NATIONAL REPORT—Interest in eco-friendly commercial buildings is on the rise and scrutiny of organizations’ ESG initiatives mean building owners’ and other stakeholders’ reputations and revenue depend upon them taking steps to become more sustainable. The Center on Global Energy Policy recently reported the buildings sector worldwide consumes approximately 30 percent of global energy—natural gas, electricity and solid and liquid fuels for heating, cooling, lighting, equipment and cooking. The commentary also pointed out the importance of decarbonization in the buildings sector. Interest in eco-friendly commercial buildings is on the rise, especially with increasing reports of global warming and companies’ impact of using vast amounts of...

CHICAGO—As a pioneer in destination wellness spa resorts for nearly 30 years, Miraval Resorts & Spas brings its core intention of empowering people to lead their best lives to the podcast space with the launch of Miraval Life in Balance. The first podcast from the Miraval brand aims to guide audiences to cultivate wellness, intention, and inspiration from anywhere in the world. Host Lauren Scruggs Kennedy, an American lifestyle and clean-living blogger, takes listeners on a virtual journey of insight and mindfulness to Miraval Resorts & Spas, where thought leaders, brand collaborators, and guests share their personal expertise on wellbeing practices and...

BETHESDA, MD.—Earlier this week, on World Refugee Day, Marriott International announced it has committed to hiring more than 1,500 refugees throughout its European region by 2026. This follows Marriott’s commitment to hire over 1,500 refugees by 2025 in the United States. Marriott President and CEO Anthony Capuano announced Marriott’s hiring commitment during the Tent Partnership for Refugees European Business Summit this week. “At Marriott International, we believe in being a force for good and making a positive and sustainable impact in the communities where we do business,” said Capuano. “Across Europe, this has included support for refugees from Ukraine since the start...

PARIS—For many years, Accor has been committed to sustainable development. In 2020, the Group set out its commitment to contribute to net zero carbon emissions globally by 2050 and reduce its absolute emissions by 46 percent (Scope 1&2) and by 28 percent (Scope 3) by 2030. Accor wants to go a step further in its sustainability transformation and commits to supporting its 5,400 hotels in obtaining an external sustainable certification. Alongside Accor joining the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) last year, the Group announced that two additional global partnerships have been signed with Green Key and Green Globe, both partners...

HONG KONG—Driven by a sense of purpose to build a future where people and place enrich one another, Rosewood Hotel Group has announced Rosewood Impacts, a groupwide roadmap for delivering positive impact on all its communities and the planet we call home. With deeper commitments to empowering people across the brand’s entire ecosystem and a sustainability approach that puts circular hospitality at the core of business operations, Rosewood Impacts is both a recognition of the group’s ongoing programs and a strategic roadmap for future efforts. With tangible goals in the fields of sustainability, employment, partnerships and more, the comprehensive...

LAS VEGAS—Points of Light, the world’s largest nonprofit dedicated to accelerating people-powered change, recently announced The Civic 50 honorees of 2023, which included Caesars Entertainment for the ninth consecutive year. A report featuring key trends, benchmarking data and insights from the honorees was also released. Now in its eleventh year, The Civic 50 is a national standard for corporate citizenship and showcases how leading companies are moving social impact, civic engagement, and community to the core of their business. The Civic 50 honorees are companies with annual U.S. revenues of at least $1 billion and are selected based on four...

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—The time is now for the global travel industry to enact meaningful changes for the climate, according to a newly released report, “The State of Climate Action in Business Travel—Global Industry Barometer 2023,” from the GBTA Foundation, the charitable arm of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). As reflected in the findings, “business travel is at a critical juncture” as the industry continues to adjust to new realities and envisions a more resilient future for global travel. The report was unveiled at the 2nd GBTA Sustainability Summit held in Washington, D.C., where Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA, underscored the importance of collaboration to facilitate...

BANGKOK—A peaceful haven nestled in the beating heart of the Eternal City, Six Senses Rome opened its doors in the historical Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini on March 16. This milestone also marks the completed renovation of the magnificent façade of the adjacent San Marcello al Corso Church, the first sustainability project sponsored by the hotel. “After almost three decades away from my hometown, it is a joy to be back to lead such an incredible project,” says Francesca Tozzi, General Manager of Six Senses Rome. “It makes my team and I feel very proud to open the first urban...

PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS—Atlantis Paradise Island, a global leader in marine life conservation, will be home to The Bahamas’ first coral gene bank, making strides in the global fight against Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD), an affliction decimating coral populations in The Bahamas and beyond. Nearly half of The Bahamas and Caribbean’s reef-building coral species are susceptible to SCTLD. Of the 45 reef-building coral species within the region, more than half can catch the disease, including some of the slowest-growing and longest-lived species such as brain, pillar, and star corals. Coral survival rate of SCTLD is extremely low and once infected, corals can die within weeks. Signed into effect on May...

LONDON—1 Hotels, the nature-inspired luxury lifestyle hotel brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, announces that its U.K. flagship and first European destination, located in the heart of London’s historic Mayfair, is now accepting reservations with an anticipated opening date of July 13, 2023. The nine-story sustainable sanctuary overlooks the stately trees and verdant lawns of Green Park, just steps away from the world-class galleries, sophisticated boutiques, first-class restaurants and renowned emporia of Bond Street, Berkeley Square and Piccadilly. 1 Hotel Mayfair consciously creates an unexpected fusion of sustainability and luxury in the fashionable heart of London’s most exclusive hospitality district. The...