Tesla has built a huge following because of its sleek electric vehicles (EVs) but the company offers much more than EVs. It has also developed its own unique solar panels, solar tiles made from tempered glass, Powerwalls for home energy storage, and Powerpacks for larger-scale energy storage for buildings such as hotels. I bring up Tesla because a California company, S2A Modular, is combining its modular building techniques with Tesla energy storage technology to make net zero hotels not only possible but affordable as well. What S2A Modular is doing has the potential to dramatically change our industry. I spoke with...

As posted on Green Lodging News earlier this week, Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., the nation’s largest lodging real estate investment trust, released a Corporate Responsibility (CR) Highlights report for the very first time. The 2018 report provides a summary of results and progress over the last reporting year along with future commitments. I read through the report and this is what I found most compelling: Host achieved 2020 environmental targets three years ahead of schedule, including a greenhouse gas target verified by the Science Based Targets initiative. Host says it is the first hospitality company to have its...

MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA—Cannúa, a first-of-its-kind, 18-room boutique hotel set within a protected forest in Antioquia, Colombia, is scheduled to open in April 2019. Rooted in permaculture design principles and taking a holistic approach to sustainability, this 27-acre mountain-side property intends to forge a new era of experiential travel within the region. Guests of Cannúa will be among the first to explore this renewed, flourishing destination—one of the most biologically diverse and temperate in the world—through exquisite accommodation, natural encounters, and excursions designed to build a sense of community among neighbors, partners and visitors. “As Colombia continues to evolve as a destination of natural and cultural wonders, we’re proud to be...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc. has signed an agreement to support Clearway Energy Group’s 419-megawatt (MW) wind farm, Mesquite Star, in Fisher County, Texas. Construction of the Mesquite Star wind farm is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2019. Through a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA)—Ecolab’s first—the company will support construction of 100 MW of new renewable electricity capacity within the Mesquite Star wind farm. The renewable electricity generated under Ecolab’s 100 MW VPPA is expected to cover 100 percent of the company’s annual domestic energy use and builds upon the 5 MW of community solar subscriptions in Minnesota...

BETHESDA, MD.—Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., the nation’s largest lodging real estate investment trust, announced that it has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America for the second consecutive year, joining the top 20 percent of the largest and most sustainable North American companies of the S&P Global Broad Market Index across 58 industries. The company also achieved Sector Leader for Hotels, Green Star status and a 5 Star Rating from the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB); and received the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts’ (NAREIT) Lodging/Resorts Leader in Light award. Additionally,...

HOUSTON—Waste Management released its 2018 Sustainability Report. Titled “Change for the Better,” the report highlights progress toward reducing Waste Management’s (WM) greenhouse gas footprint, recycling viability, technology utilization and helping employees, customers and communities to be safe, resilient and sustainable. “The world is changing more rapidly than ever,” said Jim Fish, President and CEO of Waste Management. “To sustain and succeed in the face of this change requires agility, adaptability and, above all, a resilient spirit. We see these qualities tested and proven countless times each day by our employees who manage the environmental needs of our customers. This year’s...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc., a global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services that protect people and vital resources, has signed an agreement to support Clearway Energy Group’s 419-megawatt (MW) wind farm, Mesquite Star, in Fisher County, Texas. Construction of the Mesquite Star wind farm is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2019. Through a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA)—Ecolab’s first—the company will support construction of 100 MW of new renewable electricity capacity within the Mesquite Star wind farm. The renewable electricity generated under Ecolab’s 100 MW VPPA is expected to cover 100 percent of the...

PARIS—Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts, a leading brand within the AccorHotels Group, announces the release of its 2018 Sustainability Report Update, “Made with Sustainability in Mind”. This report covers the brand’s strategies and actions to continuously improve its sustainability performance throughout the years of 2015, 2016, and 2017. Previous Sustainability Reports were issued in 2012 and 2015. The 2018 Sustainability Update provides insight as to how Swissôtel tackles areas which are most important to its internal and external stakeholders based on materiality assessments conducted by the brand’s sustainability management team and third-party experts. The report includes updated performance data, recent case...

CHICAGO—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has launched LEED Zero, a new program that will address net zero operations and resources in buildings. “Net zero is a powerful target that will move the entire industry forward,” said Melissa Baker, Senior Vice President of Technical Core at USGBC. “For years, LEED projects around the world have aspired to net zero milestones. We are recognizing the leadership of these projects—and formalizing our commitment to focusing on carbon and net zero across the entire LEED community. These new certification programs will encourage a holistic approach for buildings and places to contribute to a regenerative...

BURBANK, CALIF.—The Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) continued its more than 20-year commitment to conservation last month by awarding more than $5 million in grants to support 76 organizations working to protect the magic of nature around the world. The fund also recognized 13 people across the globe with the Disney Conservation Hero award, for their tireless efforts to save wildlife, protect habitats and inspire communities to take part in conservation efforts. “The Walt Disney Company has a rich history of respecting, protecting and preserving our natural resources and wildlife; as such, we are proud to award these latest grants to people and...