FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY—The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, the leading global network in responsible hospitality, has launched Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality for the Planet. The vision of the Pathway is that every hotel around the world can, and must, aim for net positive environmental impacts, whatever their starting point. To achieve this goal, the Pathway provides a practical, four-stage guidance framework as a free resource that supports all parts of the hospitality value chain to progress in a cohesive, strategic manner. It includes detailed action guidance for hotel operators, brands, and asset owners, applicable to both single and multi-unit...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Organic kombucha and tea leader Brew Dr. Kombucha announced plans to become carbon neutral by 2030. Their announcement to prioritize carbon neutral operations is part of several Brew Dr. initiatives underway in celebration of B Corp Month in March. Brew Dr. is the first major kombucha company to become B Corp certified, designating that the business meets high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency across several social and environmental categories. “Certified B Corps are considered leaders in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy, and we take that responsibility very seriously,” says Dan Stangler, CEO of Brew...

OMAHA, NEB.—Travelex Insurance Services has joined Tourism Cares, a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to the long-term survival of the travel and tourism industry. “Travelex is at a significant company milestone with twenty-five years in the industry and seeking meaningful ways to evolve as a leader in travel,” explains Shannon Lofdahl, President and CEO of Travelex Insurance. “The rich history behind Tourism Cares aligns with our mission to be a globally recognized travel insurance provider with heart. We’re eager to work collectively with other travel organizations to create positive change on a large scale.” The unique position of Tourism Cares connects travel and tourism...

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News has added Hotel Sustainability Solutions, Inc. (HSSI) as a Founding Sponsor at the Bronze level. HSSI is led by Charles A. Smith, CEO. HSSI focuses on the hospitality market with the analyzing, designing, implementing, and monitoring of individual and portfolio properties nationwide. HSSI has developed a client sustainability platform having 34 sustainability initiatives, which was a recipient of the prestigious California Governor’s GEELA Award (Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award). Smith is also CEO of Integrated Sustainability Solutions, Inc. (ISSI). ISSI uses a unique integration approach to assist the underwriting of costs to achieve impacting results. Financing models, depreciation schedules, energy efficient incentives, tax incentives...

LANCASTER, PA.—Armstrong World Industries, Inc. and Irving Consumer Products announced a partnership between their respective Macon, Ga. facilities designed to improve both companies’ environmental footprints. In the second quarter of 2022, Irving Consumer Products will begin diverting its tissue fiber waste to AWI’s mineral fiber plant, reducing Armstrong’s need to source and purchase recycled newsprint as an input raw material for its ceilings. As a result, AWI and Irving Consumer Products expect to divert more than 3,500 tons of fiber waste annually from landfill disposal, supporting their circularity and waste diversion sustainability goals. AWI is committed to circular manufacturing as an...

BURLINGAME, CALIF.—Furthering its commitment to sustainability and minimizing environmental impact, Standard Fiber, one of the world’s largest suppliers to the home textile market and manufacturer of basic bedding products, is launching a carbon reduction program where it will invest in carbon offsets for all cargo containers of textiles it exports from Asia to customers in the United States and 20 other countries around the world beginning this month. According to Standard Fiber, its carbon offsets will fund accredited carbon reduction programs such as protecting rainforest ecosystems from deforestation in Brazil and renewable energy programs on tribal lands in the United...

KEY WEST, FLA.—Members of the DiamondRock Hospitality executive leadership team presented a $5,000 check to Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) last month from proceeds of a special ‘Tis the SeaSon’ package that ran November 2021 through January 2022 at Margaritaville Beach House Key West. For each overnight stay, the resort made a $10 donation to the foundation, with a matching contribution from DiamondRock Hospitality. “It’s an honor to support the foundation, which works to protect and restore one of the area’s most treasured assets,” stated DiamondRock Chief Operating Officer Tom Healy. A nonprofit marine conservation organization, CRF is dedicated to restoring reefs to...

Greenbuild is the U.S. Green Building Council’s annual conference and trade show. USGBC just released its sustainability report from the 2021 event held at the San Diego Convention Center. Click here to view the report. It includes data on such things as waste diversion rate (80 percent), carbon impact per participant (413.27 pounds), and the amount of food donated (1,150 pounds). Informa, the parent company that produces the Greenbuild International Conference + Expo, has seven sustainability objectives for Greenbuild: 1. Move toward a zero-waste event. 2. Empower stakeholders to drive change in their industries. 3. Improve sustainable sourcing and procurement. 4. Improve event overall...

BERKELEY, CALIF.—The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the second contribution of its Sixth Assessment Report. The report concludes the impact of climate change is intensifying so rapidly that it is endangering nature and society’s capacity to adapt. It confirms the effects of the climate crisis are already being felt and have been much more widespread and negative than expected. An estimated 3.6 billion people are living in areas highly vulnerable to impacts. The IPCC stresses that near-term actions to limit global warming to 1.5°C are critical to reducing and avoiding projected damages; risks will be several times greater if temperatures...

THE MALDIVES—The Maldives’ smallest visitors can now learn about the country’s incredible marine life, with the launch of Amilla Maldives Resort’s new Mini Marine Biologists Program. The fun interactive course teaches kids about the amazing marine ecosystem and wildlife in the Maldives, from turtles and sharks to seabirds. Amilla’s first class of Junior Marine Biologists has just graduated this month. They were each presented with Mini Marine Biologist certificates as well as badges with seven pins on them, each representing the diverse topics they covered, and Kids’ Club backpacks in the shape of white-tailed tropicbird. Each interactive course consists of short...