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...

It was a busy last week with Earth week peaking on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22. There were numerous newsworthy announcements worth mentioning. First, Hilton released its Environmental, Social and Governance Report. The ESG Report highlights the company’s environmental and social performance during a tumultuous year. Among the report’s highlights: The company took steps to increase sourcing of renewable energy at hotels around the world, in line with the company’s science-based targets. In 2020, most Hilton-managed hotels in the United Kingdom began procuring 100 percent renewable electricity. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced it is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its award-winning...

DELAVAN, WIS.—The immediate pandemic-related challenges facing businesses, schools and institutions has led to a drastic shift in the way they all address how to provide a safe, healthy, and smart process for reopening and operating their buildings. Thankfully, they now all have a sensible path to reopening and operating safely without risking any of their own capital. Onsite Utility Services Capital (OUS Capital) announces the Clean Air as a Service program: An affordable and efficient air purification system that removes odors, particulates, viruses (including Covid-19), bacteria, and volatile organic compounds from a building’s indoor air, without discharging any harmful byproducts, all without requiring any capital, debt or maintenance costs. Using patented cold plasma...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton has released its 2020 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, which highlights the company’s continued commitment to redefining sustainable travel and driving positive impact on people and the planet. Through Hilton’s Travel with Purpose program, the company continues to take important steps to integrate positive social impact and environmental stewardship throughout its operations, communities, and supply chain. “As we weathered this unpredictable year, Hilton has remained focused on our Team Members and the communities we serve around the world,” said Kristin Campbell, General Counsel and Chief ESG officer, Hilton. “We took a nimble approach during this difficult period to...

SAVANNAH, GA.—Green Badger, the premier cloud-based LEED certification software solution for the construction industry, has announced the release of the Jobsite Sustainability portal­­, a platform for builders, general contractors and owners to benchmark and track carbon emissions, jobsite wellness, and energy and water consumption throughout the construction process. The new functionality allows construction projects to incorporate sustainability goals across all jobsites, while comparing to internal or industry standards. “Incorporating sustainability into all projects is important, even when a 3rd party green certification isn't required,” said Tommy Linstroth, founder, and CEO of Green Badger. “Carbon and energy are traditionally focuses once...