LONDON—A new international study by Unilever reveals that one-third of consumers (33 percent) are now choosing to buy from brands they believe are doing social or environmental good. The study asked 20,000 adults from five countries how their sustainability concerns impact their choices in-store and at home. Crucially, it then mapped their claims against real purchase decisions, giving a more accurate picture than ever of what people are actually buying—and why. As well as confirming the public’s high expectations of brands when it comes to having a positive social and environmental impact, the study’s findings uncover an unprecedented opportunity for companies...

ALBANY, N.Y.—Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that three New York-owned ski resorts, Belleayre Ski Resort, Gore Mountain and Whiteface Mountain, have pledged to be powered by 100 percent renewal electricity by 2030, joining The Climate Reality Project’s I AM PRO SNOW 100% Committed campaign. The initiative corresponds with Governor Cuomo’s Clean Energy Standard, which requires that half of all electricity used in New York come from renewable sources by 2030. “Belleayre, Gore and Whiteface are key drivers of their local tourism economies, and with this commitment they are joining New York’s nation-leading efforts to fight climate change, reduce our carbon footprint and...

ASHEVILLE, N.C.—Festiva, a privately held hospitality company based in Asheville, N.C., announced that it will be doubling its donation to the Western North Carolina Nature Center, Asheville’s Wildlife Park, that was originally initiated in 2012. This means a commitment of a grand total of $100,000 to the center’s 2020 Vision, a long-term improvement and expansion project already underway at the Nature Center that will help transform the center into one of Asheville’s favorite treasures for locals and visitors alike. The donation is coordinated by Friends of the WNCNC, a nonprofit committed to supporting the WNC Nature Center’s mission of connecting...

GREENSBORO, N.C.—After 28 years of operating one of the top-rated hotel and restaurant companies in the South, the founders of Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels (QW) announced last fall that it is now 100 percent owned by its 600+ staff members. This makes QW one of only a few employee-owned restaurant and hotel companies in the entire country. Dennis and Nancy King Quaintance will continue to lead the company. Guests will not see changes at any of their six places: O.Henry Hotel, Green Valley Grill, Proximity Hotel, Print Works Bistro, and two Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen locations. According to Dennis Quaintance, “Co-founders...

TAOS SKI VALLEY, N.M.—Taos Ski Valley says it is the first ski resort in the world to become a Certified B Corporation® (B Corp) by thoroughly demonstrating its commitment to deliberate and thoughtful social, economic and environmental actions. Certified B Corps are required to meet the highest standards of verified economic, social and environmental performance, and public transparency. The B Corp certification further underscores Taos Ski Valley’s investment in the people who live in Northern New Mexico, its commitment to a sustainable economic future, its stewardship of the natural environment, and respect for the visitors who come to experience...

BONN, GERMANY—DHL Express, the world’s leading international express services provider, is piloting a new City Hub concept that will enable increased use of cargo bicycles for inner-city deliveries. The City Hub is a customized trailer which can carry up to four containers for the DHL Cubicycle, a customized cargo bicycle which can carry a container with a load of up to 125 kg (one cubic meter in volume). A DHL van delivers the trailer into the city center, where the containers can be quickly loaded on to two Cubicyles for last-mile inner-city delivery. It can then be reloaded for...

TACOMA, WASH.—The environmental benefits of North American wood products are presented in a new guide from APA – The Engineered Wood Association. Sustainable Buildings, Sustainable Future, Form F305, contains facts and figures related to the sustainability of the forest resource, forest certification, life cycle assessment, and Environmental Product Declarations. The guide also compares energy consumption in the manufacture of wood, steel and concrete products, and provides a comparison of the net carbon impact of the building materials. Sustainable Buildings, Sustainable Future also includes an in-depth look at how sustained demand for wood products fosters a cycle of growth in North...

PARADISE ISLAND, THE BAHAMAS—Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), chaired his first meeting of the Council of Tourism Ministers and Commissioners since being elected Chairman last September, resulting in positive discussions on best practices, funding cooperative regional activities and hosting the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Global Conference on Building Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism for Development next November. The Council of Ministers meeting took place during the recently completed Caribbean Travel Marketplace on Paradise Island, Bahamas. As the policy-making body of the CTO, the Council of Ministers worked as a team during the January meeting to...

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y.—Duralee Contract introduces the new FR Woven Drapery Collection. Designed with a goal of minimal environmental impact in mind, Duralee Contract partnered with a local manufacturer that is less than 100 miles from their warehouse to develop this “Made in the USA” product line. Where similar goods are commonly produced overseas, Duralee Contract is aware of their carbon footprint, and the sustainability of staying local. Sixteen diverse designs make up this 44 SKU book of large scale looks with a distinct artistic flair. These designs are complimented by open, poised and tranquil style that will evoke the feeling of...

NATIONAL REPORT—Earth Hour is scheduled for Saturday, March 25 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time. It is a lights-off event organized by WWF that now has the participation of individuals and groups in almost 180 countries. Earth Hour was started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia in 2007. Lights will be dimmed in homes, offices, hotels and landmarks as a reminder to work toward greater efficiency, a sustainable future and to slow and stop man’s impact on climate change. The Earth Hour website features a “How Your Hotel Can Join the Earth Hour Movement” guide. It includes...