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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.

Wyndham Scores High on Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, ranks number one in the hospitality industry and among the top 10 percent in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Global 500 Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index. The Index highlights the constituent companies within the S&P 500 Index which have displayed the most professional approach to corporate governance regarding climate change information disclosure practices. With a carbon disclosure score of 83, this was the first appearance for Wyndham Worldwide on the annual index by the CDP, which represents 551 institutional investors with $71 trillion in assets. CDP commended Wyndham Worldwide for its...

BYD Joins Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium

NEW YORK—The Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium announced that BYD has joined the Consortium as a Contributing Member. A global leader in new energy solutions, BYD’s membership in the Consortium will contribute to establishing the new Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Index (HSPI), to set standards for evaluating sustainability practices and purchases industry wide. With more than 4.5 million hotel rooms in the United States, lighting is a critical element of design, which must be integrated throughout the development, redevelopment and renovations processes. “Our goal in joining the Consortium is to help the hospitality industry by establishing sustainability performance criteria that delivers real solutions...

Shafer Joins Sustainable Purchasing Consortium

NEW YORK—The Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium announced that Shafer Commercial Seating has joined the Consortium as a Contributing Member. A family-owned U.S. manufacturer of chairs, booths and tables for the hospitality industry for more than 75 years, Shafer’s membership in the Consortium is another important step toward building a new Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Index (HSPI) that will reflect industry-wide sustainability performance standards for all suppliers, large and small. “High quality, comfortable furniture is an essential element of the guest experience for all hospitality providers,” said Randy Shafer, president of Shafer Commercial Seating, Inc.  “Over the past 15 years, we have...

Shaw Releases Third Annual Corporate Responsibility Report

DALTON, GA.—Shaw Industries Group, Inc. has released its third annual corporate sustainability report. Focused on Shaw’s commitment to sustainability through Innovation, the report highlights the Berkshire Hathaway company’s environmental and social responsibility leadership. Beginning with the question, “What if Sustainable Business Meant Smarter Business?”, the report covers Shaw’s significant investment in sustainability initiatives during the 2010 calendar year, substantiating the organization’s progress with metrics and data for more than 40 performance indicators. “Stakeholders are looking to private enterprise to take the lead in addressing the most critical questions facing today’s businesses—including questions about environmental and social risks,” said Shaw CEO...

P2Rx Announces Launch of National Sustainable Lodging Network

NATIONAL REPORT—The Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange (P2Rx) announces the launch of the “National Sustainable Lodging Network,” an online community of sustainable hospitality practitioners and an information clearinghouse to support the work of this community. Public interest in “going green,” personal ethic, and market demand have led to a growing community of practice in the sustainable hospitality area. As a result, there has been an explosion of state and local sustainable hospitality programs in recent years and a proliferation of information on how to “green up” hospitality operations. Ryan Hamel, of Kansas State University’s Pollution Prevention Institute, notes, “In the last...

Fairmont Reduces CO2 Emissions by 8.4 Percent

TORONTO—As part of its ongoing climate change strategy, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced that it has cut its CO2 output by 8.4 percent. As a member of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Climate Savers program, Fairmont has pledged to reduce its operational CO2 emissions by 20 percent below 2006 levels by 2013, and was the world’s first luxury hotel group to commit to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). The more than 8 percent decline, based on 2010 year-end data, means the hotel company is almost halfway to its ambitious reduction target. “Everyone can agree that the debate on climate...

Zeftron Announces Winners of Its Sustainable Practices Awards

DALTON, GA.—Zeftron nylon announced Jerica Sifuentes, a project coordinator and designer at Go Studio in Dallas, as the grand prize winner in its third annual Sustainable Practices Award competition. Tina Hovsepian, a designer with Duvivier Architects and CEO of Cardborigami Inc. in Los Angeles has been selected as the runner-up. The award honors commercial architecture, interior design and facility professionals who are helping create a more sustainable planet by implementing innovative green practices at their work, in their homes and in their communities. As a way to further advance sustainable practices, the award requires the winner and runner-up to select...

MGM Resorts Issues Comprehensive Environmental Responsibility Report

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International has issued its Environmental Responsibility Report chronicling its comprehensive philosophy known as its “Green Advantage.” The report, released during the Fourth Annual National Clean Energy Summit held at the company’s ARIA Resort, outlines the company’s strategic approach and recent achievements toward improved stewardship of the environment at its 15 resorts around the country. “Environmental responsibility is a core company value that is woven into and throughout our culture and business operations,” said James J. Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International. “For our customers, environmental stewardship is becoming a key area of awareness. They are...

NEWH Planning Sustainable Design Tradeshow, Conference

WASHINGTON, D.C.—NEWH announces the first annual NEWH Sustainable Design and Development Conference and Tradeshow. This tradeshow will bring together innovative, sustainable leaders, ideas, products, design and tangible business results. NEWH invites all members of the design and development community, hospitality industry, event professionals and sustainable partners who are looking to gain further insight and to promote and build strong business relationships to attend this new industry show. The show will be a one-day event December 9, 2011, and will be held at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. The tradeshow will run all day, concluding with a cocktail reception...

Industry Leaders Working to Reach Consensus on Methodology for Calculating Carbon Footprints

LONDON—The International Tourism Partnership (ITP) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) are collaborating on a groundbreaking initiative to unite hotel industry efforts to calculate and communicate carbon impact by agreeing on a standardized methodology and metrics. For the first time, leaders within the hotel industry are collaborating to reach a consensus on a single methodology for calculating carbon footprints and consistent metrics for communicating emissions. The Carbon Measurement Working Group driven by hospitality members within ITP and WTTC includes leading international hotel companies such as Accor, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels...