MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton Worldwide launched a carbon offset program for events and meetings held at select properties across Southeast Asia. At no additional cost to customers, Hilton Worldwide will measure carbon generated by all events at 11 of its properties in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, and purchase carbon credits to offset their environmental impact. The carbon credits will be used to fund renewable energy projects in Borneo and Cambodia. “Sustainability is a priority to Hilton Worldwide and a central part of how we do business,” said William Costley, vice president, operations—Southeast Asia, Hilton Worldwide. “For us, it is not just...

NATIONAL REPORT—Two-thirds of CFOs say they are involved in driving sustainability strategies in their organizations, and more than half say their involvement has increased over the last year, according to a global survey, “Sustainability: CFOs Come to the Table,” launched by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL). The survey—representing 250 CFOs in 14 countries across five continents—provides global insight into how increasingly more CFOs are engaging with sustainability to support their business goals, and operationalizing sustainability to gain a competitive advantage.“Companies are sitting up and taking notice that sustainability is not just a brand or a corporate responsibility element—it is...

HONG KONG—Burba Hotel Network (BHN), Horwath HTL, and Stiles Capital Events, co-hosts and organizers of the annual Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP), announce the winners for the HICAP 2012 Sustainable Hotel Awards. The 23rd annual HICAP will be held this week at the InterContinental Hong Kong.Winners of the HICAP 2012 Sustainable Hotel Awards are: •    Sustainable Project Design—Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka—Jetwing Vil Uyana embodies what can be accomplished in providing a luxurious resort guest experience in a truly environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. Twenty-seven luxurious dwellings are integrated into a wetland reserve in an area of just...

DETROIT—Shel Kimen, the founder of an organization called Collision Works, is making progress in her attempt to build a 36-room boutique-style hotel in the Eastern Market area of Detroit. The hotel, which primarily would be constructed from shipping containers, would also include a 3,000-square-foot event space, co-working space—a mix of private and public space—and outdoor courtyard. At press time, Kimen was close to finalizing the purchase of the land from the City of Detroit.Kimen hatched the idea for the hotel in mid-2011 and has been working on the project since. Once the land has been purchased, the actual financing...

ATLANTA—IHG (InterContinental Hotel Groups) is the first hotel company in Australia to build an electric car charge network, connecting eight properties across the group with cutting-edge technology for a new and growing customer segment. Five IHG properties across New South Wales—including Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach, Crowne Plaza Terrigal, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, Holiday Inn Sydney Airport and Holiday Inn Old Sydney—currently have electric car (EV) charge spots in their property car parks or forecourts.The charge spots have been installed in partnership with leading electric car charge network Better Place. Drivers can plug into the charge spots and top-up their...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Federal Trade Commission issued revised “Green Guides” that are designed to help marketers ensure that the claims they make about the environmental attributes of their products are truthful and non-deceptive. The revisions to the FTC’s Green Guides reflect a wide range of public input, including hundreds of consumer and industry comments on previously proposed revisions. They include updates to the existing Guides, as well as new sections on the use of carbon offsets, “green” certifications and seals, and renewable energy and renewable materials claims.“The introduction of environmentally friendly products into the marketplace is a win for consumers...

PHILADELPHIA—ARAMARK hired 17 young professionals for the 2012 ARAMARK Environmental Sustainability Internship Program. The program provides participants with hands-on job experience as they help implement environmental solutions for ARAMARK clients at schools, universities, businesses and other locations in the United States and United Kingdom.In partnership with the Student Conservation Association (SCA), ARAMARK engages young people who are interested in careers that have a positive social and environmental impact. The young people also gain a practical understanding of how environmental sustainability operates within a business environment.“We recognize that our workforce is evolving and changing and we are looking at ways...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Grand announced the completion of its $160 million room and suite remodel in the hotel’s main tower, marking a major milestone in the resort’s “Grand Renovation.” The remodel, which began in October 2011, includes 3,570 Grand King and Queen guestrooms and 642 suites of varying types including the Skyline Terrace and Skyline Marquee Suites.In keeping with MGM Grand’s commitment to sustainability, the newly remodeled rooms and suites incorporate environmentally responsible elements including LED lighting; improved thermostats and solar shades to better manage temperature and guest comfort; upgraded faucets and showers; and bath amenities that are 100 percent...

LOS ANGELES—CBRE Group, Inc. announced the launch of the Real Green Research Challenge (RGRC), a four-year, $1 million commitment to fund leading-edge sustainability research and innovation relating to commercial real estate. The program was unveiled at The Climate Group’s Climate Week NYC. CBRE is accepting submissions for research proposals, with the goal of developing solutions to the industry’s critical environmental challenges.“We’ve seen growing market awareness of commercial buildings’ impact on the environment,” said Bob Sulentic, CBRE’s president. “This has inspired new thinking and innovation in sustainability research. However, people with good ideas often lack financial support and access to...

CHATTANOOGA, TENN.—Outdoors-oriented travelers headed to the Chattanooga area for rock climbing, bicycling, kayaking and other activities can now stay in a hostel that is officially among the world’s greenest. Opened in June 2011, The Crash Pad just recently earned its LEED Platinum designation. According to the hostel’s owners, Max Poppel and Dan Rose, The Crash Pad is the only hostel on the planet to earn LEED Platinum. Only three other lodging establishments in the United States have earned LEED Platinum through the U.S. Green Building Council.Located on one acre in downtown Chattanooga, The Crash Pad sits on a site...