive Shop Locator.
To learn more about how you can demonstrate an exemplary level of environmental best practice with Green Fins, click here.
Despite the challenging criteria that demands years of dedication, PADI members in every corner of the planet have shown they have what it takes.
From Seattle to the Cook Islands, Malaysia to Spain, PADI dive centers and resorts are showing that – with the right mindset and tenacity – any PADI operator can become a PADI Eco Center.
Click on any of the below to hear these PADI Eco Centers tell their stories:
Sottolonda Diving Center Became, Italy
Volcano Bubbles Diving School, Greece
Dive Rarotonga, The Cook Islands
Seattle Dive Tours, USA
Dive Ninja Expeditions, Mexico
Although every sustainability journey is different, some key elements remain the same. If you don’t have time to read through the stories above, here’s a quick summary of the common experiences of every PADI operator that now proudly identifies as a PADI Eco Center.
Each PADI Eco Center has:
1. An Eco Leader with Years of Dedication To Sustainability Principles
“Since day one, we’ve been conscientious about reducing and recycling our waste. Throughout the years as a PADI diver, I’ve always been passionate about preserving the ocean and educating others. This year marks my 28th year as a PADI pro and I’m still fighting for our blue planet.”
– Kathleen, Al Mahara Dive Center, UAE
2. Integrated PADI AWARE Courses and Citizen Science Activities
“We bundle AWARE courses with core PADI courses as often as possible so that we are always talking about environmental impacts. We offer PADI AWARE courses to non-divers – snorkelers are key to taking care of the reef systems, so we work with school groups, youth groups, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to ensure our message is out there.”
– Cindy, One Ocean Scuba, USA
3. Developed New Environmental Solutions and Programs
“I spent countless hours creating ideas, designing programs, testing, revising, and then throwing them out, and starting all over again. Eventually I found a formula that works for us which we call our Ninja full circle tourism model.“
– Jay, Dive Ninja Expeditions, Mexico
4. Overcome Challenges and Remained Focussed on Impact
“We have just received permission to install six fixed moorings on the Western side of our Island which has been dived from anchored vessels for over 40 years. Permission for these was a two-year process but patience has paid off and they will be installed this year. Overall support for these has been incredible, but following the process is essential and time consuming. Frustration has been quite prevalent throughout, with time constantly passing with nothing to show for it, but if you’re working towards an environmental project, have a plan and stick to it. Extra hurdles appear and you must get over them and not don’t give up.”
– Neil, Dive Rarotonga, Cook Islands
5. Worked Together with the Local Community
“My father remembers a time when you could fish from shore with big hooks and thick non-transparent threads and catch lots of fish. Nowadays, fishermen need to use specialized gear to catch anything. It’s clear to us that overfishing is a major issue, but I have respect for fishermen if they practice their job sustainably and with care for the environment. We have worked with the fishermen on our island to encourage sustainable practices and now they are helping us whenever possible. All the fishermen I know are now giving me information about where to find and remove ghost fishing nets!”
– Michael, Volcano Bubbles Diving School, Greece
6. Learnt From Other Eco-Minded Dive Businesses
“Learn from everywhere, don’t just think about the dive shop down the street, great ideas are worldwide. The Green Fins Community Hub has become a fantastic and accessible center point for the sharing of different environmental ideas, initiatives and solutions that we previously only heard about in person, at a dive conference or read in a dive magazine.”
– Scott & Melissa, Seattle Dive Tours, USA
7. Connected with External Environmental Initiatives
“We took several steps on our sustainability journey, including partnering with OceansForAll to offset our carbon emissions, becoming Green Fins Digital Members to access resources and training on sustainable diving practices, engaging with the local Rotary Club for environmental projects, eliminating single-use plastics from our dive center, and adopting biodegradable cleaning agents. Along the way, we learned the importance of dedication, continuous learning, collaboration, adaptability, and flexibility.”
– Simon, Aloha Diving, Thailand
As a global community, support is available.
The main avenues of support include:
The Green Fins Community Forum
Inside the Green Fins Hub, you’ll find the Community Forum; a space dedicated to facilitating peer-to-peer discussion between the Green Fins Team, dive professionals and dive business owners. Born from the insightful conversations being had at dive conferences, Reef-World Foundation was asked if a platform could be developed to continue the discussion and enable year-round sharing of good ideas, challenges and innovative solutions to common environmental challenges faced.
Click here for more information about the Green Fins Community Forum and some of the most popular discussion topics.
PADI AWARE Team
PADI AWARE’s Community Team is on hand to support you with all things AWARE. Whether you want help signing up for Adopt the Blue, need advice on how to pair conservation courses with your standard courses or want to learn more about citizen science and/or policy advocacy, reach out on information@padiaware.org
Your PADI Regional Manager
All PADI Field Staff have received training on PADI Eco Center and the programs associated with it. If you would like 1-to-1 guidance, please contact your Regional Manager. If they can’t help with your query, they will gladly connect you with the person who can.
Ready to get started?
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