TORONTO—Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced that it has achieved World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Climate Savers Program targets, reducing its operational CO2 emissions by 20 percent below 2006 levels. In doing so, the luxury hotel brand known for its industry leading sustainability programming becomes the first hotel brand to meet this ambitious environmental goal.WWF’s Climate Savers Program was designed to inspire companies to change their thinking about climate solutions, while also encouraging them to transform themselves into low-carbon leaders. This leaves member companies better placed to avoid carbon-related risks while realizing opportunities within their long-term business strategies. Fairmont joined Fortune...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Sustainable Travel International (STI) recently announced changes to its leadership team, adapting to a changing landscape for the tourism industry and cause-based organizations. These changes come as the nonprofit organization takes the next step in its own evolution, driven by a goal to positively impact the lives of at least 10 million residents and their families in destinations around the world with and through its partners over the next 10 years.Effective April 1, 2015, Founder Brian T. Mullis will be Sustainable Travel International’s new Chairman of the Board, and Dr. Louise Twining-Ward will take Mullis’ place as CEO....

INWOOD, N.Y.—Electrolux has for the second year running been included as a constituent in the Global Compact 100, a stock index composed of companies which have signed the United Nations Global Compact.According to the United Nations Global Compact, the Global Compact 100 is composed of a representative group of companies with “strong practices and performance in adhering to the principles of the UN Global Compact around management of human rights, labor rights, the environment and anti-corruption.” Selected companies also show “evidence of executive leadership commitment and consistent base-line profitability.”The index, which was launched in 2013 in partnership with research...

LAS VEGAS—Possibly by August of this year, 26 percent of the electricity needs of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino will be met by a more than 8 megawatt (MW dc) photovoltaic array sitting atop the property’s convention center roof. “Juice” is already flowing from the first phase of the installation—a 6.4 MW dc array. The remaining 2 MW dc amount will be operational once solar panels are installed atop an expansion of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The array is already the world’s largest rooftop solar array on a convention center.According to Chris Brophy, Vice President of Corporate...

PARIS—Accor announced that it is a signatory of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). This program, an initiative of UN Women and the United Nations Global Compact, defines seven principles that foster the empowerment of women in the workplace, the marketplace and the community. •    Principle 1: Establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality.•    Principle 2: Treat all women and men fairly at work—respect and support human rights and non-discrimination.•    Principle 3: Ensure the health, safety and well-being of all women and men workers.•    Principle 4: Promote education, training and professional development for women.•    Principle 5: Implement enterprise development, supply chain...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide announced that RobecoSAM, an investment asset management firm, has recognized the company as a 2015 Gold Class Sustainability Leader in its annual Sustainability Yearbook. This is the second consecutive year the company has been included in the Sustainability Yearbook, receiving the Silver Class rating last year.The Sustainability Yearbook lists the world’s most sustainable companies in each industry and provides thought-provoking snapshots of the main trends, challenges and opportunities with the aim to bridge the gap between corporate sustainability and sustainability investing. In addition to being within the top 15 percent of their industry, companies needed to...

SAN FRANCISCO—In a landmark decision, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved the “Green Tariff Shared Renewables Program,” a measure that will give millions of California residents and businesses the chance to participate in a utility clean energy program for the first time. The decision, which benefits the majority of the state’s businesses and over 38 million residents, directs the three largest investor-owned utilities—Pacific Gas and Electric Co., Southern California Edison Co., and San Diego Gas and Electric Co., which together cover nearly 80 percent of the state—to offer a Green-e Energy certified 100 percent renewable energy option...

BERKELEY, CALIF.—Coyuchi, the first company to bring organic cotton bedding to the United States, announce that the brand’s classic Air Weight Towel Collection has achieved Fair Trade Certification under the strict requirements set by Fair Trade USA. This organic cotton towel collection by Coyuchi marks the first-ever Fair Trade USA Certification for towels in North America.Fair Trade certification for Apparel & Home Goods is the first social, economic and environmental standard that directly benefits the workers who sew the items. It offers companies and consumers an opportunity to positively impact the lives of hard-working people. For every Fair Trade...

GRANT, MICH.—All the Porous Pave manufactured and installed through December 2014 included a total of about six million pounds of rubber recycled from 200,000 tires. A proven option for green stormwater infrastructure, Porous Pave is a highly porous, durable and flexible surfacing material consisting of recycled rubber, aggregate and a binder. The controlled shredding and processing of discarded tires produces the one-quarter-inch nominal size rubber chips incorporated into Porous Pave.“Reaching a total of 200,000 tires saved from landfills, recycled and processed into a component of Porous Pave is an environmental achievement,” said David Ouwinga, President and CEO, Porous Pave,...

CONCORD, CALIF.—Hilton Concord has been honored with two prestigious and coveted designations for its ongoing dedication and commitment to sustainability. Contra Costa County awarded the Hilton Concord hotel with a Certified Green Business designation, the first hotel to receive this honor. In addition, the hotel received the 2014 Contra Costa Green Building Award by Sustainable Contra Costa. The Hilton Concord hotel is owned by VWI Concord LLC and operated by Interstate Hotels & Resorts.“We are proud to have achieved and exceeded the benchmarks in sustainability required for Green Business Certification and thrilled to be the recipient of the 2014...