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Sustainability

According to a report issued by the World Commission on Environment and Development, sustainable development is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Got a great idea about how to turn green into gold? Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Sustainability

Home Sustainability
According to a report issued by the World Commission on Environment and Development, sustainable development is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Got a great idea about how to turn green into gold? Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Ecova Continues Partnership with CDP

SPOKANE, WASH.—Ecova announced that it has obtained accreditation from CDP as a silver software partner for the fourth consecutive year. The accreditation reflects Ecova’s continued commitment to helping its clients meet the highest standards of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting while simplifying the process for calculating and reporting with the use of Ecova’s Carbon Management Solution.“Ecova’s Carbon Management Solution is a valuable resource for companies reporting to CDP,” said Paul Robins, CDP’s head of corporate partnerships. “Alongside calculating GHG emissions, their software houses business analytic tools for forecasting, scenario modeling and project tracking, and we are delighted that they...

BookDifferent Publicizes Hotel Carbon Emission Figures

AMSTERDAM—BookDifferent has begun to publicize the carbon emission figures for 591,000 hotels. According to BookDifferent, it is the first OTA to do this. The carbon footprint of each accommodation is shown by a footprint icon containing the number of kilos CO2 emission per night stayed. Hotels with a green footprint have a low carbon footprint and are therefore a better choice than the hotels with a red one.“By showing the carbon footprint icons we give consumers a voice by enabling them to choose to stay in a hotel with a small carbon footprint,” said Lonneke de Kort, Director of...

EcoChic Lifestyles Unveils New Outdoor Furniture Line

LOS ANGELES—EcoChic Lifestyles’ colorful, weather-resistant new outdoor line is available now at its online store. The creator of upscale, sustainable furniture is offering free worldwide shipping on any of its one-of-a-kind furnishings through March 2015.EcoChic Lifestyles’ new outdoor line comprises the same reclaimed teak wood and iron from bridges as its original line. Consumers will find that the larger coffee-table sizes they’ve been requesting are in place. Okeanos (large) and Samudera (medium) coffee tables complement the company’s Oceanic (small) coffee table. The new Backshore (large) and Breakwater (medium) coffee tables offer fans of EcoChic Lifestyles’ Beach Buoys (small) coffee...

Duro-Last Achieves NSF Certification for Roofing Membranes

SAGINAW, MICH.—Duro-Last announced that it has achieved gold certification under the NSF American National Standard for Sustainable Roofing Membranes—NSF/ANSI 347. Certified by UL, this standard represents that Duro-Last manufactures a product that is third-party verified as sustainable, durable, and high performing. The certification applies to 40, 50 and 60 mil, white, gray, dark gray, tan, and terra cotta Duro-Last membranes.NSF/ANSI 347 was written by NSF International and, according to their website, is based on lifecycle assessment principles. NSF/ANSI 347 employs an easy-to-use point system to evaluate roofing membrane products against established prerequisite requirements, performance criteria and quantifiable metrics in...

Bill Clinton Among Dignitaries at Opening of Haiti Marriott

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI—The new Marriott Port-au-Prince Hotel has checked in its first guests. Among the 200 new Haitian hotel workers who welcomed them were young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and Haitian-Americans who want to share their hospitality skills to help boost Haiti’s tourism economy. The stories of these new associates include Luccardo, who was recruited to work at the hotel’s front desk from the Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs orphanage, and Hermine, who was part of the hotel’s intern program and will be an entry-level supervisor. In addition to members of a Haitian-American executive team, the Haiti Marriott is led...

Sustainable Business Travel on the Rise in Europe

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—The majority (57 percent) of European-based companies have sustainability initiatives written into their company’s travel policy, according to a recent study on sustainability in travel programs by the GBTA Foundation, the education and research arm of the Global Business Travel Assn. (GBTA).This marks a significant increase from 39 percent in 2012, and is largely attributable to the financial benefits, and safety and security enhancements delivered by the programs. The study also found that more U.S. companies are incorporating sustainability programs into contracts (from 11 percent in 2011 to 19 percent), but they continue to lag behind European counterparts.“Overall,...

Fairmont Achieves Global CO2 Reduction Target

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...

STI Announces Leadership Changes

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....

Electrolux Selected for UN Global Compact 100 Index

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...

MGM Resorts Eyes August Completion for Convention Center Rooftop Array

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...