AMSTERDAM—As nature faces unprecedented pressures, with human activity the leading cause for one million animal and plant species being pushed to the brink of extinction, GRI has published a major update to its Biodiversity Standard. Setting a new global benchmark in accountability for biodiversity impacts, GRI 101: Biodiversity 2024 supports organizations around the world to comprehensively disclose their most significant impacts on biodiversity, throughout their operations and value chain. Enabling companies to meet growing demands from multiple stakeholders for information on biodiversity impacts, the GRI Biodiversity Standard delivers: Full transparency throughout the supply chain—often where the most significant impacts on biodiversity can go...

DOMINICA—The Commonwealth of Dominica, the resilient and eco-conscious island nation, has earned a spot in the prestigious list of Top 10 Sustainable Destinations in 2024 by BBC Travel. This recognition emphasizes Dominica’s steadfast commitment to sustainability, resilience, and environmental preservation. In the face of adversity, particularly Tropical Storm Erika and Hurricane Maria, Dominica demonstrated remarkable resilience, earning praise from BBC Travel for its determined efforts in rebuilding and embracing sustainability. Prime Minister of Dominica, Honorable Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit, is well on his way in transforming Dominica into the “world’s first climate resilient nation” and propelling the nation towards becoming a...

MENDOZA, ARGENTINA—SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites in Mendoza has been awarded Silver Certification by the Hoteles Más Verdes program, a rigorous certification initiative from the Asociación de Hoteles de Turismo de la República Argentina (AHT) that recognizes hotels and tourism accommodations that demonstrate superior environmental performance and sustainable practices. Inspired by global sustainable tourism certification programs, the certification for the Hoteles Más Verdes award involves a comprehensive evaluation of a hotel’s management practices, environmental policies, and overall contribution to cultural and natural heritage preservation. This achievement underscores the hotel’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability, excellent design, and community...

NATIONAL REPORT—Most known for use in items ranging from wine bottles to bulletin boards to flooring, cork is beginning to find a home in hospitality as cork leather. Cork leather can be used to upholster furniture, as wallcovering, or in other design features such as room dividers and offers a much more favorable sustainability story than traditional leather. “The concept of cork leather comes out of the apparel and accessories markets,” says Sustainiture’s Steve Sechrest. “It is brand new to the hospitality world.” Sustainiture is the U.S. distributor for PortugaliaCork’s Suberise Cork Leather. TFS Natural Home’s Suzanne Diamond says her company...

MUMBAI, INDIA—Sofitel Mumbai BKC announced that it has been awarded Green Key Certification by the National Jury Green Key India and the Center for Environment Education (CEE). The hotel is the very first in the country to have been awarded this certification. Launched in India in 2023, Green Key is a leading standard for excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. In India, the Green Key certificate is being implemented by the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) Ahmedabad, which is a full member of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Green Key India is an initiative of...

It is “popping up” everywhere: cork. Known for its wine bottle role, versatile, sustainable cork is being used as a source material in a wide variety of new products. ReCORK just announced it has developed a material made from 75 percent recycled natural cork to be used as a replacement for petroleum-based foam used in shoe soles. The material will be featured in a new line of shoes by ReCORK’s founding company, SOLE. At this past fall’s Boutique Design New York, I was introduced to cork leather by TFS Natural Home’s Suzanne Diamond who showed me an example of how...

LAS VEGAS—Sands has again been recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Most Responsible Companies for 2024. The company ranked 259th out of 600 total companies on the list, the highest among integrated resort companies, and fifth among the 19 companies included in the Hotels, Dining & Leisure category. “We deeply value this recognition as endorsement for our most recent accomplishments and ongoing work, which is indicative of our longstanding commitment to being a responsible company,” said Ron Reese, Senior Vice President of Global Communications and Corporate Affairs, who spearheads corporate responsibility initiatives for the company. “Our initiatives are centered...

SEA RANCH, CALIF.—The Sea Ranch Lodge, set along the dramatic coastline of Sonoma County, has unveiled The Farm, a haven for regenerative farming practices located on agricultural land just south of The Sea Ranch Lodge. With a mission to provide wholesome sustainable dining at The Sea Ranch Lodge, The Farm features a myriad of farming and ranching techniques that surpass conventional practices, from regenerative beef and lamb farming and mushroom cultivation to honey harvesting and composting. Guests and locals can enjoy The Farm’s fresh bounty with Lodge programming including farm tours, hiking, birding, and picnics. “The Sea Ranch Lodge Team is continuously exploring...

Founded in 1945 by Albert Einstein, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and University of Chicago scientists who helped develop the first atomic weapons in the Manhattan Project, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists created the Doomsday Clock two years later, using the imagery of apocalypse (midnight) and the contemporary idiom of nuclear explosion (countdown to zero) to convey threats to humanity and the planet. The Doomsday Clock is set every year by the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board in consultation with its Board of Sponsors, which includes nine Nobel laureates. The Clock has become a universally recognized indicator of the world’s vulnerability...

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—Registration has opene for GBTA Academy’s Sustainable Travel Management course, which kicks off February 26. This comprehensive, five-week training will focus on the practical application of climate action and the management, reduction, and tracking of carbon emissions from business travel. Registration closes after February 19. Many companies are making ambitious changes in their policies and practices to tackle their carbon emissions. The Sustainable Travel Management course will cover what that means in practice for corporate travel managers, buyers, and those who interact with managed travel programs (like suppliers, travel management companies, and consultants). This online training course will help you to: Align your...