HONOLULU, HAWAII—The award-winning Prince Waikiki, a 563-room oceanfront hotel with floor-to-ceiling ocean views in every guestroom located at the gateway of Honolulu’s vibrant Waikiki neighborhood, continues its streak of world-class hospitality with the prestigious AAA Four-Diamond designation, one of just 12 hotels on the Island of O’ahu to achieve the status. In addition to this accolade for meeting the highest standards of service, cleanliness, and hospitality, Prince Waikiki is one of just 14 businesses in Hawaii to receive the 2022 Hawaii Green Business Award as recognition for its commitment to sustainability, conservation, and clean energy. “We are honored to be recognized...

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...

BANGKOK—To translate the Six Senses vision of reconnection into an urban environment, the brand looks for iconic landmarks in some of the world’s most breathtaking downtown addresses and then weaves wellness, sustainable design, bespoke hospitality, and community into the guest experience. Following Istanbul, and with upcoming properties in Rome, New York, London, and Bangkok, Six Senses is now celebrating its entry into the heart of Lisbon. This also adds a second prime destination to its Portuguese portfolio after Six Senses Douro Valley in the heart of the country’s wine region. Authenticity in the City As is true with all of the...

BURBANK, CALIF.—The Walt Disney Co. released its 2021 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, which details its efforts to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion through stories and storytellers who reflect the rich diversity of our world, support environmental sustainability by taking action to help protect our planet, and bring comfort, optimism, and joy to our communities through Disney’s charitable giving. Disney also highlights its commitment to invest in its employees and cast members, and to operate responsibly. “Every company has a unique impact on the world. At Disney, creating stories and experiences that inspire and bring people together is ours. Our stories encourage...

HONOLULU—'Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, the award-winning hotel located steps from the beach in the center of Waikiki, announced its commitment to achieve PAS 2060 carbon neutral certification. The resort has engaged DEKRA for verification services and has partnered with the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative (HLRI) and Legacy Carbon LLC to help offset the carbon footprint of the resort. This builds upon Alohilani Resort’s existing sustainability initiatives, including its commitment to plant 100,000 indigenous trees in its Legacy Forest, and its use of renewable electricity throughout the hotel. Providing a carbon-neutral experience means guests can ease their conscience while they enjoy...

Three stories caught my attention this past week. First, as reported in Reuters and according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), sea levels around the United States are expected to increase up to a foot over the next 30 years due to climate change—as much as they have risen in the last century. Sea levels will tend to be higher along the Atlantic and Gulf shores, because of greater land subsidence there, than along the Pacific coasts. The NOAA study, designed as a planning tool to mitigate and adapt to rising sea levels predicted, has a high degree...

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA—The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), the developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism project, achieved an overall score of 91 out of 100 in 2021’s ESG-assessment and benchmark exercise by Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB)—exceeding the score of 84 it accomplished last year. As a result of achieving high scores across the board, GRESB has awarded TRSDC with the prestigious Regional Sector Leader award—an achievement that honors companies that have out-performed their sector. “Last year we set the bar very high, with a score that we were extremely proud to achieve. Not only have we exceeded our...

SOLON, OHIO—Tarkett, a worldwide leader in innovative and sustainable flooring and sports surface solutions, announced its new Climate Roadmap for 2030, in full alignment with the Paris Climate Agreement objective to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The company will deliver a 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by 2030. The independent organization Science Based Targets (SBTi) has started the evaluation and approval of Tarkett’s greenhouse gas reduction targets. Tarkett’s Climate Roadmap for 2030 covers reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from its own activities (Scope 1) and its purchased energy (Scope 2)—as well as those...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program released 14 draft assessments for fisheries that “pose risks to the survival of the endangered North Atlantic right whale.” This includes proposing that the U.S. American lobster fishery, Jonah crab fishery, and other trap, pot, and gillnet fisheries be added to its “Red List” of seafood, or its classification of seafood that businesses and consumers should avoid because they are caught or farmed in ways that have a high risk of harming wildlife or the environment. Seafood Watch is accepting comments on the assessments until February 28. Currently, more than 25,000 restaurants, stores,...

ATLANTA, GA.—Acuity Brands, Inc., a market-leading industrial technology company, announced a new initiative planned to reduce paper use by more than 15 million sheets and save an estimated 1,500 trees per year through its introduction of scannable QR code instructions. The shift to lessen paper usage aligns the company’s sustainability goals with its digital transformation. “Our products last for years and sometimes decades, and over time, the paper installation instructions are discarded or misplaced. Giving our customers digital access to the documents they need helps minimize waste and makes our product information more accessible,” said Trevor Palmer, President, Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls. The introduction of digital...