ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc., a global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services, has received a 2014 Climate Leadership Award for excellence in greenhouse gas management. The award, cosponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recognizes Ecolab for publicly reporting and verifying corporate greenhouse gas inventories and achieving aggressive greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.“We are serious about the efficiency of our internal operations from both an environmental and an operational perspective,” said Emilio Tenuta, Ecolab Vice President, Corporate Sustainability. “We set meaningful reduction goals, measure progress and are transparent in our reporting. The Climate Leadership Award...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—According to the latest “Energy Infrastructure Update” report from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Office of Energy Projects, renewable energy sources (i.e., biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, wind) accounted for 37.16 percent of all new domestic electrical generating capacity installed during calendar-year 2013 for a total of 5,279 MW.  That is more than three times that provided for the year by coal (1,543 MW—10.86 percent), oil (38 MW—0.27 percent), and nuclear power (0 MW—0.00 percent) combined. However, natural gas dominated 2013 with 7,270 MW of new capacity (51.17 percent). Waste heat provided the balance of new generating capacity—76 MW...

SYOSSET, N.Y.—Emerald Brand has officially released its first annual Social Responsibility Report in conjunction with its 2014 Catalog. The 2013 Social Responsibility Report showcases the company’s various efforts in environmental sustainability and community outreach throughout 2013. Highlights include the formation of a company-wide Green Team, stricter sustainable sourcing policies, reductions in shipping emissions and electricity usage, participation in tree-planting events, and contributions to global disaster relief efforts. Emerald Brand has been a major player in the sustainability sector since its inception in the late 1990s. The Brand started with just four recycled paper products and has grown to include more...

ATLANTA—Ensuring sustainability of ecosystems through protection of plants, soil and water and increased habitat for native birds and insects is the goal of proposed requirements to the green building standard from ASHRAE, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES).“The intent of the proposal is to maintain or restore a minimum level of biodiversity including bio-diverse plantings, native plants and limited turfgrass,” Anthony Floyd, a member of the Standard 189.1 committee, said. “Supporting and maintaining the biodiversity is critical to the long term health and sustainability of ecosystems of which humans and all life depend...

EDMONTON, ALBERTA—The Shaw Conference Centre (SCC) officially unveiled its new Sustainability Wall, which showcases a vertical garden by local horticulture company Greenjeans. The garden adds color and visual interest to its location on the pedway level across from Hall D. In addition to the garden, the wall highlights a number of sustainable initiatives at the SCC and throughout the City of Edmonton.“This unique showpiece helps tell our sustainability story,” said Cliff Higuchi, Vice President and General Manager of the Shaw Conference Centre. “The convention centre’s location allows us to connect a thriving downtown with the historic river valley, using...

BRANDENBURG, KY.—If you are staying at the Southern Grace Bed & Breakfast in Brandenburg, Ky., and can’t finish your tasty breakfast, don’t even think about throwing your food scraps in the trash. The approximately 70 chickens—free range chickens—will be more than happy to eat what you cannot. According to Theresa Padgett, owner of the 15-acre B&B with her husband David, all food scraps are either fed to the chickens or composted. The plate-to-chicken approach to waste management is just one of the ways the B&B owners work to lighten their property’s impact on the planet. In the garden that...

LAUCALA ISLAND, FIJI—Amidst dramatic rainforest-laced landscapes and coconut plantations, the Fijian private island resort Laucala Island sets the gold standard for the “farm-to-resorts” movement. The resort’s new Executive Chef, Anthony Healy, creates signature cuisine by foraging for the freshest ingredients across the island and taking advantage of the island’s plentiful indigenous produce and livestock. Organic produce is grown on a 240-acre hydroponic farm with 15 different types of fruit, 35 varieties of vegetables and more than 50 Fiji Vanilla plants. Additionally, 80 percent of the island’s seafood is caught within a mile of the shore to preserve the natural...

ATLANTA—InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced that IHG Green Engage, the online sustainability program used by more than 2,600 IHG-branded hotels worldwide, is now recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council under its LEED Volume program and Green Key Global (GKG) as providing streamlined pathways to certification. IHG is the first hotel company to provide an approach to precertification for new-build hotels under the LEED 2009 for New Construction rating system. This is IHG’s second LEED designation—IHG was also the first hotel company to provide LEED precertification for existing hotels.Globally recognized sustainability certifications like LEED and GKG could ultimately improve...

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International has started the largest installation of electrical vehicle (EV) charging stations in Nevada. Twenty-seven EV charging stations will be located at nine of the company’s Las Vegas resorts in addition to MGM Resorts’ main corporate offices. Additional stations will be available at Circus Circus Reno. The charging stations, which will be installed in guest garages and valet areas, will be available for employees and guests to use at no cost.“It is important that our guests have the convenience and ability to continue sustainable habits during their time with us,” said Cindy Ortega, Chief Sustainability Officer...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide announced that RobecoSAM, an investment asset management firm, has recognized the company as a 2014 Silver Class Sustainability Leader in its annual Sustainability Yearbook. This is the first time the company has been included in the Sustainability Yearbook and received the Silver Class rating.The Sustainability Yearbook lists the world’s most sustainable companies in each industry. This year, in addition to being within the top 15 percent of their industry, companies needed to achieve a score within 30 percent of the best-performing company in their industry to be included. Wyndham Worldwide is the only company in the...