BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International, Inc. has verified its near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). SBTi is a global climate action organization that develops tools that allow businesses to set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets in line with data-driven methodology. Marriott is the largest global hospitality company to receive approval for both near-term and long-term science-based targets. The company has committed to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 46.2 percent by 2030 from a 2019 base year. Marriott also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from fuel and energy-related...

LOS ANGELES—GAF, a Standard Industries company and North America’s largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer, and Climate Resolve, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit dedicated to climate resilience, announced the results of a peer-reviewed study by Altostratus Inc. examining the effects of cool pavements in mitigating urban heat. The study, which was conducted in the Pacoima neighborhood of Los Angeles as part of the GAF Cool Community Project, revealed reductions of ambient air temperatures by as much as 3.5°F during extreme heat events and a 25 to 50 percent reduction in the local census-tract urban heat island effect during temperature peaks. The results reinforce the efficacy of cool...

NEW YORK—Voltpost, the lamppost electric vehicle (EV) charging company, announced the commercial availability of an innovative, award-winning curbside EV charging solution. The company is developing and deploying EV charging projects in major U.S. metro areas, including New York, Chicago, Detroit and others, this spring. Voltpost decarbonizes mobility by democratizing charging access. The company retrofits lampposts into a modular and upgradable Level 2 EV charging platform powered by a mobile app. This first-of-a-kind platform provides people convenient and affordable charging while reducing the installation cost and time, maintenance, and footprint of chargers for communities. While Voltpost can serve any EV, the lamppost charging...

NATIONAL REPORT—Over the past four years, utility costs at U.S. hotels have increased at a pace greater than total operating revenue. As a result, utility department expenses increased from 2.9 percent of total revenue in 2019 to an estimated 3.3 percent in 2023. As hotels have struggled to recover from the pandemic, any rise in cost ratios is an area of concern for owners and operators. The good news is that the pace of growth appears to be slowing down. Year-over-year growth rates for utility expenditures have declined on a dollar per-available-room (PAR) basis from a high of 21.4...

ATLANTA—Juno, an established leader in the manufacture of downlighting and track lighting, introduces 2-inch Canless Wafer Downlights featuring an innovative, slim design that installs quickly and easily into ceiling spaces. With no housing required, these miniature wafer downlights install in spaces where most traditional recessed housings do not. The all-in-one design of the canless wafer downlight features five switchable white color temperature options and three adjustable lumen output settings, delivering up to 900 lumens, making them perfect for accent, task, or general downlighting applications. This innovative technology gives distributors, contractors, and others the ultimate in flexibility by providing the equivalent of 15 static fixtures in one. Additional features include:  Available in three...

RACINE, WIS.—Dominion Properties, developer of two LEED Platinum multifamily buildings in southeastern Wisconsin, has just achieved LEED Gold for its boutique Hotel Verdant that utilizes geothermal, solar and wind technologies—a renewable energy trifecta not found in any other U.S. hotel. The 80-room property, with a Scandinavian vibe, is located in downtown Racine, Wis., and was once the Zahn’s Department Store building. The building sat empty for 40 years until Dominion Properties transformed it into a business anchor for downtown Racine. Dominion Properties’ Michael O’Connor and his business partner Christopher Adams are the visionaries behind the hotel project. They first met while...

SHELTON, CONN.—Budderfly, a sustainability partner for businesses with repeatable footprints, announced a corporate partnership with restaurant platform company Craveworthy Brands to drive down energy consumption at Cravewothy’s corporate and franchise-owned restaurants. Craveworthy Brands owns, operates, and franchises multiple restaurant brands across the country, including Genghis Grill: where Budderfly’s Energy as a Service (EaaS) offering will first be rolled out to 21 corporate-owned restaurant locations and 11 franchise locations over time, generating an estimated 30 percent reduction in energy usage at each site. This corporate partnership underscores the impact and scalability of Budderfly’s solution. The cost-saving and sustainability outcomes stemming from this...

MIAMI—Underscoring its commitment to sustainability, Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise company, unveiled a new solar park at its Amber Cove Cruise Center in the Dominican Republic. The park’s 1,800-plus solar panels will supply 80 percent of the port’s energy demand. Carnival Corporation, Carnival Cruise Line and Amber Cove Cruise Center celebrated with a ribbon cutting that was attended by government, industry, and community leaders, including Joel Santos, Minister of the Presidency of the Dominican Republic, and Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line. “As we bring guests to enjoy the beauty and rich culture of the Dominican Republic, we also take our environmental stewardship here...

ATLANTA—Gotham Lighting, an established innovator and manufacturer of architectural downlighting, unveiled its highly anticipated brand refresh at the recent LEDucation event, marking a significant milestone in the company’s 85-year legacy. The brand refresh represents Gotham’s commitment to innovation, quality, and delivering unparalleled lighting experiences to its customers. “For over 85 remarkable years, we have been the downlighting leader, dedicated to developing products and technologies to meet lighting design needs,” said Rosa Peredo, Senior Product Manager of Brand and Product Commercialization, Gotham Lighting. “Now, Gotham is evolving as a brand, marking a monumental moment in our journey to transforming the way...

VERONA, PA.—The electrification and decarbonization of the commercial kitchen is becoming a hot topic throughout the hospitality industry. Green Lodging News recently addressed the topic in a Publisher’s Point of View column which highlighted the work of the William J. Worthen Foundation. The Foundation addresses all-electric kitchens in its “The Building Decarbonization Practice Guide.” Also championing a transition to all-electric and less carbon-intensive kitchens is Chef Christopher A. Galarza. A strong proponent of electric induction cooking, he is the author of Understanding the Green Industrial Revolution, An Interdisciplinary Look At the Hospitality Industry, Founder/Culinary Sustainability Consultant with Forward Dining...