CORK, IRELAND—Johnson Controls, a global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, announced it has been named to the inaugural FT Climate Leaders in Europe list. Europe’s Climate Leaders 2021 is a list of companies across Europe that have shown the highest reduction of their emission intensity, i.e., core greenhouse gas emissions in relation to revenues, between 2014 and 2019. Johnson Controls was one of only 300 companies selected from 4,000 across Europe. “We are extremely proud to be recognized by the Financial Times as a European climate leader,” said George Oliver, Chairman and CEO, Johnson Controls. “Sustainability has long been at the heart of...

CALHOUN, GA.—Mohawk Industries has been recognized as the most sustainable flooring supplier on Green Builder Media’s 2021 Brand Index. Receiving the top Brand Index score in the flooring category, green professionals ranked Mohawk as a leader in terms of products and initiatives and identified the brand as a sustainable thought leader. “At Mohawk, we’re ever-evolving to meet the latest sustainable needs of all our customers,” said Scott Gibson, Senior Director of Sales Operations, Mohawk Builder + Multifamily. “With innovative and environmentally friendly product solutions, we strive to be a single-source partner. This distinction further helps set us apart from the...

WILMINGTON, DEL.—In support of its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while delivering sustainable innovation, DuPont announced a new standard for two-component polyurethane foams with the launch of the HFC-free Froth-Pak Spray Foam. Froth-Pak Spray Foam, available this month, offers customers an innovative solution with a significant global warming potential (GWP) reduction, while helping advance DuPont’s 2030 Sustainability Goals. This product is compliant with currently enacted, as well as draft, U.S. State Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) and Canadian GWP regulations. It also delivers GHG reductions in support of the Paris Climate Agreement along a timeline that is more aggressive than the Kigali...

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA—Sandals Resorts International (SRI), parent company of luxury all-inclusive resort brands Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts, is making it easy for visitors to celebrate World Oceans Day today and all year long. Through its not-for-profit Sandals Foundation, guests of SRI resorts throughout the Caribbean can help hatch turtles, learn to rebuild dying reefs and curtail invasive marine species. “As guests return to enjoy our beautiful Caribbean, World Oceans Day is a reminder that its beauty and health is our responsibility,” says SRI Executive Chairman and The Sandals Foundation Founder and President, Adam Stewart. “Over the next ten years, we have promised to...

UCLUELET, B.C.—At Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, every day is Earth Day. The popular Ucluelet resort is once again raising the sustainability game with its Refillable and Zero Waste programs reducing its ecological footprint and taking a load off the landfill while reducing plastic waste. Spearheaded by Black Rock General Manager Adele Larkin, the initiative is aimed at sourcing 100 percent natural, biodegradable, refillable products for its cleaning needs and guest amenities in 2021. As one of the first resorts in Canada to adopt such a model, Black Rock turned to its own backyard for solutions. Thanks to a partnership with two forward-thinking...

NEW YORK—Highgate, a leading global real estate investment and hospitality management company, recently announced the appointment of Marianne Balfe to Vice President of Sustainability. In this new role, Balfe will be responsible for driving Highgate’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy across the company’s guest experience, construction projects, external reporting, and corporate culture—with the goal of ensuring Highgate remains a leader in sustainable business practices. The hire reflects Highgate’s continued commitment to driving resiliency and sustainability in global hospitality. Balfe’s strategic vision and capability to achieve and maintain strong ESG performance will not only deliver efficiencies, cost savings and other...

DALTON, GA.—Shaw Industries Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., has announced its support of The Nature Conservancy’s Plant a Billion Trees campaign. The campaign, which is being supported by multiple members of the Berkshire Hathaway Sustainability Leadership Council, is a major forest restoration effort with an incredible end goal of planting a billion trees. Shaw’s donation represents the company’s commitment to supporting organizations that are making bold efforts to increase the health and well-being of the planet and the people who call it home. “Trees contribute so many benefits to both people and nature, like providing clean air...

PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS—While many guests at Atlantis, Paradise Island are enjoying the 141 acres of high-speed water slides, mile-long river ride and 11 swimming pools, others are getting to know the more than 50,000 aquatic animals representing over 250 marine species. They reside in the 8 million gallons of ocean water encompassing 14 lagoons—the largest open-air marine habitat in the world. Those major exhibits are the responsibility of Michelle Liu, Senior Vice President of Marine and Water Park Operations. There is no way around it: the last year has been tough for Atlantis, Paradise Island, just like it has been...

Hersha Hotels and Resorts just released its 2020 Hersha Earthview Sustainability Report. Hersha’s proprietary sustainability platform, EarthView, was created in 2010 and exemplifies their belief that they can simultaneously deliver financial value while supporting the well-being of their guests, associates, communities, and the planet. For those of you not familiar with Hersha, they own and operate 48 hotels. Hersha has saved $20 million thanks to Earthview since its creation in 2010. Hersha has experienced a 1.7-year payback on its efficiency investments. In 2019, Hersha announced targets for reducing its environmental impact by 2030 (using a 2010 baseline) and has joined...

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA.—The phade brand of PHA-based straws manufactured by New WinCup Holdings, Inc. has received the Innovation in FoodService Award for Sustainability Solutions from the National Restaurant Association and SmartBrief. The phade straw is the first mass produced marine biodegradable and home and industrial compostable drinking straw made with PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate), a substrate derived from the fermentation of canola oil. While maintaining the feel and user experience of a traditional plastic straw, the phade straw was recognized for its extraordinary ability to quickly biodegrade in marine and backyard and industrial compost environments. The inaugural FoodService Innovation Awards recognize innovative...