Apple Purchases And Retires 100,000 Carbon Credits From Guyana In Landmark Sustainability Move

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News Americas, New York, NY, Tuesday, June 3, 2025:In a significant stride towards environmental sustainability, global technology leader Apple Inc. has acquired and retired 100,000 carbon credits from Guyana, marking its inaugural engagement with jurisdictional carbon credits under the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions, (ART) framework.

Apple Inc. purchases and retires 100,000 carbon credits from Guyana, reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability and supporting the nation’s forest conservation initiatives.

The credits, priced at US$15 each, amount to a total investment of approximately GYD$313 million. Senior Director for Climate and REDD+ at Guyana’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Dr. Pradeepa Bholanauth, confirmed the transaction, highlighting its alignment with Apple’s commitment to offsetting its corporate emissions.

These 2019-vintage credits, representing emission reductions from 2016 to 2020, are part of Guyana’s comprehensive forest conservation efforts encompassing 18 million hectares—about 85% of the country’s landmass. Apple’s 2025 Environmental Progress Report emphasizes that this initiative supports the nation’s historically low deforestation rate while funding low-carbon development priorities.

Apple’s engagement with Guyana’s carbon credits follows a precedent set by Hess Corporation, which purchased US$750 million worth of credits in December 2022. This move underscores the growing corporate interest in high-quality, jurisdictional carbon credits as a means to achieve sustainability goals.

Since achieving carbon neutrality in April 2020, Apple has consistently invested in carbon credits from various countries, including Colombia and Kenya. The company’s latest acquisition from Guyana signifies a strategic shift towards large-scale, jurisdictional approaches to carbon offsetting.

Guyana’s participation in the voluntary carbon market has yielded substantial economic benefits, with earnings of US$237.5 million from carbon credit sales between 2022 and 2024. Projections indicate additional revenues of US$250 million for the 2021–2025 period and US$312 million for 2025–2030, as credits are sold at increasing rates of US$20 and US$25 per tonne, respectively.

This collaboration between Apple and Guyana exemplifies a mutually beneficial partnership, advancing global climate objectives while supporting sustainable development in forest-rich nations.

15 Years Of Caring: Blue Diamond Resorts Turns Milestone Into Movement

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News Americas, ST. MICHAEL, Barbados, June 03, 2025: As Blue Diamond Resorts enters a milestone year, the company is proud to unveil its “15 Years of Caring, 15 Acts of Change” initiative, a program that reinforces its ongoing commitment to social responsibility and sustainability across the Caribbean. Marking its 15th anniversary under the motto Fifteen & Forward, this yearlong celebration is not only a reflection of the company’s journey but also a renewed pledge to create meaningful change in the destinations it calls home.

Blue Diamond Resorts has long recognized that the success of its operations is deeply connected to the wellbeing of its surrounding communities and environments. The “15 Years of Caring, 15 Acts of Change” campaign brings this philosophy to life through a series of purposeful monthly actions, each aligned with global awareness days and designed to generate lasting impact.

The campaign began earlier this year with a wetlands clean-up and restoration initiative in recognition of World Wetlands Day, followed by a series of immersive Earth Hour activities including beach cleanups, coastal dune reforestation, recycling contests, and the coordinated shutdown of non-essential lights across the resorts to raise awareness about climate change and energy conservation. In April, tree-planting programs marked Earth Day across multiple destinations, and most recently, guests and staff participated in a friendly resort-wide recycling challenge in celebration of World Recycling Day. These early efforts have laid a strong foundation for the meaningful work still to come.

In the months ahead, Blue Diamond Resorts will continue to activate properties across its brands—including Royalton Luxury Resorts, Royalton CHIC Resorts, Hideaway at Royalton Resorts, Planet Hollywood Beach Resorts, and Mystique by Royalton— with upcoming initiatives like a Sustainability Rally featuring themed educational stations to celebrate World Environment Day. This summer, the company will also welcome 40 children with medical conditions to Planet Hollywood Cancun, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort, in collaboration with a charitable foundation, offering them a joyful week filled with memorable experiences and entertainment.

Other upcoming initiatives include a plastic-free habits challenge in July, cultural fairs honoring Indigenous heritage in August, and community-driven actions such as food bank support, school adoption programs, and animal shelter donation drives. The year will culminate in December with a Volunteer Day focused on environmental and social improvements carried out in collaboration with local communities.

These activities build upon a broader framework of sustainability practices that Blue Diamond Resorts continues to strengthen year after year. The company’s resorts have been awarded global certifications that recognize their efforts in areas such as energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing as integral pillars of its operations.

As it looks ahead, Blue Diamond Resorts remains dedicated to expanding its impact with purpose. The 15th anniversary is not just a celebration of what has been achieved—it is a reaffirmation of the company’s forward-thinking values and its role in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future for hospitality.

For more information on Blue Diamond Resorts’ 15th anniversary initiatives, visit bluediamondresorts.com.

About Blue Diamond Resorts

Blue Diamond Resorts encompasses over 80 properties, exceeding 20,000 rooms in eight countries located in the most popular holiday destinations in the Caribbean. Its nine leading hotel brands include the Award-winning, All-In Luxury® Royalton Luxury Resorts, where Everyone is Family. Whether guests come as friends, parents, kids, couples, weddings, corporate or incentive retreats, or solo travelers everyone is family in these properties that feature personalized services and signature amenities including All-In Connectivity, DreamBed, and the Sports Event Guarantee. To refocus on valued relationships and friendships, Hideaway at Royalton offers an adults-only experience with exclusive dining and preferred accommodations to enhance Togetherness among their guests. Party Your Way at Royalton CHIC Resorts, an adults-only vibrant and effervescent all-inclusive brand to revel in the unexpected. Mystique by Royalton is Miles from Ordinary, offering their visitors the chance to connect with their surroundings in a boutique-style resort collection full of endless beauty and hip vibes. In Jamaica, Grand Lido Negril offers guests over the age of 21, a unique and all-inclusive Au Naturel vacation along with a secluded shore for the utmost privacy. Memories Resorts & Spa offers a vacation designed whether you´re planning a family vacation, reuniting with friends, or just have a relaxing moment with your significant other, while Starfish Resorts provides amazing value, breathtaking surroundings, and rich culture and heritage. Planet Hollywood Hotels & Resorts invites guests to Vacation Like A Star with an engaging and interactive experience, plus famous pop culture items from iconic movies, music, and sports while you will Dodge the Paparazzi at Planet Hollywood Adult Scene where your adults-only vacation will be the center of fascination and attention with glam and exclusivity.

To learn more about Blue Diamond Resorts, please visit www.bluediamondresorts.com

Vybz Kartel No-Show In Trinidad Sparks Promoter Backlash, Urgent Call For Industry Reform

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News Americas, New York, NY, June 2, 2025: The highly anticipated return of Jamaican dancehall star Adidja “Vybz Kartel” Palmer to the Trinidad and Tobago stage has ignited controversy, with the Trinidad and Tobago Promoters Association, (TTPA) now distancing itself from the failed event and warning of industry-wide fallout.

FLASHBACK – Vybz Kartel attends Vybz & Friends Live In Concert – Sunrise, FL at Amerant Bank Arena on May 17, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

In a sharply worded statement released today, the TTPA expressed “extreme concern” over the circumstances surrounding the no-show of Kartel at the One Caribbean Musical Festival, (OCMF) this past weekend. The association clarified that the event’s promoter, JACHO Entertainment, is not a member of the TTPA and does not represent the broader promoter community in the twin-island republic.

“We do not speak for or on behalf of this group,” the association stated firmly. “However, when events fail, the impact ripples across the entire entertainment industry, harming our collective reputation and economic stability.”

The fallout began Saturday when Kartel’s management team announced the artist would not perform, citing the promoter’s failure to meet contractual obligations despite months of attempts to resolve issues.

“Vybz Kartel cannot in good conscience participate in an event where the organizers have not honored their basic commitments,” the team stated, noting the artist had been paid US$950,000 of a US$1.35 million contract, with an additional US$150,000 reportedly sent to his legal team. The remaining funds, the promoters claim, were withheld due to local financial regulations prohibiting large cash disbursements.

In a direct message to fans via Instagram on May 31, Kartel further revealed that he had clashed with the Trinidad and Tobago government after the promoter suggested he visit a youth center or school – something the artist says he never agreed to. “I’m an entertainer,” Kartel said. “My job is to perform for the people.”

He also accused the promoter of poor planning, alleging they ignored advice not to hold the event during Carnival season. “Not every promoter can manage a Kartel show. It takes a lot,” the Grammy-nominated artist added, while expressing regret that fans were robbed of the chance to see him live.

The TTPA echoed Kartel’s sentiment, stating the failed event did not meet the high standards associated with Trinidad and Tobago’s global reputation for event production. The organization now wants to use the incident as a catalyst for reform.

“We believe it is time to broaden the dialogue with government and private sector partners,” the TTPA said. The group is calling for deep legislative changes specific to the entertainment and tourism sectors, aiming to better protect patrons, creatives, and producers from similar debacles in the future.

They’ve proposed resuming negotiations with the Office of the Attorney General to draft and pass modern legislation tailored to the needs of the industry.

Meanwhile, T&T Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo says he is intrigued by the amount of foreign exchange being mentioned in relation to payment fees for artistes involved in the One Caribbean Music Festival and has requested an investigation. Saturday’s event was reportedly sold out, but the attendance was poor, as many patrons did not bother to attend due to Kartel’s absence and instead demanded a refund.

Videos of irate attendees venting their frustrations by storming the stage, throwing bottles or even dancing half-naked made their way around social media yesterday, as thousands tuned in to witness the unfolding debacle at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain.

The organisers said they are committed to addressing how patrons will be reimbursed. An official acknowledged that some form of compensation may be necessary and noted that this will be discussed and finalised in the coming days.

Ticket prices ranged from $670 for general admission to $2,700 for VVIP. Representatives of the US-based company said it will seek legal redress for the collapsed deal, as it is now at risk of losing millions of dollars. It said while it is now accepted that it will suffer a loss, it will try to recover as much money as possible from the local partner – Jacho Entertainment Ltd

Jacho Entertainment Ltd. is a San Fernando-based entertainment, events and promotions company that was incorporated in 2015. Its two directors are Odane Anderson, events promoter, and Petel Jones, senior accountant.

As the dust settles, what’s clear is that the Kartel controversy has reignited urgent questions about promoters accountability and regulatory gaps.