In June I posted an article about The Red Sea Development Co. (TRSDC), the developer behind one of the world’s most ambitious tourism projects. The project is being developed over 28,000 square kilometers of pristine lands and waters along Saudi Arabia’s west coast and includes a vast archipelago of more than 90 islands. TRSDC just announced it has awarded its highest-value contract to date to a consortium led by ACWA Power to design, build, operate and transfer The Red Sea Project’s utilities infrastructure. The contract marks a significant step forward for The Red Sea Project, establishing it as the region’s first tourism...

ATLANTA—ASHRAE, a global society advancing human well-being through sustainable technology for the built environment, announced a move to its new global headquarters, located at 180 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners, Ga. The Society began renovations in January 2020 on an existing 66,700 ft2 building, originally built in 1978, on 11 acres of land. Located 10 miles north of its previous headquarters building, ASHRAE joins other innovation and sustainability-focused organizations based in the popular Technology Parkway corridor. A short video on the new global headquarters can be viewed on ASHRAE’s YouTube channel. “ASHRAE’s new global headquarters is a prime example of how we are helping to...

SOLON, OHIO—Building on its long history of supporting the health of people and the planet, Tarkett North America is broadening its commitment to carbon neutrality and can now boast the largest collection of carbon neutral products in the industry. For years, Tarkett has been continually reducing the embodied carbon of its products by designing for a circular economy, increasing the use of healthy, recycled materials, and finding new efficiencies in its manufacturing. With these improvements, the company has achieved lower embodied carbon than the industry average for its vinyl sheet, carpet tile and linoleum products sold in North America. Now,...

Names: Kate Mikesell Titles: VP, Global Corporate Responsibility, Hilton and President, Hilton Effect Foundation Company: Hilton Years with Hilton: 11 Primary Responsibility: “My primary responsibility is helping Hilton as it continues to redefine responsible travel. I spend most of my time talking about resources and how we are measuring. Are we on pace? Are we falling behind? It is a lot of conversation with team members and community leaders.” Organization’s most significant accomplishment in global corporate responsibility: “Being able to say this is the direction we want to go and letting our team take over. The Hilton Effect Foundation and the impact it is...

HOUSTON—Sysco Corp., the leading global foodservice distribution company, has published its 2020 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report (Read the Report), documenting the company’s progress toward its 2025 CSR goals and demonstrating its “Leadership In Extraordinary Times.” Sysco’s CSR strategy sets a clear path for the future and demonstrates the company’s enduring commitment to caring for people, sourcing products responsibly and protecting the planet. Fiscal year 2020 highlights include: People Donated 30 million meals globally, and helped more than 900 community organizations, to address hunger and food insecurity during COVID-19. Launched a global mental health and well-being campaign, encouraging associates to take a pledge...

PHILADELPHIA—Aramark announced that its global headquarters office space, located in Philadelphia, has received LEED Silver certification, by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), for its sustainable workspace design and construction. The building is certified under the LEED for Interior Design and Construction (LEED ID+C) rating system, which encourages the design and construction of commercial interiors that are good for people and the planet. Earlier, the 2400 Market Street building, owned by a joint venture of The Lubert-Adler Real Estate Funds and PMC Property Group, was initially awarded LEED Gold certification as a new construction project. Both certifications underscore Aramark’s sustainability...

PALO ALTO, CALIF.—S2A Modular—creator of the first electrically self-sustaining, custom and smart-connected GreenLux luxury residences and commercial buildings—announced it has purchased 51 acres of land for its first East Coast MegaFactory in Macclenny, Fla., 30 miles west of Jacksonville. The site is in the Enterprise East Industrial Park, currently home to a major Walmart distribution center as well as several other small and medium-size businesses. Once operational, the company’s third MegaFactory will feature approximately 13 different buildings and structures totaling more than 240,000 square feet. The factory is expected to generate more than $80 million of economic impact to...

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Carrier has announced the availability of an innovative waterside economizer option for its award-winning AquaForce 30XV air-cooled variable-speed screw chiller. The addition of a waterside economizer, or “free cooling,” allows the owner to take advantage of lower outdoor air temperatures to cool their building or process, thus saving a significant amount of energy. Carrier is a part of Carrier Global Corp., a leading global provider of healthy, safe and sustainable building and cold chain solutions. The unit comes standard with industry exclusive MaxCap Advantage, a feature that allows the extraction of the most-free cooling possible during all operating conditions,...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International has been recognized for making significant investments in clean energy according to the latest Solar Means Business report released by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). The annual report tracks both on-site and off-site installations, highlighting the strong appeal of cost-saving solar energy for American businesses. In 2018, MGM Resorts and Invenergy announced the development of a 100-megawatt solar array. At full production, the MGM Resorts Mega Solar Array, in Nevada, will provide up to 90 percent of total daytime power needs across MGM Resorts’ 13 Las Vegas Strip properties, representing nearly 70 million square feet...

WEST LAFAYETTE, IND.—What if paint could cool off a building enough to not need air- conditioning? Purdue University engineers have created white paint that can keep surfaces up to 18 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than their ambient surroundings—almost like a refrigerator does, but without consuming energy. According to the researchers, the paint would replace the need for air-conditioning by absorbing nearly no solar energy and sending heat away from the building. Without the building heating up, air-conditioning wouldn’t have to kick on. “It’s very counterintuitive for a surface in direct sunlight to be cooler than the temperature your local weather station reports for...