ATLANTA—ASHRAE announced its unwavering commitment to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with the launch of its redesigned building decarbonization webpage and the release of a new Building Performance Standards Technical Resource Guide. The ASHRAE Task Force for Building Decarbonization (TFBD) webpage includes technical resources, information, videos and publications to expedite the adoption of climate change mitigation policies and reaffirms the Society’s goals stated in the ASHRAE Vision 2022 Report, approved by ASHRAE’s board of directors, as well as the ASHRAE Position Document on Building Decarbonization, to achieve net zero GHG emissions in operation for all new buildings by 2030. “Over the years, ASHRAE has demonstrated its...

LANAI CITY, HAWAII—Maui Nui Marine Resource Council’s Reef Friendly Landscaping Certification Program announced Four Seasons Resort Lanai as its first fully accredited resort partner. The resort was awarded Gold Certification for organic landscape management. The Reef Friendly Landscaping (RFL) Program aims to prevent polluted runoff originating from the use of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides from resorts, golf courses, businesses, and residential areas. Research has shown that traditional pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers can negatively impact marine ecosystems, through coral bleaching and developmental issues in juvenile corals and fish and can cause cancerous growths in sea turtles and other marine life. Maui...

DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY—Henkel published its 32nd Sustainability Report, outlining its performance and progress on implementing its sustainability strategy and targets. In a highly challenging market environment, the company was able, among other things, to drive progress in sustainability in many key dimensions, by further reducing its CO2-emissions and expanding its social engagement. “I cannot recall a year in the recent past in which the overall business environment was so challenging for our company. The war in Ukraine has deeply shaken us and has far-reaching consequences. It has shaped the economic environment, particularly the energy crisis and higher raw material prices. But...

Over the past few years, like all companies, Amadeus has been working both internally and externally, on the impact of its actions with regards to sustainability. However, I believe we have reached a tipping point, particularly in corporate travel, where sustainability is now starting to drive the conversation. We are at a decisive moment in time where governments and organizations move from commitments to actions; from measurement to reducing carbon emissions, and from looking at one sustainability issue to a more holistic view with more elements. For instance, many airlines are defining clear and ambitious “net-zero emission targets by X”...

LONDON—The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center have unveiled groundbreaking new data detailing the climate footprint of the Travel & Tourism sector in Germany. In one of the largest research projects of its kind, WTTC can for the first time ever, accurately report and track the impact the sector has on the environment. According to this groundbreaking new data, Germany is one of just a few major countries where Travel & Tourism has continued to grow, whilst reducing its absolute emissions. In 2019, the sector was responsible for 10.3 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions...

CINCINNATI—Cintas Corp. is nearing completion of a multi-year companywide LED lighting transition project to help reduce facility-focused energy use and support the company along its Path to Net Zero. Cintas’ 475 facilities throughout the United States and Canada fulfill the needs of its four business divisions. These field locations, distribution centers and corporate facilities combine for about 23 million square feet of space that requires heating, cooling and appropriate lighting. Cintas identified an opportunity to decrease energy use by installing LED lights at its older, more energy-intensive locations, and initiated the company-wide LED transition project in FY’19. Cintas’ Quality and Engineering Team...

KAUAI, HAWAII—1 Hotels, the mission-driven luxury lifestyle hotel brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, announces the opening of 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, its flagship nature-and-wellness-focused island oasis overlooking a storied stretch of Kauai’s North Shore. Guests seeking solace and serenity at this sustainable sanctuary can swim, snorkel, bike, paddle, kayak, soak up the sun and surf off a legendary beach where Native Hawaiians lived in harmony with nature for generations and a laidback surf scene still thrives. The dramatic peaks of the Namolokama and Mamalahoa mountains loom over a verdant valley whose iconic waterfalls capture the breathtaking bounty and beauty of Hawaii’s famed “Garden Island.” “Hanalei Bay...

DENVER—Collective Retreats, a pioneer in outdoor experiential hospitality, has announced a partnership with NEOM to open a next generation, ultra-sustainable retreat in Trojena, the snow-capped mountain destination located in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Slated to open at the start of 2026, Collective Trojena will re-imagine the outdoor hospitality experience 50km from the Gulf of Aqaba. The retreat will feature approximately 60 open-air guestrooms and innovative meeting space concepts as well as dramatic water features, communal campfires and inspired culinary experiences, evoking the intrepid spirit of the Collective Retreats brand while showcasing a masterstroke blend of natural and developed landscapes. Collective Trojena will also offer direct...

TROY, N.Y.—Audubon International—the environmentally focused nonprofit organization offering members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we all live, work, and play—announces the addition of a new Signature Sanctuary Platinum Certification level. Signature Sanctuary Certification is specifically designed for properties undergoing renovation or new development with the goal of ensuring sustainable design, construction, and long-term management of golf courses, resorts, and communities, and has traditionally been offered on three levels—Bronze, Silver and Gold. The Platinum Certification level offers the opportunity to encompass an entire resort under one certification umbrella—Signature Sanctuary for golf course and maintenance structures and systems...

GREER, S.C.—LifeMade Products LLC (LifeMade), an operating company of Jadex Inc., announced that the company’s LifeMade Compostable Straws have received OK compost HOME certification from TÜV Austria. This achievement is in addition to the product’s BPI Commercially Compostable certification previously received. TÜV Austria OK compost HOME certification provides assurance to consumers that LifeMade Compostable Straws will compost safely in any home compost heap. Made in the USA, LifeMade Compostable Straws are available in Jumbo size and packaged for most foodservice operations, having a diameter of 0.25” and a length of 8”. The straws are individually wrapped and available in case...