In Japan, Toshiba is using its advancements in hydrogen energy in an innovative “Hydrogen Hotel” project, to help Kawasaki City overcome the city’s pollution problem. Opened on June 1, 2018, the hydrogen hotel in Kawasaki City is an innovative project, where the hotel creates hydrogen from waste plastics to supply about 30 percent of the energy the hotel needs. In the first year after its opening, the hotel ran a test in which it recycled even the amenities used in the hotel rooms (toothbrushes, hair combs) as feedstocks for hydrogen production. Headquartered in Kawasaki City, and having researched fuel cell...

CINCINNATI—The Procter & Gamble Co. announced a new commitment to have its global operations be carbon neutral for the decade through a series of interventions that protect, improve and restore nature. Recognizing the next decade represents a critical window for the world to accelerate progress on climate change, P&G will go beyond its existing Science Based Target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by additionally advancing a portfolio of natural climate solutions. These efforts will deliver a carbon benefit that balances any remaining emissions over the next 10 years, allowing P&G operations to be carbon neutral for...

SINGAPORE—The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that the Greenview Portal for the Hospitality Industry has become a “GSTC-Recognized System”. It is the first time that a sustainability management system has achieved this status. Randy Durband, CEO of GSTC said: “This is a significant moment for GSTC as we expand our recognition program to apply to not only standards but also management systems. Last year we welcomed Hilton LightStay becoming GSTC-Recognized for its own portfolio, and this helped pave the way for expanded use of GSTC. By using GSTC-Recognized systems, hotel and tourism companies will now be...

HARRISBURG, PA.—Hersha Hotels and Resorts (Hersha Hospitality Trust) has released its 2019 Hersha EarthView Sustainability Report. The 35-page report summarizes Hersha’s 2019 impact and the strides it has made in its environmental, social, and governance efforts towards a more sustainable, connected, and inclusive world. For those of you not familiar with Hersha, a Real Estate Investment Trust, the company owns and operates 48 upscale, luxury and lifestyle hotels in urban gateway markets and coastal destinations. Hersha’s EarthView program has existed since 2010. According to Hersha, $100 million in portfolio value has been attributed to EarthView as of 2019. EarthView has...

LAAMU, MALDIVES—After 10 weeks of exploring the oceans around Six Senses Laamu, the first series of the online Junior Marine Biology program has made a satisfying splash. What’s more, it is not too late to dive in, as all classes were recorded, which means they can be taken any time, and in any order. The online Junior Marine Biology program is a series of free web-based classes, made up of short informative videos, activities to do at home and one-on-one feedback by the team of 10 marine biologists at the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI). Each class explored a different topic, from...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Clean the World Foundation, a global leader in water, sanitation, hygiene and sustainability, has partnered with Las Vegas Sands to facilitate The Drop by Drop Project. A collaboration between Clean the World Foundation and initiative co-founder Sands, The Drop by Drop Project will reinvest capital from water stewardship efforts into innovative projects supporting local water champions in Macao, Singapore, and Las Vegas. Managed and operated by Clean the World Foundation, The Drop by Drop Project will be supported by water savings from Sands’ conservation programs. Drop by Drop supports water programs and nonprofit organizations focusing on four key areas:...

DENVER—Echo3, the electric automobile company, is bringing electric vehicles to the masses much in the way Henry Ford’s Model T did from 1908 to 1927. The First Model T became available in October 1908. The Model T is the third most selling automobile of all time selling 16.5 million automobiles primarily for two reasons, affordability and new technology. The Model T touring sedan cost $825 in 1908 or about $22,991.85. The $825 price tag made the Model T within reach of middle-class Americans. The turn of the century saw the country fascinated with new technology and the Model T...

SOUTH AFRICA—Luxury Frontiers, the San Francisco/Johannesburg-based international firm specializing in the design and development of high-end, light-on-earth building concepts, has recently completed Mdluli Safari Lodge. The luxury 50-tent safari camp, located within the southern borders of Kruger National Park in northeastern South Africa, grew from a 50-50 partnership between Mdluli Safari Lodge and the local Mdluli Community and took years of dedication as such developments depend upon establishing harmony between tourism, the environment, and community. As with every project it undertakes, Luxury Frontiers focused on limiting the ecological impact of Mdluli Safari Lodge through careful consideration and collaboration with the...

NORTHFIELD, VT.—In response to the escalating food insecurity being experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Burr family, who owns and operates The Woods Lodge, has partnered with CERV, the organization that runs the Northfield food shelf, with the help of generous donations from members of the local community and Northfield Savings Bank, to provide prepared meals as an additional food resource to local families and seniors in need. What started out as an idea to provide a one-time donation to the local food shelf, has turned into a weekly occurrence, for the last three months, and counting. Every...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International announced the release of the 2019 Social Impact and Sustainability Report Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity. Protecting the Planet. The report builds on the company’s commitment to create a more sustainable future, while striving to make a more positive impact in the lives of its employees, guests and in the communities where the company operates. In November 2019, MGM Resorts launched its new social impact and sustainability vision called “Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet.” A core component of that vision included a set of long-range goals through 2025 and an alignment...