NATIONAL REPORT—Interest in eco-friendly commercial buildings is on the rise and scrutiny of organizations’ ESG initiatives mean building owners’ and other stakeholders’ reputations and revenue depend upon them taking steps to become more sustainable. The Center on Global Energy Policy recently reported the buildings sector worldwide consumes approximately 30 percent of global energy—natural gas, electricity and solid and liquid fuels for heating, cooling, lighting, equipment and cooking. The commentary also pointed out the importance of decarbonization in the buildings sector. Interest in eco-friendly commercial buildings is on the rise, especially with increasing reports of global warming and companies’ impact of using vast amounts of...

PARIS—For many years, Accor has been committed to sustainable development. In 2020, the Group set out its commitment to contribute to net zero carbon emissions globally by 2050 and reduce its absolute emissions by 46 percent (Scope 1&2) and by 28 percent (Scope 3) by 2030. Accor wants to go a step further in its sustainability transformation and commits to supporting its 5,400 hotels in obtaining an external sustainable certification. Alongside Accor joining the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) last year, the Group announced that two additional global partnerships have been signed with Green Key and Green Globe, both partners...

HONG KONG—Driven by a sense of purpose to build a future where people and place enrich one another, Rosewood Hotel Group has announced Rosewood Impacts, a groupwide roadmap for delivering positive impact on all its communities and the planet we call home. With deeper commitments to empowering people across the brand’s entire ecosystem and a sustainability approach that puts circular hospitality at the core of business operations, Rosewood Impacts is both a recognition of the group’s ongoing programs and a strategic roadmap for future efforts. With tangible goals in the fields of sustainability, employment, partnerships and more, the comprehensive...

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL—Suzano, the world’s largest producer of hardwood pulp, and Sofidel, a leading European tissue paper producer, announced “Together we plant the future”, a landmark three-year pilot project which will advance ecological conservation and restoration, alongside supporting socio-economic development in the Amazon region in Brazil. This will be delivered with support and on-the-ground implementation from the Brazilian Institute for Development and Sustainability (IABS) and Amazônia Onlus, an Italian nonprofit active to defend the forest and the people of the Amazon. This region was selected because some of Suzano’s operations are in that area. Through the partnership, Sofidel’s investment will scale...

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—The time is now for the global travel industry to enact meaningful changes for the climate, according to a newly released report, “The State of Climate Action in Business Travel—Global Industry Barometer 2023,” from the GBTA Foundation, the charitable arm of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). As reflected in the findings, “business travel is at a critical juncture” as the industry continues to adjust to new realities and envisions a more resilient future for global travel. The report was unveiled at the 2nd GBTA Sustainability Summit held in Washington, D.C., where Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA, underscored the importance of collaboration to facilitate...

DALLAS—By reducing their carbon footprint 17 percent since 2018, leading tile company sister brands Daltile, Marazzi, and American Olean were key contributors to their parent company, Mohawk Industries, being named to USA Today’s recent “America’s Climate Leaders” list. This Daltile, Marazzi, and American Olean substantial reduction in carbon emissions is just one of many sustainability accomplishments the brands have achieved to date, providing their customers with tile that is not only attractive and durable, but sustainably and responsibly manufactured. “As a company, we create beautiful tile designs responsibly,” said Paij Thorn-Brooks, Vice President of Marketing, Dal-Tile LLC. “Under our brands’...

BANGKOK—A peaceful haven nestled in the beating heart of the Eternal City, Six Senses Rome opened its doors in the historical Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini on March 16. This milestone also marks the completed renovation of the magnificent façade of the adjacent San Marcello al Corso Church, the first sustainability project sponsored by the hotel. “After almost three decades away from my hometown, it is a joy to be back to lead such an incredible project,” says Francesca Tozzi, General Manager of Six Senses Rome. “It makes my team and I feel very proud to open the first urban...

PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS—Atlantis Paradise Island, a global leader in marine life conservation, will be home to The Bahamas’ first coral gene bank, making strides in the global fight against Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD), an affliction decimating coral populations in The Bahamas and beyond. Nearly half of The Bahamas and Caribbean’s reef-building coral species are susceptible to SCTLD. Of the 45 reef-building coral species within the region, more than half can catch the disease, including some of the slowest-growing and longest-lived species such as brain, pillar, and star corals. Coral survival rate of SCTLD is extremely low and once infected, corals can die within weeks. Signed into effect on May...

ITHACA, N.Y.—For the ninth consecutive year, the annual Cornell Hotel Sustainability Benchmarking research reveals a general decrease in energy and water usage among the participating hotels. The decrease is largely associated with the pandemic which shook the world and granted no exception to the hospitality industry. For this reason, low occupancy rates and hotel closures are major contributors to the decreased energy and water consumption reported, as compared to the 2019 calendar year data set. A total of 25,576 hotels from 31 international hotel groups took part by providing data on their water and energy use for the calendar year of...

LINCOLN, NEB.—The Arbor Day Foundation surpassed a tree planting milestone, having helped to plant 500 million trees over the organization’s 51-year history. Recognized as the world’s largest nonprofit dedicated to planting trees, the 500 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have found homes in cities, forests and neighborhoods in more than 50 countries worldwide. “Sometimes it’s hard to put 500 million trees in context because it’s so many trees. But whether it was planted in somebody’s backyard or in a national forest, every one of these Arbor Day Foundation trees matters,” said Dan Lambe, Chief Executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “All of these...