ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab has been named to the 2013 CDP Global 500 Climate Performance Leadership Index (CPLI) and CDP Global 500 Climate Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI), two leading environmental indices announced with release of the CDP Global 500 Climate Change Report 2013. CDP is the only global environmental disclosure system, and the report tracks how the world’s largest public companies are responding to a changing climate.The annual CDP indices highlight those companies listed on the FTSE Global Equity Index Series (Global 500) that demonstrate actions to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the risks of climate change (CPLI) or have...

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN—During the first half of 2013, Scandic’s energy consumption fell by 0.42 percent, water consumption was down 3.26 percent and unsorted waste was 10.17 percent less, compared with the same period last year. Emissions of carbon dioxide have, however, risen by 4.71 percent, largely due to a third party change in energy purchasing by the external district heating supplier.Scandic has been working on environmental issues since the mid-1990s. Water, energy, waste and carbon emissions are some of the areas that the Group measures each month in order to continuously improve its sustainability work. This work has paid dividends...

Since re-launching our Sustainability practice in late 2011, HVS has contended that sustainability initiatives should focus on utility efficiency and be driven by the bottom line. We believe that a valid business case exists for numerous types of investments in building equipment and enhanced operating practices, and across the hospitality sector there are literally thousands of good projects with strong return on investment that are waiting to be undertaken. While we have observed a growing number of case studies that describe the cost and savings of various building equipment upgrades, it would be remiss to have a conversation about...

NEW YORK—This year’s 98th annual International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show (IHMRS) will be its greenest ever. For the first time, a section of the trade show floor—Hospitality Green—will be carved out for exhibitors offering eco-friendly products and services. Hospitality Green, presented in partnership with Green Lodging News, is one of five pavilions at this year’s IHMRS. The others include: Operations, Technology, Food & Beverage, and Tabletop. Some of the companies exhibiting in Hospitality Green this year include: Planglow, Ultra Green, Lektron, Xeros, and Verdant Technologies. In addition to Hospitality Green, five green panel discussions, also presented with the...

LOS ANGELES—L’Heure Bleue, the eco-chic resort of Nosy Be, in Madagascar, has been created as a model for sustainable tourism: Everything is designed from the outset, in a spirit of respect for the environment and sustainable development, in harmony with local people. L’Heure Bleue was recently awarded Green Globe certification.“L’Heure Bleue wants to demonstrate that another type of tourism is achievable, based on ethical values and respect,” said Yves Benouaich, general manager. “We would like to prove that responsible tourism brings together pleasure and well-being, without impacting on the quality of services and benefits. We are committed to fight...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corp. has launched its 2012 corporate responsibility report update, highlighting critical advances in environmental sustainability in support of the company’s signature corporate responsibility platform Hyatt Thrive.The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 3.1-compliant companion piece serves as a mid-cycle reporting update to Hyatt’s full 2011 corporate responsibility report. Together, the reports offer a two-year snapshot of the company’s work to make local communities places where Hyatt associates are proud to work, where guests want to visit, where neighbors want to live and where hotel owners want to invest. “2012 offered opportunity to build on our strong foundation and extend...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort is changing its roof top landscape by adding six wind turbines to the 25-story all-suite resort located across from the Atlantic Ocean on AIA in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The 374-suite resort has been committed to saving energy since opening in 2007 and was the first hotel in Fort Lauderdale Beach to be awarded a Florida green lodging designation. Continuing the commitment of going above and beyond environmental regulations and voluntarily implementing hotel conservation programs, the hotel has begun installation of the six wind turbines that will help reduce energy consumption that will...

CHICAGO—Nucraft Furniture Co., known for its meticulously crafted office furniture, announced that its Flow XT Conference Table has received the first Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) in the North American furniture industry, independently certified by SCS Global Services (SCS). The EPD is a transparent disclosure of environmental performance based on lifecycle assessment (LCA). “Nucraft has a longstanding commitment to sustainability, as evidenced by our selection of furniture construction materials and our many certifications,” said Bob Bockheim, Nucraft president. “We are pleased to be able to provide even greater environmental transparency to our customers through this new Environmental Product Declaration.” EPDs are increasingly...

EMERYVILLE, CALIF.—SCS Global Services (SCS) has issued the first gold-level certification to Designtex, a Steelcase Company, under the facts ecolabel developed by the Association for Contract Textiles (ACT). The certification recognizes Designtex’s “Gold Standard” textiles collection—including its Concept, Precision, and Pop Art styles—as meeting stringent criteria for environmental sustainability from the fiber stage to end-of-use.“This certification confirms Designtex’s commitment to environmental excellence,” said Stowe Beam, managing director of SCS Environmental Certification Services division. “Its precedent-setting gold-level certification is a valuable example for other textile companies to follow.”According to Beam, the facts ecolabel is issued only after companies demonstrate that...

LONDON—The International Tourism Partnership and Greenview seek hoteliers’ views and perspectives on sustainable supply chain management. Earlier this year, ITP’s supply chain working group performed a high level risk mapping exercise of the supply chain in order to inform the future direction of the group’s activities. Weighing various criteria of spend, risk, impact and the likelihood of success, it gave a strong steer to the group where the opportunities for collaboration lay.In the next phase of its supply chain work, ITP has teamed up with Greenview to create a common framework for the hotel industry to discuss and approach...