SOLON, OHIO—Tarkett, a worldwide leader in innovative and sustainable flooring and sports surface solutions, has released its 2020 Corporate Social & Environmental Responsibility (CSR) report. Fully audited by an independent third-party organization, KPMG, this report showcases the company’s ongoing sustainability performance. “In the last ten years, we have achieved strong progress in sustainability. In many cases we have exceeded our 2020 objectives, developing circular economy initiatives, reducing our carbon footprint and eco-designing our products with healthy materials,” says CEO Fabrice Barthélemy. “Opening a second chapter in its sustainability strategy, Tarkett is leading the way in its industry. As part of our ‘Change...

According to the Robb Report, Hayri Atak Architectural Design Studio (HAADS) is planning a spinning 152-suite hotel for Qatar that will float and feature the latest green technology—a combination of technologies never before seen in the lodging industry. “The futuristic design is characterized by its unique ability to spin and produce clean energy just like a giant hydro generator,” the article says. “As per the project specs shared by HAADS, the hotel generates electricity by automatically rotating its position and converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. To achieve this, the structure is equipped with a set of propellers and thrusters...

Transitioning America’s buildings away from burning fossil fuels for heating and water heating, toward equipment powered by increasingly clean electricity is key to meeting the nation’s climate goals, including President Biden’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Innovative energy code language, developed by the New Buildings Institute in partnership with NRDC and released recently, will provide a template to help get cities and states on track to reduce energy use as well as carbon emissions in new buildings. Buildings are responsible for around 40 percent of all carbon emissions in the United States, so addressing their efficiency and emissions...

CHEVY CHASE, MD.—One of the fastest growing hotel management companies in the United States—PM Hotel Group—also happens to be one of the ones most committed to corporate responsibility. The Chevy Chase, Md.-based company has its own Director of Sustainability + Facilities (Christie Berlin), manages four LEED hotels, including one LEED Platinum (Home2 Suites by Hilton Silver Spring, Md.) and purchases 100 percent green energy. “We started 10 years ago with 11 hotels,” Berlin says. “We now manage 51 and are working on three development projects at the moment.” “This company has always been committed to corporate responsibility,” Berlin adds. “It definitely...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—As the world emerges from the pandemic, there is an increasing amount of buzz about sustainability, particularly the climate crisis. Governments around the world are setting ambitious decarbonization targets in advance of the COP26 event in the United Kingdome in December. Investors are putting increasing pressure on companies to measure and disclose their sustainability impacts, and consumers are showing more propensity towards sustainable products. What does this mean for the hospitality industry? While many companies have robust and well-established sustainability programs, and the carbon intensity of the global hotel sector has decreased by 10 percent since 2015, the pandemic has added pressure in areas such as...

LONDON—Pentair, a leading provider of water treatment and sustainable solutions, announced it received the 2021 Energy Star Partner of the Year—Sustained Excellence Award for continued leadership and superior contributions to Energy Star. Pentair was the first pool equipment manufacturer to have an Energy Star certified pool pump and has been recognized as an Energy Star Partner of the Year every year since 2013. Since 2005, Pentair’s variable speed pool pumps have helped U.S. consumers save $3.0 billion in operating costs, which translates into 27 billion kilowatt hours of energy saved. The kilowatt hour energy savings helped prevent the release of more...

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN—Dometic announces a game-changing new minibar series, Dometic HiPro. The new minibars reduce operational expenses for hotel owners by lowering power consumption considerably. Dometic itself designs and manufactures the advanced engineering technology that made it possible for the new series to achieve up to 50 percent lower power consumption (own comparison) while improving cooling performance. Peter Kjellberg, CMO and Head of Other Verticals says, “In addition to superior performance, the new series has many industry-first designs. Unique interior illumination is made so that the entire menu in the bar is beautifully presented through the full-glass door, even the minibar...

BALTIMORE, MD.—The Baltimore Aircoil Co. (BAC) ENDURADRIVE Fan System ensures unmatched peace of mind in the operation of mission-critical cooling applications through a dramatically simplified design. The ENDURADRIVE Fan System features permanent magnet, direct-drive technology, in which the fan motor is directly coupled to the fan, eliminating the need for intermediary moving parts like gears or belts. The advanced design is specifically engineered so that the motor, VFD, and cooling tower work together to provide unparalleled reliability. The ENDURADRIVE Fan System’s design reduces the risk and cost of failures due to moisture ingress, with upgraded insulation, a double O-ring, a drive-end seal, and an integrated...

MCLEAN, VA.—Last year was undoubtedly one of the worst years in the history of the lodging industry but that bad year saw the continuation of one of the industry’s most notable success stories—Hilton’s Home2 Suites extended stay brand. Designed with “sustainability being a key pillar,” according to Global Brand Head Leonard Gooz, this year marks the tenth anniversary of the brand. As of December 31, 2020, there were 463 open and 409 in the pipeline. According to Hilton, the 500th Home2 Suites is expected to open by the end of this quarter. STR says Home2 Suites saw the most supply...

Buildings—including our homes and places of work—are responsible for one third of the fossil gas (a.k.a. “natural” gas) consumed in the United States each year. We burn gas and other fossil fuels like oil and propane inside buildings largely to heat the rooms and the water inside them. That adds up to 12 percent of the country’s yearly greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Fortunately, efficient electric technology is readily available to replace our old, dirty fossil fuel-burning heating appliances. An NRDC fact sheet released explains how this transition that is crucial to fighting the climate crisis can also make our...