LONDON—The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) issued a Communiqué during the International Climate Change Negotiations in Durban which urges governments to develop climate change policies which ensure that travel and tourism can grow sustainably and continue to provide millions of new jobs across the planet, regardless of the outcome of talks in Durban. As one of the world’s largest industries, generating more than 9 percent of global GDP and accounting for some 260 million jobs worldwide, the continued growth of the travel and tourism industry is critical to the economic and social wellbeing of millions of people, and is...

TORTOLA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS—During a recent press conference, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) Tourist Board launched the Sustainable Tourism Environmental Program (STEP) alongside Hugh Cresser, a consultant from the firm Tetra Tech who specializes in sustainable tourism management and planning. Tetra Tech has been contracted by the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board to implement the project. The company specializes in consulting, engineering, program management, construction and technical services, and supports government and commercial clients by providing solutions focused on water, the environment, and energy.“Our environment is the biggest drawing card that we have and everybody has to do their...

RIVIERA MAYA, MEXICO—Officials from United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Rainforest Alliance gathered earlier this month to honor Mayakoba Resort and developer OHL Desarrollos as a world leader in sustainable tourism development. Both organizations represented awards bestowed on the development during 2011—the Ulysses Award from the United Nations World Tourism Organization and Sustainable Standard-Setter Award from the Rainforest Alliance. The award ceremony was held at the resort’s Banyan Tree Hotel and attended by representatives from both organizations, Audubon International, as well as several top government officials.In receiving the awards, Andrés Pan de Soraluce, president of OHL Desarrollos, applauded...

ANN ARBOR, MICH.—NSF International, an independent global organization that writes public health standards and certifies products for food, water and consumer goods, has qualified the first wallcoverings distributor to the American National Standard for Sustainable Wallcoverings—NSF/ANSI 342. NSF International developed the standard for Sustainable Wallcoverings to help architects, designers, retailers and consumers identify sustainable and environmentally preferable wallcoverings. NSF/ANSI 342: Sustainability Assessment for Wallcovering Products recognizes the important role distributors play in maintaining the sustainability of wallcovering products throughout their life cycle. In order to qualify and distribute certified sustainable wallcoverings, distributors must demonstrate that they follow environmentally preferable practices....

WASHINGTON, D.C.—President Obama yesterday announced nearly $4 billion in combined federal and private sector energy upgrades to buildings over the next 2 years. These investments will save billions in energy costs, promote energy independence, and, according to independent estimates, create tens of thousands of jobs in the hard-hit construction sector. The $4 billion investment announced includes a $2 billion commitment, made through the issuance of a Presidential Memorandum, to energy upgrades of federal buildings using long term energy savings to pay for up-front costs, at no cost to taxpayers. In addition, 60 CEOs, mayors, university presidents, and labor leaders...

DALTON, GA.—Universal Textile Technologies (UTT) announced a new initiative to incorporate bottles collected from Grand Teton National Park into its manufacturing process. UTT converts the plastic bottles into a non-woven fleece material used to manufacture high-performance environmentally friendly backing for carpet and synthetic turf products. Now termed the PET Park Project, UTT is working in partnership with The Grand Teton National Park, Teton County Solid Waste and Recycling, CPE, Inc., and the United Soybean Board (USB). Americans generate an enormous amount of waste material every day. In the Grand Teton park millions of annual visitors are educated on the positive...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Travel Oregon, in partnership with Sustainable Travel International, has introduced the Oregon Travel Philanthropy Fund. The first statewide program of its kind, this fund will support sustainable tourism development in Oregon by connecting businesses and travelers to projects that improve the environment, support local culture and enhance the destination for future visitors. Participating businesses throughout the state can raise funds for projects via an optional $1 donation from customers. All projects selected as beneficiaries of the fund protect Oregon’s natural assets and/or support communities in a way that improves their appeal as a destination. “Oregonians have a rich history of...

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.—LG Electronics USA announced it will voluntarily reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50 percent by the end of 2020, compared with a 2007 baseline. Like most companies, LG’s energy use represents the vast majority of its GHG emissions. LG Electronics USA, the principal North American subsidiary of global leader LG Electronics, has operations in a dozen states with facilities using about 19.4 million kilowatt hours annually. “LG Electronics has long been proud of how our highly efficient Energy Star qualified products help consumers reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Wayne Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics...

CAPE ELIZABETH, MAINE—There is no shortage of literary bunny tales, or pop culture characters inspired by our natural fondness for rabbits. Who doesn’t love Winnie the Pooh’s practical friend “Rabbit,” Beatrix Potter’s mischievous “Peter,” Bambi’s loyal mentor “Thumper,” or the Velveteen, energizer and seasonally indispensable Cadbury bunnies? But, like Alice in Wonderland’s white rabbit who vanished into a fanciful rabbit hole, New England’s native Cottontail is also on the verge of vanishing—forever, and from the real world.In an effort to stop  from vanishing in Maine, Inn by the Sea, the Maine Department of Conservation, and Bureau of Parks and...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Viridian Wood Products announced the introduction of a new line of 4’x 8’ architectural-grade veneered panels milled from reclaimed North American wood, according to Viridian co-owner Joe Mitchoff. Viridian’s sliced veneers—derived from old-growth redwood previously used in wine tanks, Oregon black walnut reclaimed from urban salvage, and old-growth Douglas fir from warehouse deconstruction—are produced domestically and laid-up on urea formaldehyde-free, FSC-certified medium density fiberboard (MDF) in a variety of thicknesses, including fire-rated cores. Mitchoff said more species are being sourced for launch in the future. “These are distinctive, beautiful and rich in history, a befitting use of some amazing wood,”...