PARIS—Concorde Hotels & Resorts has launched a new corporate social responsibility (CSR) program at its 27 four and five-star hotels around the world. The program is centered around three key pillars: environmental commitment, social commitment, and societal commitment. Environmental commitment starts with the development of carbon footprints of the hotels, in turn allowing the group to reduce energy consumption, fight pollution, better sort its waste, and develop an offering of in-season products on the menus of its restaurants. This commitment spans all areas: • Kitchens—The adaptation of pans to the size of the burners in order to limit the loss...

ACTON, MASS.—The parking lot adjacent to your building may soon be good for more than just parking cars. If Acton, Mass.-based Novotech, Inc. is successful in the development of its new technology, the heat energy in the pavement in your lot could soon be used to heat hot water or be used in absorption chillers to provide cooling (see illustration below). According to Tracy Snelling III, vice president of business development for Novotech, the company is currently testing its technology that incorporates plastic PEX tubing that is located about an inch below the pavement. The tubing, arranged in a serpentine pattern, carries...

SEATTLE—The Living Building Challenge, widely regarded as the world’s most rigorous green building performance standard, has redefined the design and construction process for more than 70 projects since its launch in 2006. The International Living Building Institute announced the results of its first third-party certification audits earlier this month, declaring that the world’s first ‘Living Buildings’ are finally a reality. The Omega Center for Sustainable Living in Rhinebeck, N.Y., and the Tyson Living Learning Center in Eureka, Mo., each earned full certification, or “Living” status. Additionally, Eco-Sense, a private residence in Victoria, B.C., earned partial program certification, “Petal Recognition,” for...

PALMETTO BAY, FLA.—The Everglades Foundation released the results of a comprehensive analysis of the financial return on investment generated by restoration of America’s Everglades ecosystem. The study, conducted by Mather Economics, projects that restoration will produce an increase in economic benefits of approximately $46.5 billion that could range up to $123.9 billion based on an investment of $11.5 billion. “It is clear that Everglades restoration not only produces ecological benefits, but also generates a robust economic boost to our economy,” said Kirk Fordham, CEO, Everglades Foundation. “For every dollar spent on Everglades restoration, we are getting four dollars back in...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hampton Hotels recently announced that the Hampton Inn and Suites in Folsom, Calif., has achieved LEED certification, as recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This is the second Hampton hotel property to earn LEED recognition for sustainable building design, construction and operations. “We are proud to add the Hampton Inn & Suites Folsom to the property list of LEED certified Hampton hotels,” said Phil Cordell, global head, Focused Service and Hampton Brand. “Sustainability is a driving force for the brand and for Hilton Worldwide.  Partnering with franchisees like Folsom Lodging keeps us at the forefront of our...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed revisions to the guidance that it gives marketers to help them avoid making misleading environmental claims. The proposed changes are designed to update the FTC’s Green Guides and make them easier for companies to understand and use. The changes to the Green Guides include new guidance on marketers’ use of product certifications and seals of approval, “renewable energy” claims, “renewable materials” claims, and “carbon offset” claims. The FTC is seeking public comments on the proposed changes until December 10, 2010, after which it will decide which changes to make final. “In recent...

ABU DHABI, U.A.E.—A world leading expert on responsible tourism is urging key industry stakeholders to accept responsibility for advancing a sustainable agenda and is joining a growing lobby which will press the case at next month’s World Green Tourism Abu Dhabi. Professor Harold Goodwin, director of the U.K.’s International Centre for Responsible Tourism says the Abu Dhabi conference, which will run at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from November 22 to 24, could be a platform for change. “For too long the major stakeholders have failed to take responsibility for their impacts and for making their businesses more economically,...

NATIONAL REPORT—Carpeting is certainly one of the most significant considerations when designing a hotel’s interior—from an aesthetic, cost, maintenance, and durability perspective. Fortunately for the lodging industry, and for those who specify or purchase carpet, manufacturers of the floor covering material are making it easier to minimize one’s environmental impact without compromising any aspect of the product. Increasingly, manufacturers are taking a Cradle to Cradle approach to manufacturing—making sure that as few resources as necessary are used during manufacturing, that as much recycled content as possible is included in the carpeting and its backing, and that at the end...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. debuted new guestroom designs for its Westin and Sheraton hotels. The new room schemes, from furniture to textiles, were custom-created by Starwood’s in-house Brand Design team led by Erin Hoover, vice president of design. With a background in fashion, fine art and industrial design, the team applied key learning’s from extensive in-room behavior research which indicated a desire for a greater level of stylish functionality—resulting in design specifically targeted to address some of traveler’s biggest pet peeves. The new room designs will be featured in new hotels and renovation projects globally...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) 2010 Fall Conference, held in conjunction with the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show (IHMRS), is November 12 to 16 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. The AH&LA Hospitality Leadership Forum on Saturday, November 13, is comprised of seminars on a wide range of industry topics, as well as perennial favorites, the CEO Leadership Panel and the Lodging Industry Summit Panel. This year’s keynote features two former members of Congress who’ll provide an insider’s view of the political landscape just one week after the mid-term elections.  The invitation-only...