RUEIL-MALMAISON, FRANCE—Schneider Electric, a leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, announced its 2023 sustainability impact performance as part of its full-year financial results. The Schneider Sustainability Impact score for the year exceeded expectations, reaching 6.13 out of 10, and surpassing the year-end target of 6 out of 10. Schneider Electric was also recognized as a top performer by independent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings throughout the year. Schneider Electric’s strong performance spans what was the hottest year on record—serving to highlight the importance of collective action to decarbonize business operations and value chains to avoid the...

IRVINE, CALIF.—With more than 50 years of innovation and linear lighting leadership, Tivoli Lighting introduces its Inspire Series, which includes Array and Eos chandeliers with its Flexile light engine that illuminates uniformly in multiple lengths to provide the look of traditional 360° neon. With their easily adjustable Flexile light engine to create a unique look and personal style, both Inspire Array and Eos are available in multiple LED color temperature options (2300K, 2700K, 3000K, 3500K and 4000K) and rod finishes (satin brass, vintage brass, brushed brass, black, white, natural Aluminum, polished aluminum and brushed copper). They provide high luminous efficiency and a 95+ CRI....

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF.—Auto-Chlor, a national leader in the production, installation, and service of energy-saving dishwashers, now offers the A6 EnergySaver Dish Machine in its line of high-efficiency machines. The A6 Dish Machine offers dual-mode sanitizing and a high-speed 45-second wash cycle, cleaning and sanitizing up to 72 racks per hour. Because of its water-efficient technology, the A6 dishwasher is NSF-rated, using as little as 0.69 gallons of water per wash cycle. The A6 machine is available in 208 or 204-volt and single or three-phase power options. The machine features integrated controls and pumps, cutting the need to mount chemical feeders...

In addition to the many brands and independents that are working hard to connect electric vehicle drivers with EV charging stations, so too is a Georgia-based entrepreneur with his Stay-N-Charge website. I recently spoke with Tony Booth, founder and CEO of the site that is a directory for lodgings with EV charging stations. (Click here for the article.) Whether your property has EV charging stations or not, I encourage you to check out the site. Stay-N-Charge, founded in 2021, currently has more than 1,300 properties listed. Today the site is experiencing about 7,000 to 8,000 unique visits a month. “A...

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GA.—Capitalizing on the growing percentage of road travelers who drive electric vehicles (EVs), the online Stay-N-Charge directory of lodging establishments with EV chargers in North America is gaining serious traction. A recent search on the site produced 1,353 properties with EV charging stations. The directory serves as a marketing tool for owners as well as a helpful resource for travelers looking for a place to stay and charge. Tony Booth, founder, and CEO of Stay-N-Charge, says that in the U.S. about 2 percent of car owners now drive EVs. In California it is about 15 percent. “Nationwide,...

FRAMINGHAM, MASS.—Ameresco, Inc., a leading cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, announced the completion of the installation of new energy efficiency and maintenance advancements at OUTRIGGER Kauai Beach Resort & Spa as part of a 15-year Energy as a Service (EaaS) agreement. The partnership allowed the oceanfront resort to update and replace its energy-related equipment without up-front capital. The $15.5 million energy efficiency renovation was designed and constructed by Ameresco in several phases over the last two years. Key upgrades included replacing 350 guestroom fan coil units with new smart thermostats, a new central chiller plant with...

Water consumption is a significant but often overlooked source of global carbon emissions. Large amounts of energy are required to treat and transport clean, safe water—an essential but limited, scarce resource. In the United States alone, water treatment and delivery accounts for 13 percent of the country’s total electricity consumption, releasing up to 290 million metric tons of carbon every year—approximately 5 percent of total U.S. emissions and equal to the carbon output of more than 60 coal-fired power plants. In California alone, water-related consumption of electricity, natural gas, and diesel fuel results in carbon emissions equal to 7 million passenger...

TALLAHASSEE, FLA.—With its Florida Green Lodging Program, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has one of the largest state-level hotel green designation programs in the United States. As of January 10, the Program had 319 designated Florida Green Lodging properties. The program is certainly one of the oldest as well, having launched in 2004. In its assessment of lodging establishments, the points-based Florida Green Lodging Program looks at the following five categories: 1. Communication and education (customers, employees, public). 2. Waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. 3. Water conservation. 4. Energy efficiency. 5. Indoor air quality. Properties can earn one of four designations: One Palm, Two Palm,...

BROOMFIELD, COLO.—Vail Resorts, Inc. announced the release of its 2022/23 Environmental & Social Responsibility Report. In 2017, Vail Resorts announced Commitment to Zero, a bold goal to achieve a zero net operating footprint by 2030, including zero net emissions, zero waste to landfill, and zero net operating impact to forests and habitat. The company shared it is ahead of schedule to reach its emissions goals, and on track for the broader goal of reaching a zero net operating footprint by 2030. With a commitment to make its mountain resorts more sustainable and inclusive, the company has made progress across all four pillars of...

One of the hottest topics in foodservice is the electrification of the kitchen and there are numerous organized and even legislative efforts to push businesses to go all-electric and eliminate natural gas. The aim is to decarbonize food and beverage operations. To help guide hoteliers, restaurateurs and others toward all-electric kitchens, the William J. Worthen Foundation included a very helpful volume (volume 5) in its “The Building Decarbonization Practice Guide.” The volume title: All-Electric Kitchens: Residential and Commercial, 2nd edition. I highly recommend reading through this section. It builds a very strong case for eliminating natural gas. “Kitchens present superb opportunities...