CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes 3Degrees Group, Inc. as a sponsor. The San Francisco-based company delivers customized global climate change solutions to U.S. businesses, utilities and institutions. The company engages customers to develop, execute, and communicate sustainability strategies that add value to their brand. The company’s expertise in sourcing verified carbon offsets and certified renewable energy certificates enables customers to reduce their carbon footprint. The 3Degrees website includes a carbon calculator that enables one to calculate carbon dioxide generated from home electricity consumption, car travel and air travel. As a partner to business efforts...

TORONTO—A firm advocate of sustainable energy, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced its continued involvement with the Pembina Institute, a leading non-profit environmental organization that actively promotes sustainable energy solutions. As part of this ongoing commitment, Fairmont is expanding the program in 2007 to include all of its corporate office computers across North America. Since 2006, Fairmont has purchased an equivalent of 390 MwH of wind power to offset the greenhouse gas emissions generated by all of its front desk check-in computers. Made possible by purchasing Eco-Logo certified wind power, Fairmont will now have a total of 837 computers...

BAY SHORE, N.Y.—Duralee Contract introduces Eco-Fabrics that feature 100 percent Eco Intelligent Polyester that is Cradle to Cradle Gold certified by MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry). With a current and much-needed social movement towards sustainable products, Duralee Contract has designed the Eco-Fabrics by Duralee Contract collection to fit into the lifestyle of the environmentally conscious without forfeiting fine design. Eco-Fabrics by Duralee Contract makes it possible to match unique patterns and colorways with the satisfaction of taking a step in promoting a healthy planet. To achieve the Gold level, MBDC evaluated Eco Intelligent Polyester material and product ingredients for human...

SNOWMASS VILLAGE, COLO.—Related/WestPac announced that the $2 billion 80-acre Snowmass Village, Colo. mixed-use development will combine groundbreaking environmental stewardship with a first-class resort experience. The development includes residential units, world-class hotels, retail, entertainment, and restaurant amenities surrounding the renowned ski area. The Snowmass development seeks to create a new model in community and resort sustainable development and be one of the first and most ambitious projects to be chosen for the new LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Pilot Neighborhood Development certification program. Related/WestPac will incorporate LEED’s pilot Neighborhood certification program and plans to augment these efforts by extending...

ALPHARETTA, GA.—Neenah Paper Inc., a premium paper manufacturer, has joined the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX). CCX is the world’s first and North America’s only voluntary but legally binding greenhouse gas emissions reduction, registry and trading program. By joining CCX, Neenah Paper has not only committed to tracking and reporting carbon dioxide emissions, but also to achieving a 6 percent reduction by 2010 versus their baseline. CCX’s trading system establishes limits on overall emissions and sets company allowances for members. Businesses with emissions below their allowances can trade the remainder to other companies, whereas businesses that do not achieve their committed...

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO—The San Juan Marriott has joined forces with Sustainable Travel International (STI) on its pioneering TravelGreen program, which will allow it to offer carbon neutral accommodations—the first hotel in Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean, to do so. Carbon neutral means the point at which greenhouse gas emissions have been identified, measured, reduced where possible, and 100 percent of the remaining emissions have been offset through high quality renewable energy or energy efficiency projects. TravelGreen allows San Juan Marriott guests the opportunity to do something proactive and help offset greenhouse gas emissions. A typical one-night hotel stay...

NATIONAL REPORT—According to the American Hotel & Lodging Assn., there are approximately 4.4 million guestrooms in the United States. It is pretty safe to assume there is at least one mattress in each room. Assuming a thickness of 12 inches per mattress, the industry’s mattresses, stacked on top of one another, would reach 636 miles into the sky. With mattresses replaced every seven years, on average, it is obvious the lodging industry has a huge waste management issue on its hands. Where do mattresses go when they are no longer useable? Most end up in landfills. Liability and hygiene issues...

AMMAN, JORDAN—In an effort to continuously promote awareness of environmental issues, Marriott Hotels in Jordan have just announced that they have become members of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), an independent voluntary organization devoted to the conservation of Jordan’s natural resources. Managing the natural resources of Jordan is done by setting up protected areas to safeguard the best wildlife and scenic areas, and breeding endangered species to save them from extinction. In addition, conservation includes enforcing governmental laws to protect wildlife, controlling illegal hunting, and raising awareness of environmental issues through educational programs. As members in the...

MIAMI—The Caribbean hospitality industry’s growth, while positive for the countries’ economies, continues to have a major impact on the environment. Sensitizing hotels and fostering a way for them to integrate better social and environmental practices into day-to-day business decisions is a critical first step to preserve the area. Working towards that goal each year, American Express, in association with the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), recognizes those Caribbean hotels whose efforts stand out and position them at the cutting edge of social and environmental responsibility. “Being environmentally-conscious is not only important to the community, but it also makes good business sense,”...

BUFFALO GROVE, ILL.—Profitability of America’s corporations will be closely tied to proactive sustainability practices and green building principles, according to findings from the new McGraw-Hill Construction (part of The McGraw-Hill Companies) SmartMarket Report: Greening of Corporate America commissioned by Siemens Building Technologies Inc. and Siemens USA. The study shows that most U.S. corporate leaders are interested in sustainability, with the majority looking at proactive ways to make it a consistent part of their mission. According to the study’s findings, 18 percent of responding corporate leaders are in the upper—or market transformational stages—with 15 percent viewing sustainability as a...