NEW YORK—As Hilton New York plays host during Earth Week to sustainability experts and advocates from across the corporate world for the Sustainable Operations Summit being held from April 17 to 19, Manhattan’s largest hotel announces the completion of a new green roof system and the installation of a cogeneration (combined heat and power) system, both designed to reduce the hotel’s overall carbon footprint. To help promote awareness of the hotel’s sustainability efforts, all guests staying at Hilton New York will be provided with room keycards that depict an image of the new green roof.“Hilton New York is dedicated...

SEATTLE—The menu at the remodeled Aquaterra restaurant at the Seattle Airport Marriott reflects more sustainable seafood and local Pacific Northwest ingredients, according to chef James Neighbor. He said fine dining in Seattle has been taken up a notch with the introduction of Marriott’s “Future Fish” program which works with local produce vendors to help reduce the restaurant’s carbon footprint.“‘Freshness embraced’ is the philosophy of our kitchen,” Neighbor, who has been with Marriott for 18 years, said. “Our focus is on fresh local items prepared simply, seasoned correctly and not over-sauced.”Signature items now include Cascioppo Bros. chorizo and clams and...

NEW YORK—Less than one year after becoming corporate partners, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has reached a significant sustainability milestone with Clean the World Foundation Inc. Starwood has surpassed 50,000 hotel rooms participating in the Clean the World amenities recycling program. The hotel rooms represent nearly 30 percent of the total Starwood properties in North America.Clean the World and Starwood announced a corporate partnership on Earth Day, 2011. Since joining Clean the World’s hospitality partnership program, Starwood properties have contributed more than 278,000 pounds of hygiene products—soaps, shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and lotions—which would have been discarded as...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The 2012 International Green Construction Code (IGCC), released in late March, will increase the energy-efficiency of structures, while providing governments direction and oversight of green design and construction, according to the International Code Council (ICC)—the code’s author—and one of several U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) partners in the effort. USGBC, makers of the LEED green building certification system and co-authors of ANSI/ASHRAE/IES/USGBC Standard 189.1, applauds this new model code that serves as an important new policy option for state and local governments looking to codify green building practice.“The IGCC and Standard 189.1 draw from more than a decade...

PARIS—With 40,000 new rooms created every year, Accor intends to combine development with growth that respects the environment and local communities, by involving all of its hotels and customers in a new sustainable development program—PLANET 21. The name is a direct reference to Agenda 21, the environmental action plan signed at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, and reminds one of the urgent concerns that face the planet in the 21st century and the need to change methods of production and consumption patterns to preserve human beings and eco-systems.With PLANET 21, Accor is making 21 commitments and the same...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the winners of the inaugural Hyatt Thrive Leadership Awards recognizing full service, managed hotels, resorts, and field offices for their outstanding commitment in 2011 to initiatives aligned with Hyatt’s global corporate responsibility platform Hyatt Thrive. To be considered, applicants must have demonstrated leadership in environmental sustainability and/or community engagement.A total of six awards will be distributed every year to the hotels and resorts that demonstrate exemplary leadership in these two areas. More than 70 nominations were submitted this year, and winners were selected by a cross functional committee comprised of representatives from Hyatt leadership and...

RALEIGH, N.C.—The N.C. Division of Environmental Assistance and Outreach, in partnership with the Center for Sustainable Tourism at East Carolina University, have launched the NC GreenTravel Initiative, a program that recognizes state travel-related businesses that employ healthy environmental practices.“This program is a way to spotlight North Carolina’s commitment to sustainable practices and recognize businesses that have integrated greener practices into their daily routine,” said Edythe McKinney, director of the Division of Environmental Assistance and Outreach. “Hopefully those who visit businesses recognized as NC GreenTravel sites will see how conservation and waste reduction can be integrated into their home or...

SANTA MONICA, CALIF.—Shore Hotel announced it has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED is USGBC’s rating system for designing, constructing and maintaining the world’s greenest, most energy efficient and high performing buildings and the Shore Hotel, designed by Gensler, is the first property in Santa Monica to receive this distinction.“Shore Hotel is honored to receive LEED Gold certification,” says Steve Farzam, COO of Shore Hotel. “We support ongoing efforts to be responsible and sustainable in every area of our business and through this achievement, we have demonstrated our commitment and dedication to...

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM—Employees and corporate clients of all Belgian Carlson Rezidor hotels and the head office of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group have planted more than 1,700 trees in the Sonian forest near Brussels. Eighty volunteers joined the activity organized by Carlson Rezidor’s Responsible Business department.“We were celebrating the 10th year of our annual tree-planting,” said Gaston Gellens, district director Belgium and general manager of the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Brussels. “It was great to welcome participants of all our Park Inn by Radisson and Radisson Blu hotels in the country.” On a strip prepared by Agentschap Natuur en Bos Vlaanderen...

BANGKOK—Pegasus Capital Advisors L.P., a U.S.-based private equity fund manager, through one or more of its affiliates, has entered into a binding agreement to acquire the Bangkok-based ultra-luxury resort and spa business of Six Senses Resorts & Spas for an undisclosed sum. Under the terms of the deal, Pegasus will acquire all of the Six Senses and Evason branded resort and spa management contracts and related intellectual property rights and operate them under a new company managed by Pegasus and its affiliates. Six Senses is well known for its SLOW LIFE approach to operations: Sustainable-Local-Organic-Wellness Learning-Inspiring-Fun-Experiences. Bernhard Bohnenberger,...