ATLANTA—ASHRAE issued a position document on building decarbonization and its role in mitigating the negative carbon impact of buildings on the environment. ASHRAE Position Document on Building Decarbonization presents the Society’s positions and recommendations for achieving a reduction in emissions through the renovation of existing building stock and improvements to new building designs. “Building decarbonization encompasses a building’s entire life cycle, including building design, construction, operation, occupancy and end of life,” said 2022-23 ASHRAE President Farooq Mehboob, Fellow ASHRAE. “ASHRAE is leading the charge in accelerating the mitigation of carbon resulting from energy use in the built environment by providing this roadmap to further our...

MALE, MALDIVES—Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort is playing a key role in gathering and sharing information on whale sharks, manta rays and sea turtles with conservation groups in the Maldives. The tracking and reporting process, led by the resort’s marine biologist, Lynn Jula Kessler, shows that populations of whale sharks and manta rays in the South Ari Atoll around Outrigger Maldives are stable or doing well. However, there is more concern about critically endangered sea turtles, which often get ensnared in fishing nets traveling between their nesting grounds in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. On whale sharks, Outrigger Maldives is cooperating with...

MADRID, SPAIN—Palladium Hotel Group continues to reinforce its firm commitment to sustainability with a structured approach to three fundamental areas: the environment, the circular economy and the social sphere. The hotel group, which is present in six countries around the world, has announced new advances in all its hotels globally, including: advocating renewable energies, the reduction of plastics, and a focus on working and supporting local producers. Responsible Use of Energy Regarding energy management, Palladium Hotel Group has been committed to the responsible use of resources and the reduction of its environmental impact. In Spain, 100 percent of the energy consumed in all...

KINGSTON, JAMAICA—The Tourism Enhancement (TEF) has invested approximately $6.9 million in this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day initiative, which is spearheaded locally by the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET). Speaking at the launch of the event on August 19, in Port Royal, Jamaica, TEF’s Executive Director, Dr. Carey Wallace, stated that the partnership with JET not only improves the island's tourism product but also encourages a behavioral change in the people that is required to combat pollution in the long run. “The assets of Jamaica, from a tourism perspective, its natural beauty and, obviously, it makes sense for us to invest...

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND—The company Climeworks has been awarded with the Innovation Award by Busch Vacuum Solutions for its advanced use of vacuum technology. Climeworks is the first company to use Direct Air Capture technology to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In this way, the company is actively making an important contribution to reducing global warming. In these unique plants, MINK claw vacuum technology from Busch is used to filter CO₂. Busch presents the Innovation in Vacuum Busch Award once a year. This award honors individuals or companies that make use of vacuum technology with particularly innovative ideas and thereby serve...

DALTON, GA.—Shaw Industries Group, Inc. announced that Vice President of Global Sustainability and Innovation Kellie Ballew has been named a finalist for the Reuters Events Responsible Business Awards 2022 in the Sustainability Trailblazer category. The award will go to an outstanding business leader that has demonstrated inspiring, motivational, and passionate leadership to their team, company, or sector, and has a clear commitment to long-term impacts. Ballew has ample examples of driving innovation, manufacturing excellence and collaboration throughout her 25-year career at Shaw. Sentiments shared by Shaw President & CEO Tim Baucom highlight the impact of her strategic influence within Shaw...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Vinyl Sustainability Council (VSC), a self-funded business council advancing sustainability in the vinyl industry, has welcomed CFL Flooring as the newest member of the council. VSC membership is reserved for organizations taking a leadership role to advance sustainability throughout the vinyl industry. “We’re pleased to add CFL Flooring to our list of more than 55 members demonstrating a commitment to sustainability efforts in their business practices,” said Jay Thomas, VSC Executive Director. “Collaborating with CFL Flooring in these efforts helps advance the impact of sustainable flooring products and continue to add value for consumers.” CFL Flooring is the largest manufacturer of...

Many hotels and convention centers now offer the opportunity to offset the carbon impact of one’s visit. The Hawaii Convention Center is one such place and I would like to highlight it this week because of its outstanding offsetting work. In case you did not catch the news, last month the Center launched its program that provides offset opportunities for all meetings and events. As part of the program, individual attendees can select and plant endemic and native trees virtually or in-person. Through Google Earth, one can even follow the tree’s growth progress. These efforts are part of the Center’s...

NEW ORLEANS—The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has earned two major awards from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality for major and impactful initiatives aimed at reducing the facility’s environmental footprint. The Environmental Leadership Program Awards, given to the Center in the Community Environmental Outreach category, as well as the Energy and Water Pollution Reduction category, recognize outstanding activities and projects that demonstrate environmental leadership and the pursuit of a cleaner, safer environment. New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center representatives were recognized for their efforts at the Environmental Leadership Program Awards earlier this year in Baton Rouge. To be considered for...

VANCOUVER, B.C.—Coast Hotels Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of APA Hotel Canada, Inc. and one of North America’s fastest growing and one of Canada’s largest hotel brands, has joined UNESCO and Expedia Group in the global expansion of the UNESCO Sustainable Travel Pledge. The brand and eight owned/managed hotels commit to adhering to responsible environmental and cultural practices, making a difference to the communities in which they operate. The UNESCO Pledge promotes responsible practices such as environmental protection, community resilience and heritage conservation, with the goal of changing the nature and impact of global tourism. With 22 hotels already certified...