OBERLIN, OHIO—Oberlin College and The Oberlin Project announce After Fossil Fuels: The Next Economy, a conference to be held October 6 to 8, 2016  in Oberlin, Ohio. Bringing together some of the most innovative and influential thinkers in the world with key elected officials who have a solid and active track record on climate change issues, After Fossil Fuels: The Next Economy will focus on the economic and political realities in the era of climate change—just one month before the most contentious presidential election in memory. “The most critical issue we face is climate change,” says David W. Orr, the...

CYPRESS, CALIF.—Earth Friendly Products, the maker of ECOS environmentally friendly cleaning products and a leader in sustainable business practices, announces that after six years of actively reducing its water usage, the company is now “water neutral.” Water neutrality is a measure of zero net water usage achieved through reducing water use and funding programs that restore water to critically depleted ecosystems. Water neutrality is part of Earth Friendly Products’ long-term commitment to minimize its environmental impacts. In addition to water neutrality, Earth Friendly Products achieved carbon neutrality in 2013 and Zero Waste Platinum certification at all its facilities in...

OTTAWA, ON.—The Green Key Eco-Rating Program, a leading lodging industry certification program, has been renovated, and version 3.0 (V3) is now available. The move to V3 is part of Green Key Global’s continuing goal of remaining a leading environmental certification body and to align itself with GSTC Recognition status.What is GSTC? The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) establishes and manages global sustainable standards with the aim of increasing sustainable tourism knowledge and practices among public and private stakeholders. The GSTC is independent and neutral, serving the important role of managing its global baseline standards for sustainability in travel and...

PLAYA GUIONES, COSTA RICA—In a country so well known for its ecotourism and renewable energy leadership positions, it should come as no surprise that one of its hotels has earned the rare LEED Platinum certification. That is what happened this summer at the Olas Verdes Hotel in Playa Guiones, Costa Rica. Luis Pardo, General Manager of the boutique hotel with five casitas, said the property is the first surf hotel in the world and the first hotel in Costa Rica to reach the LEED Platinum level. The Olas Verdes Hotel opened last December, Pardo says. “The owners wanted to have...

DALLAS—Freeman, a leading global provider of brand experiences, announced it has received the prestigious ISO 20121 Event Sustainability Management System certification, the first in its industry to do so on a global scale. The certification is an international standard designed to help organizations involved in the events and hospitality industries integrate sustainability into management practices and processes.“Environmental and social responsibility has always been at the heart of Freeman and guides our business,” said Jeff Chase, Vice President of Sustainability for Freeman, who oversees the company’s sustainability initiatives and led the certification effort.“This certification—an industry first—reflects the philosophy of our...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc., a global leader in water, hygiene and energy technology and services, has been named to the 2016 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) North America index, a comprehensive and highly regarded assessment of leading sustainability-driven companies. This is the second consecutive year Ecolab has been named to the North America index, and the company’s third listing since 2012.“Our inclusion in the 2016 DJSI North America index reflects the commitment of our associates to responsible and sustainable business practices,” said Ecolab Chairman and CEO Douglas M. Baker, Jr. “We are honored to be recognized for this commitment,...

BRAZIL—Brazil made history last week when the State Secretary of Environment for Amazonas (SEMA), on behalf of the State Government of Amazonas, and the Amazonas Sustainable Foundation (FAS), delivered its first-ever certificate of carbon emissions reduction to the U.S.-headquartered hospitality company Marriott International. The presentation took place during the Climate Summit of the Americas in Guadalajara, Mexico. This is the first time in Brazil that a certificate has been issued by a partnership between state government, a private institution and a non-governmental organization. The document is not transferable. The certificate states the reduction of 400,000 tons of carbon dioxide (tCO2)...

LONDON—ITP (International Tourism Partnership) announced a major step forward in the hotel industry’s stewardship of water, with the launch of the Hotel Water Measurement Initiative (HWMI). Eighteen global hotel groups including Accor, Carlson Rezidor, Diamond Resorts, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, Hilton Worldwide, the Hongkong & Shanghai Hotels, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels Group, Las Vegas Sands Corp., Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Marriott International, MGM Hotels & Resorts, NH Hotel Group, Soneva, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces, Whitbread, and Wyndham Worldwide Resorts have worked together to create the industry’s first jointly developed and consistent water...

It’s no secret that the hospitality industry is competitive. Online ratings and reviews continue to be a crucial resource for consumers and the rise of the sharing economy has added a whole new element to the game. Hotel owners, executives and managers know how important it is to gain and keep a competitive advantage. They often ask themselves, “How do I bring new guests through the lobby doors while keeping past guests coming back time and time again?” The answer to that question just might be something unexpected: sustainability. According to a recent survey conducted by Asia Pulp and Paper...

OAK BROOK, ILL.—The latest member of Chicago’s local food movement is B., a hyperlocal farm-to-table restaurant located at the newly renovated Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center just 30 minutes west of downtown. Centered around three core pillars; local, fresh and seasonal, B.’s “casually dramatic” identity is distinctive in every aspect of the original concept, from its modern design meets Audubon setting to its globally artistic menu designed by Executive Chef Sean Patrick Curry. Among the highlights, the 167-seat full-service restaurant, which is now officially open to the public, features a patisserie helmed by an award-winning pastry...