FEATURES • CONSULTANCY
The Collective Force:
Eco-Mantra’s Vision for
Greater Impact
January 2025
Words & Photography by The Punch
In Bali's evolving landscape, where nature converges with innovation, Eco-Mantra pioneers the path to sustainable development. The consultancy company is dedicated to transforming the visions of forward-thinking leaders and developers into reality by integrating future-proof design into exceptional properties. This philosophy is not just about minimizing impact; it’s about reimagining the relationship between built environments and the natural world.
Eco-Mantra’s approach to sustainable design is finely-tuned, and entrenched in a profound understanding of ecological balance. Every project they undertake shows their duty to lessening energy consumption, conserving water, and minimizing waste–each decision is made with an eye toward long-term benefits and community resilience. Pushing past the technicalities, Eco-Mantra is about inspiration. They challenge their clients to look beyond conventional design and take on sustainability as a core aspect of their brand’s legacy. From the initial discovery phase through to planning, design, construction, and sustainable operation, the consultancy company’s integrated process is a journey toward a better future.
Leading this movement is Sean Nino, co-founder of Eco-Mantra. His passion for environmental conservation is not just professional but deeply personal. With a team of 25 dedicated individuals, the company monitors environmental indicators, assesses the availability of natural resources like groundwater, and works closely with communities to enhance their living environments. Eco-Mantra’s work includes large estates that positively affect the lives of local villages, promoting a balanced approach that values both broad impact and local change.
ROOTS OF INSPIRATION
In the heart of Bali, where vibrant traditions and communal bonds shape daily life, Sean grew up in a world that contrasted sharply with the distant rhythms of the West, experiencing a way of living that departed from its detached existence. Driven by a quest for deeper meaning, Sean embraced the island’s art, culture, and time-honored customs with fervor. This immersive upbringing was the core of his vision for the future, guiding his values and influencing the essence of Eco-Mantra’s initiatives today. The legacy of Bali’s communal spirit and artistic heritage continues to guide their path, a profound impact of a childhood in the island’s unique way of life.
REDEFINING STANDARDS
Eco-Mantra recognizes the critical gap in government-led environmental protection. While hopeful about both governmental and local community efforts, it focuses its energy on strengthening impactful partnerships with leading businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector. Over the past five years, it’s allied with prominent names such as Waterbom and Potato Head. These high-profile collaborations were intentional, with the understanding that success would inspire industry-wide change.
The company’s approach involves not just implementing sustainable principles but also creating narratives and designing comprehensive management frameworks. By working closely with the leaders and owners of these establishments, they have helped execute a powerful vision for sustainability. The results speak volumes: one of these properties ranks among the 50 best hotels globally, while another has earned the prestigious PATA Gold Award for sustainable tourism. This represents a significant achievement for them, as it initiates a ripple effect throughout the sector, showcasing the transformative impact they envisioned from the outset.
UNITING BUSINESSES FOR GREATER IMPACT
According to Nino, businesses must unite and forge networks to exchange data and invest in a shared platform for collaboration. This collective spirit Eco-Mantra represents is vital for achieving substantial progress. The most important part of such collaboration involves integrating third-party and even fourth-party experts to guide and oversee these efforts. However, the real challenge lies in creating trust across diverse cultures, religions, and individuals. To sustain their leadership, businesses must craft a compelling narrative and approach that builds this essential trust.
In the field of environmental responsibility, businesses have the power to make significant changes by addressing critical areas such as biodiversity, water usage, energy consumption, carbon emissions, and pollution. For instance, the issue of excessive heat in tropical cities often stems from inadequate design and planning. By embracing thoughtful and innovative design principles together, businesses can transform these challenges into opportunities, creating cooler, more sustainable urban environments.
IMPACT IN NUMBERS
At Eco-Mantra, action is paramount. Their approach is shown by celebrating properties that highlight the power of sustainable design. For example, their work with Potato Head and Waterbom illustrates how on-site composting and food waste management can cut waste by 90-95%. They also challenge the notion of excessive heat by lowering property temperatures by up to 7 degrees Celsius, addressing design flaws that contribute to high temperatures. Additionally, Eco-Mantra’s improvements in cooling systems have led to a 50% reduction in groundwater use and over 40% savings in energy.
These showcase properties are interactive spaces where sustainable innovations are demonstrated. Eco-Mantra offers tours, shares findings, and publishes literature to inspire others. Their goal is to share the power of sustainable design and create a meaningful impact.
LEVERAGING THE BANJAR SYSTEM FOR MODERN RENEWAL
Nino envisions a renaissance of the banjar system in Bali, advocating for a resurgence of regular community meetings. His call is for a reimagined, inclusive banjar–one that embraces individuals of diverse nationalities and beliefs, beyond the Balinese. Nino urges a more integrative method for sharing and gathering opinions, structuring these inputs into actionable steps that register strongly within villages and directly influence daily lives.
He contends that relying solely on big government or businesses for solutions is misguided. True transformation must start locally, with organized, grassroots efforts spearheading change. The banjar serves as an ideal platform for this collective action. Nino’s vision includes frequent community gatherings, increased interaction, and collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing communities from the grassroots level.
DRIVING LASTING CHANGE: THE ROLE OF THE ECO-CHAMPION
In the world of business, cash flow is a potent force–a resource brimming with potential to lead, invest in communities, and ignite transformative change. With this financial strength, companies such as Eco-Mantra can break through indifference, persist through challenges, and become true drivers of progress.
A pivotal move for any business is to appoint an eco-champion–a dedicated individual within the company who represents best practices. This person should possess a deep understanding of environmental and social issues, and navigate complexities with skill.
Nino’s advice is to select someone personable, with a strong character and a passion for engagement. Such an eco-champion can effectively inspire and drive sustainable initiatives, creating meaningful impact and steering the company toward genuine progress.
In Eco-Mantra’s vision, sustainability becomes more than a checkbox–a bold manifesto for change. By daring to innovate and reimagine their roles, businesses can transform challenges into opportunities, creating a story of progress that resonates far beyond the balance sheet. The future isn't just built; it's cultivated, nurtured, and shared, inviting us all to participate in a collective evolution.
EXPLORE THE FULL STORY IN UNCOVERED BALI BOOK
Uncovered Bali is a collective project showcasing the sustainable journeys of carefully selected Bali businesses to a global audience. Each story highlights the unique impact these enterprises have on preserving Bali’s cultural and environmental heritage while driving positive change. Through this project, we aim to inspire global leaders, travelers, and communities to embrace more sustainable practices and appreciate the powerful role that local businesses play in shaping a better future.
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