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...

LONDON—The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and faculty and scientists of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health released two vital case studies on Sustainability Leadership by The Travel Corporation (TTC) and Intrepid Travel. WTTC and Harvard researchers aim to support and highlight Travel & Tourism companies leading the way, as they work to build the business case for sustainability in the sector. This collaboration has encouraged the sharing of best practices and has supported sustainability as a core strategic priority to ensure the viability of the sector and the co-creation of thriving sustainable societies. WTTC and Harvard T.H. Chan...

SOLON, OHIO—Tarkett, a worldwide leader in innovative and sustainable flooring and sports surface solutions, has released its 2020 Corporate Social & Environmental Responsibility (CSR) report. Fully audited by an independent third-party organization, KPMG, this report showcases the company’s ongoing sustainability performance. “In the last ten years, we have achieved strong progress in sustainability. In many cases we have exceeded our 2020 objectives, developing circular economy initiatives, reducing our carbon footprint and eco-designing our products with healthy materials,” says CEO Fabrice Barthélemy. “Opening a second chapter in its sustainability strategy, Tarkett is leading the way in its industry. As part of our ‘Change...

Transitioning America’s buildings away from burning fossil fuels for heating and water heating, toward equipment powered by increasingly clean electricity is key to meeting the nation’s climate goals, including President Biden’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Innovative energy code language, developed by the New Buildings Institute in partnership with NRDC and released recently, will provide a template to help get cities and states on track to reduce energy use as well as carbon emissions in new buildings. Buildings are responsible for around 40 percent of all carbon emissions in the United States, so addressing their efficiency and emissions...

CHEVY CHASE, MD.—One of the fastest growing hotel management companies in the United States—PM Hotel Group—also happens to be one of the ones most committed to corporate responsibility. The Chevy Chase, Md.-based company has its own Director of Sustainability + Facilities (Christie Berlin), manages four LEED hotels, including one LEED Platinum (Home2 Suites by Hilton Silver Spring, Md.) and purchases 100 percent green energy. “We started 10 years ago with 11 hotels,” Berlin says. “We now manage 51 and are working on three development projects at the moment.” “This company has always been committed to corporate responsibility,” Berlin adds. “It definitely...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—As the world emerges from the pandemic, there is an increasing amount of buzz about sustainability, particularly the climate crisis. Governments around the world are setting ambitious decarbonization targets in advance of the COP26 event in the United Kingdome in December. Investors are putting increasing pressure on companies to measure and disclose their sustainability impacts, and consumers are showing more propensity towards sustainable products. What does this mean for the hospitality industry? While many companies have robust and well-established sustainability programs, and the carbon intensity of the global hotel sector has decreased by 10 percent since 2015, the pandemic has added pressure in areas such as...

PARIS—Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its award-winning Fairmont Sustainability Partnership, now part of Accor’s Planet21 program. In continuing to set the industry standard in sustainable practices, Fairmont along with Accor has announced the goal to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. A commitment has also been made to eliminate any remaining single-use plastics in guestrooms, meeting areas, and restaurants across all hotels by the end of 2022. “Thirty years ago, our forward-thinking team literally wrote the book on environmental sustainability in the hospitality industry with the very first edition of our famed Green Partnership Guides,”...