NORWAY—In collaboration with Arctic Adventures of Norway, Asplan Viak and Skanska, Snøhetta has designed “Svart,” the world’s first Powerhouse hotel, at the foot of the Svartisen glacier that runs through Meløy municipality in northern Norway. The hotel is situated just above the Arctic Circle and has a planned 2021 opening. “Svart” is the first building to be built after the energy positive Powerhouse standard in a Northern climate. Not only does this new hotel reduce its yearly energy consumption by approximately 85 percent compared to a modern hotel, but it also produces its own energy—an absolute “must” in this precious arctic...

STOCKHOLM—Vanessa Butani has been appointed new Director of Sustainable Business at Scandic Hotels. Vanessa has broad experience from working with sustainability, corporate strategy and business development, most recently at Electrolux and before that with Plan International and Accenture. She will start her new position at Scandic Hotels in March. Scandic is known for its sustainability initiatives and has had a great influence on the hotel industry when it comes to reducing environmental impact. “I’m excited to be able to take Scandic to the next level of leadership within both environmental and social sustainability,” Butani says. Scandic has worked with a clear...

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Leading global innovation company with textile, specialty chemical and floor covering manufacturing expertise, Milliken & Company, has been named a 2017 “Gold Supplier” by office and home furnishings giant Herman Miller, Inc. This annual award honors key suppliers for excellence in service to the company, community and environment. To qualify, suppliers must meet rigorous performance standards in the areas of product quality, on-time delivery, cost savings, diversity, sustainability, business compliance and company culture. With its long-standing corporate commitment to responsible manufacturing, eliminating waste and delivering innovations that do good, Milliken scored high marks across all categories. “Milliken is fortunate to work...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) announced that Travelife for Tour Operators has achieved “GSTC-Accredited” status. The awarded status affirms Travelife for Tour Operators’ commitment to promoting sustainable tourism products and services. Travelife for Tour operators is a leading global sustainability scheme specifically designed for tour operators with more than 500 members from 80 countries across all continents. Travelife for Tour operators provides an integrated set of trainings, best practices, implementation instruments and suppliers assessment tools, leading to certification. Achieving the GSTC-Accredited status means that a certification program is following processes and procedures that have been reviewed and approved by...

NEW YORK— The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and National Geographic Traveler will recognize travel industry leaders in sustainability during the HSMAI Adrian Awards Dinner Reception and Gala on February 20 at the New York Marriott Marquis. The Leader in Sustainable Tourism Award recognizes a person, company, or community for demonstrable leadership and innovation in preserving and communicating an authentic sense of place through a wisely managed tourism campaign. Nominees were judged by how their efforts preserve the environmental, cultural, and historic integrity of a destination, and how the program demonstrated leadership, innovation and accomplished its goals. Entries...

BLOOMINGTON, IND.—As more organizations begin looking into sustainability, one of the first things they realize is that an effective sustainability program requires developing a company-wide “culture of sustainability.” But in order to create this culture of shared goals, values, and beliefs, “companies must fully understand what sustainability is all about,” says Stephen Ashkin, the professional cleaning industry’s leading advocate for sustainability. “This is crucial, especially when beginning a sustainability journey.” To explain, Ashkin says company executives need to know the following nine facts about sustainability before creating a culture of sustainability: 1. Sustainability involves three key components: social, environmental, and economic. These...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Restaurant Association released the 2018 edition of The State of Restaurant Sustainability to highlight sustainability efforts by restaurant operators. The report provides the latest trends in environmental practices in the restaurant industry, along with consumer insights. It aims to help restaurant operations of all types and sizes understand what other restaurateurs are doing to begin or continue their own sustainability journey. The Association surveyed more than 500 restaurant owners and operators about their sustainability efforts, opportunities and challenges. More than 1,000 consumers also were surveyed about the best ways restaurants can communicate their sustainability initiatives to their...

LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), owned by the City of Los Angeles and managed by AEG Facilities, recently received California’s highest environmental honor, the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA), for its waste reduction efforts in a ceremony at the California Environmental Protection Agency. The LACC sustainability initiatives recognized include the installation of a “cool roof” and light defusing windows to reflect sunlight and direct heat away from the building, new water-efficient kitchen dishwashers and the replacement of 30,000 square feet of turf with drought-tolerant landscaping. As a result, the LACC is now 36 percent more energy...

OLYMPIC VALLEY, CALIF.—To help achieve Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows’ goal to be powered by 100 percent clean, renewable energy sources, Liberty Utilities, the electric service provider in the Lake Tahoe region of California, is actively collaborating with resort leadership to identify and develop new renewable energy generation, storage and energy efficiency projects to benefit the Olympic Valley and surrounding areas. Subject to regulatory approval, the two companies intend to achieve the resort’s 100 percent renewable goal as early as December 2018. “Liberty Utilities is committed to furthering the renewable energy goals of the State of California and has already made...

BANGKOK—Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas announced that Jeffery Smith has been promoted to Vice President, Sustainability from his former role of Director of Sustainability. He takes over the position from Amber Marie Beard who will consult on special projects. Since joining Six Senses in 2016, Smith has been an integral part in supporting the group’s leadership position in sustainable hospitality. He spearheaded the redevelopment of the group’s Earth Lab concept with sustainability leaders from across all Six Senses properties and lead the first Six Senses Sustainability Conference. He continuously coordinates closely with both Technical Services and Operations to ensure that...