AMSTERDAM—A new series of online training sessions for hospitality businesses, focusing on community engagement, energy and greenhouse gases, as well as food and water management, has been developed by Booking.com in collaboration with UN Tourism. The courses have been launched on the Tourism Online Academy (TOA), a collaborative project between UN Tourism and IE University. The four Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) address crucial aspects of sustainability to drive change in production and consumption patterns. While targeted at hospitality businesses, the courses are also available to the general public. They focus on: Energy and climate action: For hospitality, efficient energy...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A review by the SUN DAY Campaign of data newly released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) confirms that solar has continued its decade-long streak as the nation’s fastest growing source of electricity. In its latest monthly “Electric Power Monthly” report (with data through April 30, 2024), EIA says the combination of utility-scale and small-scale (e.g., rooftop) solar increased by 25.4 percent in the first four months of 2024 compared to the first third of 2023. Small-scale solar alone grew by 19.3 percent while utility-scale solar thermal and photovoltaic expanded by 28.4 percent—substantially faster than any other energy...

ODESSA, FL.—Green Lodging News has added a Tivoli Lighting case study to its website. The case study details how the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas was able to reduce its energy expenditure by more than 400,000 watts and significant man hours. Yet, its sign still shines brightly—perhaps even brighter than before thanks to new lamps that create brighter, easier-to-maintain, more energy-efficient lighting. It was not that difficult of a feat when considering that the original fixtures on the exterior of the hotel were simply E12 Candelabra sockets embedded into the building façade marquee. Between every gold diamond on the building...

NEW YORK—PurOptima, the leading manufacturer of premium glass wall partitions and door systems, announces the addition of three new Project Delivery Partners, bringing the total number of partners across the U.S. to ten. These new partners will be working with Clover Architectural Products, the Midwest Project Delivery Management Partner, and the PurOptima team to deliver top-tier and sustainable glass wall and door systems in the Midwest. Klein-Dickert Glass in Wisconsin Architectural Glass & Metals, Inc. in Grand Rapids, Mich. United Glass and Panel Systems in Cleveland, Ohio Entering into a partnership with these new partners is the result of PurOptima’s...

In the early days of the Las Vegas boom one hotel, more than any other, portrayed the glam and glitz that has become a Vegas hallmark—the Golden Nugget. As one of the oldest casinos in Vegas, it opened in 1946 with the distinction of being the largest casino in the world at that time. Its iconic brilliant gold exterior sign has been featured in multiple blockbuster films, including James Bond’s Diamonds Are Forever and Elvis Presley’s Viva Las Vegas. It also appeared prominently in the Bee Gees music video Night Fever. Over the years, the Golden Nugget hotel has undergone...

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.—Carlisle Companies Inc. published its 2023 Corporate Sustainability Report, highlighting progress toward its sustainability goals through its three-pillar sustainability strategy and culture of continuous improvement fostered through the Carlisle Operating System. “Carlisle’s steadfast commitment to our sustainability goals is consistent with our core values of continuous improvement and operational excellence,” said Chris Koch, Chair, President and CEO. “The publication of our 2023 Sustainability Report highlights our continued progress on our sustainability mission—to produce products that make buildings more efficient, reduce emissions from our value stream, and manage end of life materials to reduce landfill waste.” The Carlisle 2023 Corporate Sustainability...

HVAC systems have changed dramatically since their inception. The first furnaces were built in the 1700s and the room-sized cooling units of the early 1900s pale in comparison to the residential and commercial units used today. And now, HVAC technologies are poised to make another sizable leap by integrating artificial intelligence. AI will be integral to optimizing future heating and cooling systems by creating comfortable and sustainable living spaces while minimizing environmental impact and energy consumption. Models already in use by companies like KOVA can predict users’ heating and cooling needs and optimize output to save up to 30 percent...

Many of you use PTAC units to heat and cool guestrooms and other spaces in your hotel. When those PTACs have reached the “end of life,” what do you do with them? I recently spoke with Mylien Collins, Vice President of Digital Marketing at RoomOne Solutions, to get her company’s take on the lifecycle of the PTAC. RoomOne Solutions’ PTAC4Less takes used PTACs and renovates them for resale back into the hotel market—contributing to a more circular economy. Any PTACs that cannot be revitalized are scrapped. “Every single piece gets recycled properly,” Mylien told me. Any refrigerant that needs...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) will work with the Biden Administration during Greenbuild to announce plans to create a new national definition of a zero-emissions building. This is the future of buildings, and the definition will be an important tool for establishing a common understanding of what it really means to be a zero operating emissions building. As financial institutions, investors, and insurers grapple with climate risks, USGBC sees the baseline established by this definition as key to evolving market expectations. USGBC is currently developing the next phase of the LEED rating system—LEED v5—and is committed to aligning the new rating systems by including specific LEED certifications designed to certify projects to the national definition. LEED, which launched the green building revolution 30...

CAMPBELL, CALIF.—ChargePoint, a leading provider of networked charging solutions for electric vehicles (EVs), and global innovator LG Electronics (LG) have formed a strategic partnership to leverage their respective strengths for future innovations in EV charging. The first output of this relationship will be commercial charging solutions that encompass ChargePoint’s industry-leading charger management software and LG’s advanced EV charging hardware, with deliveries expected to begin later this summer. Future areas of collaboration may include combining ChargePoint EV charging solutions with LG energy storage systems, integration of the LG ThinQ smart home platform with ChargePoint’s award-winning Home Flex residential charger, and chargers that leverage LG’s...