Holidaymakers concerned about their carbon footprint can rest easy at La Manga Club following the introduction of a raft of environmental policies at the five-star resort.

Τhe venue has been one of Europe's premier sport and lifestyle resorts for nearly 40 years and is now leading the way environmentally having made significant reductions to both its energy consumption and water usage.

By implementing an environmental management plan, La Manga Club has been able to minimise the impact while being able to maintain and enhance the high standard of facilities on offer.

Solar power now provides between 30 and 40 per cent of the energy required for hot water and the heating of the pool in the five-star Hotel La Manga Club Principe Felipe.

It is also a source of power for the golf clubhouse, and, with a strong supply in a region enjoying more than 300 days of sun a year, there are plans to extend the use of solar energy across the resort.

A host of simple measures, including the introduction of aerators on taps, flow control and timer mechanisms, have combined to reduce water consumption in the hotel and the fully serviced Las Lomas village self-catering accommodation by 60 per cent.

In addition, 70 per cent of the water used in maintaining La Manga Club's three championship golf courses and eight international standard sports pitches and numerous garden areas, is recycled water provided by wastewater treatment plant.

Working in conjunction with meteorological monitoring these methods combine with the high-tech irrigation system to optimise water consumption based on environmental conditions.

Madeline Adam, La Manga Club's environment manager, has been working closely with all departments to make the resort as eco-friendly as possible and is pleased with the results to date.

She said: "At La Manga Club we are aware how important it is to respect and protect our natural environment and to optimise precious resources for our own benefit and enjoyment and that of generations to come.

"It is amazing how effective simple measures can be if they are implemented properly and by bringing these in across the resort we've had a huge impact.

"To have reduced water consumption in the hotel and Las Lomas by 60 per cent already is fantastic and hopefully this is just the beginning.

"Some elements have been trialled in specific areas, such as solar energy in the golf clubhouse, and, following the successes, it makes perfect sense to extend the schemes to other areas of the resort."

La Manga Club boasts unrivalled facilities as a sport and leisure venue including three 18-hole championship golf courses, a 28-court tennis centre and a 2,000sqm spa and fitness centre. It also offers the choice of a five-star hotel, four-star serviced apartments and townhouses, more than 20 bars and restaurants and great fun for children.