In today’s marketplace, there is a plethora of product certifications, labels and declarations that manufacturers and builders use to communicate a product’s value to clients. However, owners, product specifiers and building occupants all have different interests and motivations. Just as each person’s background and experience varies, so do their beliefs when it comes to sustainability. The good news? Studies show we are all becoming more aware of and concerned with issues surrounding social and environmental health and sustainability. Making use of product labels, including declarations and certifications, is one way to make more informed choices; however, deciphering the claims...

LAS VEGAS—In celebration of Earth Day, Las Vegas Sands announced that more than 26,000 individual green actions were completed by its team members during the company’s annual “I Will If You Will” (IWIYW) global challenge. Initiated by Sands ECO360, Las Vegas Sands’ global sustainability program during the week leading up to Earth Hour on March 19, the challenge encouraged the company’s team members to take action to reduce their impact on climate change.“I am extremely proud of the participation we had from our team members this year,” said Katarina Tesarova, Vice President of Global Sustainability for Las Vegas Sands....

BANGKOK—Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas announced that Jeffery Smith has joined the group in the role of Director of Sustainability. In his new role, Smith will ensure that Six Senses remains at the leading edge of sustainable tourism practices. These include environmental performance of each property, support for the preservation of natural and cultural heritage, and enhancing social and economic benefits to local communities in destinations where Six Senses operates. Smith joins Six Senses with 11 years of broad experience of delivering green programs, with internal and external engagement. His most recent role was in the delivery of solar energy...

ILE-DE-FRANCE—AccorHotels recently released the results of Planet 21, its sustainable development program, and renewed its commitments looking to 2020. Sébastien Bazin, the Group’s Chairman & CEO, stated, “The commitment and energy demonstrated by our teams in deploying Planet 21 worldwide, are both valuable levers for our sustainable performance. After five years, the results of the first phase of the plan are very encouraging. Today, we want to scale up our ambitions by banking on innovation and accountability. Planet 21 Season 2 must enable us to create wealth sustainably and curb our negative impacts through the mobilization of our employees,...

NEW YORK—Humanscale, a company long dedicated to incorporating sustainable practices in their manufacturing processes, will be committing to the International Living Future Institute’s Living Product Challenge with their Float sit/stand desk and Diffrient Smart task chair in 2016. The only contract furniture brand to participate in the challenge, this represents a significant undertaking on behalf of the manufacturer and signals a message to the industry that a net positive impact is not only an important and achievable aim for the brand, but something the industry as a whole should be working towards. While taking on only a part of...

OBERLIN, OHIO—One of the world’s most innovative green hotels—The Hotel at Oberlin—is just one month away from its soft opening in Oberlin, Ohio. The hotel is owned by Oberlin College and eventually will qualify for the rare LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The 70-room Hotel at Oberlin is the first LEED Platinum hotel owned by a college and anchors the Peter B. Lewis Gateway Center, the cornerstone of Oberlin’s Green Arts District, an ongoing development conceived by the city and college to transform Oberlin into a model for environmentally aware economic development based on education...

SPOKANE, WASH.—Ecova, a leading global energy and sustainability management company, announced that it has published its 2015 Corporate Responsibility Report. It details the company’s impact on clients, the environment, employees and communities. The report also shows significant reductions in Ecova’s carbon footprint, important investments in new solutions and improved performance in climate change reporting.2015 marks the third year of Ecova’s Corporate Responsibility Report. During the first two years, Ecova established the structure of the program, developed strategies that aligned with the business and set measurable goals. In 2015 Ecova put key initiatives into action across the organization.“We are in...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.—In honor of its 20th anniversary, the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) announced a targeted philanthropic strategy to help protect the planet through collaborating with leading nonprofit organizations that will help threatened wildlife and inspire a lifelong love for nature in young people. The new initiative, called “Reverse the Decline, Increase the Time,” is aimed at reversing the decline of 10 threatened species through scientific research, community collaboration, and increasing the time kids spend in nature. “Wildlife and wild places have always been an inspiration to Disney, and we take pride in instilling that same inspiration in...

BANGKOK, THAILAND—Minor Hotel Group (MHG) has moved to cement itself as one of the global leaders in sustainable tourism by implementing the Green Growth 2050 (GG2050) sustainability solution. MHG has committed its 35 resorts and hotels under the Anantara brand to the Green Growth 2050 program, launched in 2015, with many already undergoing certification. A further 35 hotels under different MHG brands are currently implementing the performance measurement solution planned for live operation later in 2016.“In identifying a sustainability partner for the Hotel Group, Minor was looking for a solution that could take our hotels to the next level,”...

DALLAS—ITP (International Tourism Partnership) announced that its employability program the Youth Career Initiative (YCI) has won the People category at the WTTC Tourism 4 Tomorrow Awards in Dallas.Accepting the Award at the WTTC Global Summit, Head of YCI Alberto Canovas said, “On behalf of a very large number of organizations and people across the globe who have made the Youth Career Initiative possible, from hotel partners and nonprofit partners, to our donors and last but not least, our small yet very passionate and dedicated team, I would like to give my sincerest and heartfelt thanks to WTTC and the...