NEW YORK—Green Roofs for Healthy Cities announced that the New York City Council has passed a suite of measures to reduce greenhouse gases released from buildings in New York City, including a requirement for green roofs and/or solar panels on newly constructed buildings. The Climate Mobilization Act passed NYC Council last week. “For the past two years Green Roofs for Healthy Cities has been advocating for new measures to grow the green roof market in New York City, and we are very pleased with the passage of this new legislation,” said Steven W. Peck, GRP, Honorary ASLA, Founder and President,...

Started in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, 1% for the Planet is a global organization that connects dollars and doers to accelerate smart environmental giving. Through business and individual memberships, 1% for the Planet inspires people to support environmental organizations through annual membership and everyday actions. They advise on giving strategies, certify donations, and amplify the impact of the network. 1% members have given more than $175 million to environmental nonprofits to date. 1% for the Planet is a network of more than 1,200 member businesses, a new and expanding core with hundreds of individual members, and...

SINGAPORE—Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts is celebrating its 25th Anniversary and Earth Day 2019 with an over 25 percent groupwide reduction of single-use plastic in a year. The Group announced a pledge against single-use plastic in support of the Earth Day 2018 theme End Plastic Pollution. Within a year, this declaration has inspired the change across its 48 hotels worldwide and successfully eliminated 4.2 million single-use plastic items, equating to a significant 26 percent reduction in total usage.Championing 25 years of sustainable development since its inception in 1994, Banyan Tree Hotels &...

SAN DIEGO—Duchateau, an innovator in the design and manufacture of luxury architectural finishes from hardwood flooring to 3D wooden wall panels, announces the launch of DUGOOD, the brand’s new corporate sustainability program. Duchateau has partnered with the nonprofit organization, National Forest Foundation (NFF), and DUGOOD will directly contribute to NFF’s ambitious campaign to plant 5 million trees by 2023. The DUGOOD initiative will commit that one tree will be planted for every Duchateau hardwood floor sold, with a portion of the trees being planted in areas directly impacted by California Wildfires.

LOS CABOS, MEXICO—Solmar Hotels & Resorts, a collection of seven all-suite properties in Los Cabos, has embraced the destination’s emphasis on environmental stewardship by implementing sustainable regulations and developing eco-friendly projects. At Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas, a new resort fronting 1.2-miles of beachfront on the Pacific Ocean 15 minutes north of Cabo San Lucas, 106 acres of the development’s total of 834 acres, has been preserved in its natural state. An additional 186 acres is dedicated to the golf course. Together totaling 292 acres, this parcel represents 35 percent of the development and has resulted in the creation of a low-density resort community. Utilities were...

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF.—Native Trails, a premier artisan-crafted kitchen and bathroom brand that makes a grand visual impression with a small ecological footprint, announced its commitment to using business as a force for the greater good, with the announcement of its recent B Corporation Certification. Held to the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability, B Corp brands are accelerating a global cultural shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy. Working toward reducing inequality, lowering levels of poverty, creating a healthier environment, building stronger communities, and creating more high-quality...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.—Florida-based Legacy Vacation Resorts (LVR) has officially achieved Certified B Corporation Status, becoming the first multi-state hotel and vacation ownership company in the country to secure the prestigious designation. Administered by the nonprofit, B Lab, Certified B Corporations are businesses that voluntarily meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose through third-party review. The certification for LVR comes on the heels of a year-long process to align every aspect of the company with B Lab’s requirements. In that time, LVR has introduced...

Shelley Lotz The trend in spa vacations, wellness classes, and eco therapy is growing and continues to weave its way into business as usual. With our dependence on resources and mother nature, sustainability is front and center in the hospitality industry. Most guests expect certain standards and that includes a more restorative mindset in our business models. Are you up to speed with your initiatives? Here are some best practices to consider in your CSR plans for spas, wellness programs, and beyond.Evolving Your Brand Include your sustainability mission and vision in your culture, messaging and marketing. Make it visible and share...

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN—The results of this year’s Sustainable Brand Index have been announced and Scandic has continued to climb closer to the top in all countries in the Nordic region. In Sweden, it was the number one hotel brand for the ninth year in a row, ranking 18 out of 355 brands. Scandic’s performance is based on consumers’ assessments of how the company is working to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals as well as its sustainability initiatives in 2018. “We launched many positive initiatives last year that are now widespread, and...

HOLLYWOOD, FLA.—As part as of its ongoing commitment to help “save the planet,” Hard Rock International participated in the worldwide Earth Hour movement—turning off the lights at 18 properties across the globe. As the world clock struck 8:30 p.m. local time on March 30, Hard Rock Hotel guests from China to the West Coast of the United States participated in this symbolic lights-out event. From the participating properties, Hard Rock saved a combined total of 11,400 kilowatts, which would be enough to power more than 50 outdoor concerts. “We are proud to...