Announcements from The Conference Board in recent months, while not geared toward hospitality, should be of great interest to company executives in our industry—especially those impacting sustainability/ESG initiatives. The findings do not come as a surprise but are worth noting, nevertheless. According to a Conference Board survey of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies, just 432 large U.S. companies filed sustainability reports during the first half of 2025, a sharp drop from the 831 that did so during the same period last year. Andrew Jones, Principal Researcher at The Conference Board Governance & Sustainability Center, says the low number of reports likely...

BARBADOS—The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has signed a landmark two-year agreement with global nonprofit Conservation International to promote nature-positive tourism throughout the Caribbean. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on June 11, 2025, at CTO’s headquarters in Barbados, establishes a framework for joint efforts to advance sustainable tourism models that protect biodiversity, strengthen local economies, and improve community well-being. The partnership aligns with CTO’s Reimagine 2025–2027 Plan, which champions bold, resilient and inclusive strategies to shape the future of tourism in the region. Collaborative actions under the MoU will focus on advancing sustainable, nature-positive tourism through conservation-driven investments, support for community-led initiatives...

LINCOLN, NEB.—New data shows that last year, nearly one-third of the Arbor Day Foundation’s tree planting work in cities and towns was related to addressing extreme heat. “Communities are struggling to endure the pressures of rising heat and they’re reaching for trees as a way to cope. This data is a validator of trees in their role as critical infrastructure. In our world’s cities, trees are a ‘must-have’, not just a ‘nice-to-have’,” said Dan Lambe, CEO of the Arbor Day Foundation. “As the rate of extreme heat increases, so must our response. The Arbor Day Foundation is focused on leveraging the latest...

  WASHINGTON, D.C.—Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown has installed 275 solar panels on the hotel’s rooftop to offset energy consumption. With a long history of environmental stewardship, Fairmont has fully embraced the company-wide initiative designed to reduce the impact of hotel operations on the environment. “Adding solar panels to our rooftop significantly increases our commitment to energy conservation, and the reduction of carbon emissions contributes to a cleaner environment,” says Mark Huntley, Regional Vice President & General Manager. The solar panels are expected to produce 130,000 kilowatt hours for the first year, and offset electricity by at least 2 percent. Installed by ROI Construction, the...

NEW YORK—Eighty-seven percent of U.S. companies say they’ve maintained or increased their investment in business sustainability efforts this year, according to the 2025 U.S. Business Sustainability Landscape Outlook: Executive Perspectives on Supply Chain Disruption, Resilience and Competitiveness, released by EcoVadis. The findings reveal a shifting approach: companies are still prioritizing business sustainability behind the scenes, but fewer are promoting it publicly. Executives see sustainability as a way to stay competitive and resilient, especially at a time when the scaling back of ESG regulatory oversight raises concerns about greater supply chain disruption. The report identifies five major trends shaping corporate sustainability strategy in 2025: ...

TAMPA, FLA.—With roots going all the way back to 1926, McKibbon Hospitality has a long history of developing and managing hotels. Along the way, the company has guided hotels representing all the major brands through their sustainability initiatives—saving energy, water and reducing waste while building a culture of community and giving. For almost three years, Rafael Ibarcena has led McKibbon Hospitality’s Corporate Social Responsibility program. Green Lodging News interviewed Ibarcena, the company’s Corporate Sustainability Manager, to learn about the unique leadership and services McKibbon Hospitality provides and how it interacts with each brand’s own sustainability initiatives. The following are the...

LOUIS—Copeland, a global provider of sustainable heating, cooling and refrigeration solutions, released its inaugural Global Impact Report, highlighting the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability, social progress and operational excellence. Following its transition to a standalone company in May 2023, this report offers a comprehensive overview of Copeland’s initiatives to improve its global impact while delivering innovative solutions to its customers. Copeland’s steadfast commitment to sustainability, operational excellence and global responsibility is driven by the three core pillars of its Mission: Purpose, Performance and People. Through innovative approaches and a culture rooted in accountability and community impact, the company is helping address...

BEIJING—As one of the world’s largest industries representing 10 percent of the global economy, travel and tourism has become an integral part of the modern lifestyle. However, unsustainable travel practices, including the consumption of illegal wildlife products, are putting immense pressure on ecosystems and accelerating biodiversity loss. Tourism also contributes significantly to climate change, responsible for an estimated 6.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. In ecologically sensitive areas, frequent human activities can lead to habitat destruction, environmental pollution and disturbance of wildlife. According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)’s Living Planet Report 2024, there has been a 73 percent...

NATIONAL REPORT—In recent years, ESG—Environmental, Social, and Governance—has gone from buzzword to boardroom priority. But how does ESG look in action for global hotel brands? As sustainability moves from peripheral strategy to operational imperative, Hilton, Marriott, and Wyndham are leading the charge in distinct yet converging ways. This article dives into the ESG progress of these three international hotel chains between 2021 and 2023, highlighting trends, innovations, and opportunities hospitality executives should pay attention to. Whether you're managing a boutique property or overseeing a global brand portfolio, their strategies offer valuable insights into the future of sustainable hospitality. Environmental Progress: Emissions,...

NEW YORK—LebaTex, a renowned commercial textile company dedicated to producing high-quality, sustainable fabrics, announces the launch of the Tidal Collection. This performance upholstery line combines stunning ocean-inspired designs with a powerful environmental mission, incorporating SEAQUAL YARN made from marine plastic waste. Created in partnership with SEAQUAL INITIATIVE, the six-pattern Tidal Collection is woven using yarns derived from plastic debris recovered from beaches, oceans, rivers, and estuaries. Each fabric supports global efforts to clean the oceans and reinforces LebaTex’s commitment to sustainability without compromising on durability or design. “We developed the Tidal Collection to embody the spirit of sustainability without sacrificing performance,”...