MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton announced an initial investment of $1 million to drive sustainable travel and tourism in Africa. To do so, the company will focus on five key areas—Hilton’s Big Five: Youth Opportunity: investing in training and apprenticeship programs to build a strong talent pipeline and tackle identified challenges for youth, including underemployment; Water Stewardship: the expansion of existing partnerships and the creation of new alliances to help Hilton achieve its goal to reduce its water consumption by 50 percent and activate 20 context-based water projects in at-risk communities by 2030; Anti-Human Trafficking: the provision of training and auditing to...

DALTON, GA.—The Home Depot  honored Shaw Industries with its Environmental Partner of the Year Award at its annual supplier partnership meeting on October 2. “The spaces where we live, work, play, learn and heal have a huge impact on our lives,” said Susan Farris, Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Communications at Shaw Industries. “That’s why we’re committed to using safe ingredients and designing sustainable products. Our commitment to Cradle to Cradle design principles for the past 20 years is evidence of that.” Today, almost 90 percent of the products Shaw manufactures are Cradle to Cradle Certified, a robust third-party certification...

INCHEON, REPUBLIC OF KOREA—Limiting global warming to 1.5ºC would require rapid, far reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said in a new assessment. With clear benefits to people and natural ecosystems, limiting global warming to 1.5ºC compared to 2ºC could go hand in hand with ensuring a more sustainable and equitable society, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said on Monday. The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5ºC was approved by the IPCC on Saturday in Incheon, Republic of Korea. It will be a key scientific input into...

LAAMU, MALDIVES—Sustainable shrimp is a very elusive catch. That was a significant element of a message from Callum Roberts, Professor of Marine Conservation at the University of York, on his recent visit to Six Senses Laamu where he discussed sustainable fisheries management in Laamu Atoll. “They look innocuous and taste great, but shrimp and prawns are sadly some of the most environmentally-damaging seafoods you can eat,” says Professor Roberts. “Bottom trawling with fine mesh nets for wild prawns causes habitat destruction and enormous losses of non-target species, many of which are threatened. In a worst case, prawn farms can destroy...

SHANGHAI, CHINA—Architecturally, and from a sustainability standpoint, the 337-room InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, set to open this month, is one of the most unique hotels in the world. Built into the side of the abandoned Shenkeng Quarry in Songjiang, about 22 miles outside of Shanghai, the hotel will create its own power—including heat and lighting—through geothermal and solar energy. The roof is covered with greenery. Water runs throughout the structure. A waterfall, built into the center of the hotel, pours into the pool at the bottom of the quarry. The two bottommost floors are built completely underwater. Every room in the hotel—aside...

HOUSTON—Waste Management has been listed on the 2018 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for North America and the World. This distinction marks a recognition of the company’s corporate sustainability leadership within the industry. “It is quite an honor to be among one of the first companies to be recognized by Dow Jones as a sector leader on the DJSI World Indices,” said Jim Fish, President and CEO of Waste Management. “Since 1993, we have been reporting on company-wide, environmental innovations, and since have increasingly focused on all aspects of sustainability. We have come a long way since then, and our continued...

NATIONAL REPORT—For years, people have debated the question of whether paper derived from wood pulp can truly be environmentally friendly. To answer this question, you must consider the sustainability of the source of the wood or other materials used for fiber production, the amount of fiber, water, energy, and other resources used in production, the amount and fate of pollutants generated during the production process, and the potential recyclability or biodegradability of the product. In short, the entire product lifecycle. Such an assessment clearly lies beyond the ability of the average consumer. But fortunately, the latest version of the Environmental...

MADRID, SPAIN—A new World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) report aims to help manage growing urban tourism flows and their impact on cities and residents. “Overtourism? Understanding and Managing Urban Tourism Growth beyond perceptions,” was launched earlier this month during the 7th UNWTO Global Summit on Urban Tourism, in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The report examines how to manage tourism in urban destinations to the benefit of visitors and residents alike. It proposes eleven strategies and 68 measures to help understand and manage visitor growth. The report is the result of collaboration between UNWTO, the Centre of Expertise Leisure, Tourism & Hospitality...

LANCASTER, PA.—“Here Comes the Sun” played as High Hotels Ltd. co-workers unveiled a solar panel representing a new solar array that began powering the Courtyard by Marriott-Lancaster. The lights ceremoniously dimmed at the moment the electric power switched over to 100 percent renewable energy. About 75 staff, community members, elected officials, and onlookers watched as a new real-time meter located in the hotel lobby displayed the solar power produced by the project. The celebration marked the completion of a 135,200-square-foot solar installation constructed by the Lancaster-based, family-owned hotel developer, owner, and operator in partnership with Marriott International Inc. Due to its...

NATIONAL REPORT—You may have seen the Fairtrade organization mentioned in connection with coffee. Or maybe chocolate. Now the Fairtrade logo can be found on amenity products. According to Paul Weber, Vice President Sales for ADA International Canada, his company is the first and only manufacturer in the world to team up with Fairtrade to launch an amenities brand for the hotel/resort industry. In fact, “Fair” is carried over to the product line’s name: FAIR CosmEthics. Fairtrade is a movement for change that works directly with businesses, consumers and campaigners to make trade fair for farmers and workers. The international Fairtrade...