This past week The Walt Disney Co. released its 2021 Corporate Social Responsibility Report. It is longer than most at 83 pages but an interesting read with a kickoff letter from Bob Chapek, CEO. No surprise, Disney took a storytelling approach to its report and there are three focus areas: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Environmental Sustainability; and Community.
In the area of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, seven of the company’s 11 Directors represent racial/ethnic or gender diversity, including the Chairman and all four of the committee chairs. This year the company also directed more than 50 percent of its annual charitable giving to programs serving underrepresented communities, translating to over $150 million.
Under Environmental Sustainability, the report includes an update on the progress Disney is making toward its 2030 Environmental Goals, which include a commitment to achieve net zero emissions for direct operations. In April of last year, Disney announced it is teaming up with local utility providers to build two new solar facilities expected to come online near Walt Disney World in 2023 that—along with existing solar sources—will power up to 40 percent of the resort’s annual electricity needs. Disney also installed solar arrays at Castaway Cay and Hong Kong Disneyland. Disney is also working towards defining a science-based reduction goal for the company’s Scope 3 emissions by the end of 2022. In 2021, Disney diverted 60 percent of operational waste from landfills.
Chapek says Disney remains committed to saving wildlife and protecting nature by continuing to invest millions annually through its Disney Conservation Fund.
Under Community, through the VoluntEARS program, Disney employees and cast members dedicated more than 340,000 hours to helping others last year—whether through food donations, wish granting, Disney’s children’s hospital initiative, and Covid-19 response.
Simultaneous with releasing its CSR Report, Disney also launched its new social responsibility website at impact.disney.com, where it will share stories and updates on its environmental, social, and governance work throughout the year.
Be sure to read the report that also details accomplishments in the area of water stewardship, water conservation, sustainable seafood, waste-reducing procurement policies, green design, and more.
Earth Hour & Earth Day
Earth Hour is planned this year for March 26 at 8:30 p.m. local time and Earth Day is April 22. In the past hotels have found very creative ways to mark these occasions. Got something planned for Earth Hour and/or Earth Day? Tell me about them by writing to greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Who is Your Sustainability Champion?
Green Lodging News is always looking to profile sustainability champions in our Personnel Profile section. If you would like to nominate someone for this section of Green Lodging News, contact me at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers, and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Get in the Green Suppliers Spotlight!
Green Lodging News, lodging’s leading environmental news source, publishes Green Suppliers Spotlight, an e-blast to 22,320 subscribers that features the lodging industry’s leading green products and services. The e-blast features multiple vendors—unlike the current Green Supplier Spotlight that allows one supplier to “own” the Green Lodging News subscriber list for one e-blast. (Click here for a Green Suppliers Spotlight sample.)
Green Suppliers Spotlight is published weekly on Thursdays to general managers, owners, management companies, directors of sustainability, directors of engineering, facilities managers and many others who are either in purchasing positions or who influence purchasing decisions. Suppliers of green products and services throughout North America and beyond are invited to participate in the e-blast. (Minimum two suppliers per e-blast.) Green Suppliers Spotlight was created to give vendors an opportunity to reach a high number of industry purchasers at a very low cost—as low as $200 per e-mail. (Click here for rate sheet.)
Those advertising in Green Suppliers Spotlight can include up to 100 words, one image, contact information and multiple links to their website in their ad. At the end of each week, a report will be sent to each supplier with information on delivered e-mails, opens and click-throughs.
Planning Advertising for 2022?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2022. Many excellent spots are available on our website and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. Many Green Supplier Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2022 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com. A media kit can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
Newsletter & Green Supplier Spotlight Circulation
The circulation of our weekly e-newsletter and Green Supplier Spotlight currently stands at 22,320. Thank you to our new subscribers for signing up. Be sure to encourage your colleagues to do the same. There are “subscribe” links on the Green Lodging News home page. You may also e-mail greenlodgingnews@gmail.com to be added to our list.
Green Lodging News & Social Media
Green Lodging News now has 1,751 Twitter followers. Thank you to all of those who follow our tweets. In addition to following us on Twitter, be sure to bookmark the Green Lodging News Blog in your browser. More importantly, participate with your comments. Green Lodging News is also on Facebook. Be sure to “Like” us there. Green Lodging News now has 975 Facebook likes.
As always, I can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
