ITHACA, N.Y.—The CHSB Index 2023 was released during the eCornell keynote Sustainability in the Hospitality Industry: How Data Is Making an Impact webinar on June 7, 2023. The hotel industry’s largest and longstanding annual data collection of energy, water, and carbon performance, CHSB is the primary reference tool for hoteliers to benchmark their performance, and for various stakeholders including governments and business travelers seeking to calculate the environmental impact of a hotel stay. It incorporates the Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative (HCMI) and Hotel Water Measurement Initiative (HWMI) methodologies to provide standardized, industry-backed data to end users. CHSB 2023 is the...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Climate change, freshwater depletion, unsustainable use of resources, and biodiversity collapse are some of the most pressing challenges faced by humanity today. As the world’s population increases, so does the pressure on the world’s natural resources and on local communities. While hospitality might on the surface be less damaging than other industries where pollution is more visible (manufacturing, transport, agriculture, etc.), the hospitality service sector and its supply chain are directly affecting and being affected by sustainability matters. Energy and water consumption, working conditions, employment, waste, and carbon emission are among the issues which need to be urgently...

NEW YORK—Invisible Urban Charging announced that it has partnered with global leader in project development and management JLL to roll out and service large-scale banks of electric vehicle (“EV”) chargers worldwide. Under the terms of the partnership, JLL will serve as IUC’s exclusive Project Management partner, providing a global installation capability through JLL’s network of electrical contractors, logistics, and signage partners, with all chargers connected to IUC’s proprietary core software platform to deploy and provide maintenance for large numbers of EV charger banks at heavily trafficked sites. “To meet the growing need for better EV charging infrastructure, you need partners able...

BANGKOK—Six Senses will open its first Greek resort in partnership with Grivalia Hospitality, one of the most significant investors in the ultra-luxury hospitality sector in Greece. It will be located on a southerly white-sand cove on Megalonisos, one of the 10 Petalioi islands and islets with some of the finest undiscovered beaches in the “Greek Maldives”. Six Senses Megalonisos will be a short boat ride from the port of Rafina, just across the mainland from Athens, or Marmari on Evia’s West coast. Whereas the island of Evia or Euboea was said to have been separated from mainland Greece by a...

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—TRSA, the association for linen, uniform and facility services providers, celebrates its Clean Green certification as the program embarks on its second decade. The certification is earned by companies that demonstrate leadership in environmental sustainability and meet certain benchmarks for water and energy conservation and emissions reduction. Over the past decade, 34 companies with 111 plants have shown their commitment to sustainability by meeting the requirements of the Clean Green certification. These companies have implemented water, energy, and fuel conservation measures to reduce their facilities’ environmental impact and shrink their carbon footprints. The commercial laundry industry, led by Clean Green certified...

MIAMI—Grupo Piñero announces the opening of Cayo Levantado Resort, an exclusive complex located in one of the most enigmatic destinations in the Dominican Republic. The opening of Cayo Levantado Resort marks Grupo Piñero’s venture into the luxury segment of the hotel industry, redefined through a commitment to sustainable innovation and sophistication. Situated just five kilometers from the Samaná Peninsula, Cayo Levantado Resort officially opened its doors in the presence of Isabel García Lorca, President and Founder of Grupo Piñero, and Encarna Piñero, Executive Vice President, and CEO. This unique resort, nestled on a captivating island, features 218 rooms spread across 10...

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND—Real estate investor and developer Lamington Group is adding to its pioneering eco hometel brand with the opening of room2 Belfast, the fourth outpost, and first property outside England, set to open later this summer. With the opening just months away, the team are giving a first look at the hometel, which is set to become a hub for the community in the heart of the bustling city, moments away from Belfast’s most popular attractions. The new property will consist of 175 rooms across nine floors as well as a vibrant café, beautifully designed tearoom, meeting and event spaces, a gym,...

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.—The Beverly Hilton and the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, two of California’s most iconic luxury hotels and champions for the environment, together with Nostromo Energy, provider of breakthrough energy storage solutions for commercial buildings, announced the launch of Nostromo’s sustainable energy storage system serving the two adjacent hotels. The system is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enable the hotels to reach their sustainability goals while saving on energy costs. This project with hotel ownership and leading real-estate asset management groups Alagem Capital Group and Cain International marks the first hospitality industry partnership using Nostromo’s innovative technology. During peak hours, air conditioning...

LOS ANGELES—EVgo Inc., one of the nation’s largest public fast charging networks for electric vehicles (EVs), announced that the company will be adding North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors to its fast-charging network across the country following the recent announcements by Ford and General Motors (GM) that they will be leveraging NACS starting some time in 2025. “EVgo first deployed integrated Tesla connectors in 2020, and with the recently announced expansion of the number of automakers using the NACS connector, we are excited to announce that we will also be integrating NACS connectors on the EVgo network in future deployments...

EXETER, ENGLAND—Zeal Hotels has acquired the site for its 142-room net zero carbon hotel, with construction due to begin in July at Exeter Science Park. Zeal Hotels has signed an Exclusivity Agreement with IHG Hotels & Resorts for the hotel, which Valor Hospitality will manage. The upscale lifestyle property, which is due to open in Q4 next year, aims for a minimum BREEAM rating of Excellent, with a target of Outstanding. Solar panels will ensure that the hotel generates all the energy required. Tim Wheeldon, Managing Director, Zeal Hotels, said: “The final pieces of our plan to create the first net...