CHALFONT, PA.—DEKRA Certification, Inc. announced that it has certified Hilton Worldwide, Inc.’s energy management system to the ISO 50001 standard. This newest ISO 50001 certification complements Hilton Worldwide’s other global system-wide ISO certifications—ISO 9001 Quality Management and 14001 Environmental Management—which DEKRA Certification issued in 2011 and recertified in 2014. With these three ISO certifications, Hilton Worldwide is one of the first multi-national organizations to certify its entire system globally—more than 4,200 properties in 93 countries—achieving one of the largest ever volume certifications of commercial buildings.  Hilton Worldwide achieved the ISO 50001 certification following a comprehensive upgrade to its LightStay...

CHICAGO—Marriott International has honored Cintas Corporation with its 2014 Supplier Sustainability Award. The annual award recognizes the Marriott supplier that has made a significant impact on its guests and properties through innovative ideas that help Marriott meet its environmental goals.“We’ve established aggressive sustainability goals, so we need suppliers that can partner with us to achieve those targets,” said Denise Naguib, Vice President of Sustainability and Supplier Diversity, Marriott International. “From helping us reduce water and energy consumption to diverting landfill waste with innovative apparel programs, Cintas has been a true partner in assisting us with reducing our environmental footprint.”Marriott...

NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS—The marine environment at Baha Mar continues to flourish, with the introduction of more than 300 coral antlers to the $3.5 billion resort’s eco-reef experience.The eco-friendly coral antlers were installed in July, adding to the artificial eco-reef experience at Baha Mar. Before the antlers were installed, volunteers from Baha Mar assembled each 55 pound antler by hand.The installation of 48 reef balls and 320 coral antlers began in April 2014 by Baha Mar’s environmental team. The reef balls and coral antlers were designed to complement each other by creating optimal conditions for coral and marine life just...

DENVER—Xanterra Parks & Resorts has received a Lodging Sustainability Award. The award was announced at the Lodging Magazine Green + Sustainability Conference + Expo in Las Vegas. A global hospitality company known for its environmental innovations in national and state parks, resorts and other destinations, Xanterra has been long recognized as a visionary in environmental innovation and for its commitment to a softer footprint in those natural places.Sponsored by Lodging magazine, the Lodging Sustainability Awards “recognize the contribution of individuals, groups and corporate entities who exemplify the meaning of sustainability in the hotel industry,” Lodging magazine says. “The winners...

LONDON—InterContinental Hotels Group announced that its flagship IHG Green Engage program will be rolled out across the company’s global estate of over 4,700 hotels as of January 1, 2015. IHG Green Engage is an online environmental sustainability tool, which gives hotels the ability to track how much energy, carbon and water they are using, as well as assessing how waste is managed. This allows them to see how much they are spending and saving and to feed data directly to IHG’s corporate clients as part of the Request for Proposal (RFP) process.The IHG Green Engage system comprises more than...

NEW YORK—There are just two weeks until the many green activities begin at this year’s Hospitality Leadership Forum, International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show (IHMRS) and Boutique Design New York (BDNY). Events will be held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center November 8 to 11 in New York City. Recently, three NEWH Green Voice Conversations were added to the extensive schedule of sustainability-focused sessions. The Green Voice Conversations will take place as part of BDNY.The first Green Voice Conversation will take place Sunday, November 9 from 10:30 to 11 a.m. The topic will be, “Where Does Your Wood...

MIAMI—On Tuesday, October 14, the Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association (GMBHA) honored hotels and allied businesses that are leading the adoption of sustainable hospitality practices at its 2nd Annual Sustainable Hospitality Awards. Award winners were selected from nominated local hotels and businesses that are advancing sustainability practices through implementation, promotion and education of guests and employees.The GMBHA’s Sustainable Hospitality Council celebrated 21 outstanding hotel properties and businesses that are advancing the principles and practices of sustainable hospitality, resource conservation and preservation of South Florida’s unique environment.Keynote speaker, Diana C. Beltran Gonzalez, Learning & Delivery Manager, Global Learning...

SAN FRANCISCO—TerraPass, a leading carbon offset provider, has launched a new online carbon calculator. By developing a deeper understanding for carbon methodology and creating more options for calculation, now both individuals and businesses of all types and sizes can obtain a carbon footprint reading with a few simple inputs of information.“TerraPass is committed to boosting awareness around sustainability by educating people,” says Christopher Duzich, Vice President of TerraPass. “To do that, we provide easy-to-use tools that help individuals and businesses build a better future for all of us. This new calculator empowers you with both the knowledge and opportunity...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton Worldwide released its 2013-2014 corporate responsibility report. The report is Hilton Worldwide’s third corporate responsibility report, and its first since returning to public markets following a record-breaking initial public offering (IPO) in December 2013. The report highlights efforts, achievements and priorities across the four focus areas of HiltonWorldwide’s corporate responsibility strategy, Travel with Purpose: creating opportunities, strengthening communities, celebrating cultures and living sustainably.“2013 was a year of tremendous progress for Hilton Worldwide,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, President and CEO, HiltonWorldwide. “As we build on this momentum, we are mindful of the need to achieve this growth in...

KUNFUNADHOO ISLAND, MALDIVES—It has been announced that the 2014 Slow Life Symposium at Soneva Fushi will focus on the concept of Planetary Boundaries (as pioneered by the Stockholm Resilience Centre), exploring how we can accelerate and scale initiatives like “Natural Capital” and “Social Capital” to shape the ground rules for tomorrow’s capitalism.Now in its fifth year, the conference brings together a group of 30 eminent representatives from the global world of business, science, travel and education for a four day symposium (November 13 to 16) and promises to, once again, provide an inspiring environment for collaboration with some of...