Earlier this year in April, as reported here on Green Lodging News, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) launched its Hotel Sustainability Basics. “Developed by the industry for the industry, it highlights 12 actions which are fundamental to hotel sustainability and will help raise the base level of sustainability across the entire hospitality industry by providing every hotel a starting point on their sustainability journey,” the WTTC announcement said. Of the 12 criteria, hotels need to comply with eight initially, while the others can be committed to and put in place within three years. Reuters just reported that more...

JACKSON HOLE, WYO.—Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, in partnership with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris and Yellowstone Safari Co., will offer an immersive experience this fall with the chance to see the elusive gray wolf population of Yellowstone National Park in a day-long excursion. “The opportunity to engage with the Yellowstone gray wolf population in its natural habitat is a milestone experience not soon forgotten,” says General Manager Ryan Grande. “This new program allows our guests to better understand the complexity of our unique ecosystem and come away with a vested interest in preserving this environment—and diverse array of native...

KOHLER, WIS.—Fast Company announced its fourth annual Best Workplaces for Innovators list, honoring organizations and businesses that demonstrate a steadfast commitment to encouraging innovation at all levels. Kohler Co. is listed No.10 on the 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators list, named the winner of Fast Company’s 2022 Best Workplaces for Innovators Sustainability list and a finalist on the Large Companies list. Initiatives that secured Kohler’s high rankings are rooted in the company’s Believing in Better operating philosophy that strives to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations through design, craftsmanship, and innovation. The company’s cultural belief in Boldly Innovating encourages...

CHICAGO—Sphera, a leading global provider of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance and risk management software, data and consulting services, has been named a leader in the carbon management software market by Verdantix, an independent analyst firm, in its newest Green Quadrant report. The Green Quadrant Carbon Management Software report aims to help organizations better understand the market evolution of the carbon management software ecosystem by taking a deep dive into the current software platform offerings. The benchmark report, based on the proprietary Verdantix Green Quadrant methodology, assessed 17 capability and 10 market momentum categories. The analysis was also based on...

SAN DIEGO—The Global Business Travel Assn. is fully embracing its mission to help the business travel industry create a positive impact and a better future for people and the planet at its upcoming GBTA Convention 2022, August 14 to17, at the San Diego Convention Center. During the event, GBTA will unveil its first-ever Sustainability Pavilion as well as a new Sustainability Toolkit delivering insights, tools, and best practices to empower industry professionals to create sustainable business travel programs for their companies and the travelers they serve. Additionally, the Convention itself will be “going greener.” Onsite efforts include reducing waste and facilitating recycling and...

IRVING, TEXAS—Kimberly-Clark Corp. published its annual report on sustainability, including an update on the company’s progress toward its 2030 sustainability strategy and goals, aimed at addressing the social and environmental challenges of the next decade with goals to improve the lives and well-being of 1 billion people in underserved communities around the world and reducing its environmental footprint. “As Kimberly-Clark continues to grow our business, caring for our people, consumers, customers, partners and communities remains front and center,” said Mike Hsu, Chairman and CEO, Kimberly-Clark. “From our commitment to climate stewardship and our efforts to develop more sustainable solutions for...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council announced nearly 100 net zero certifications earned under the LEED Zero program, representing more than 23 million square feet of space. One-fourth of LEED Zero projects earned multiple certifications, demonstrating achievement of net zero goals in several categories. A complement to LEED certification, LEED Zero provides a clear, data-driven path to recognizing net-zero goals and signals market leadership in the built environment. In 2018, the first year LEED Zero was released, certifications were earned in every category, with one project earning certification in all four categories. “Operating our buildings at net zero, combined with a...

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK—Scandic has opened Scandic Nørreport, a boutique hotel located in central Copenhagen, providing guests with a new type of hotel experience featuring 100 stylish rooms and a rooftop bar overlooking the city. Scandic Nørreport will also be the first Danish hotel to be certified according to the Nordic Swan Ecolabel’s new, stricter requirements. Located next to Nørreport Station and Kongens Have, Scandic Nørreport is Scandic’s ninth hotel in downtown Copenhagen and 29th hotel in Denmark. The hotel has been designed with a focus on providing an ultra-comfortable stay in the heart of the city and features a rooftop bar with spectacular...

SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, MEXICO—AMATTE Wellnest Community is the newest lodging proposal in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. With a design that incorporates the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, or acceptance of imperfections, each of the spaces in this “nest” was created with how guests will experience it in mind, from the timeless beauty of its architecture to daring corners that fill common areas with sensuality and the comfortable guestrooms. The purpose of the property is to transmit a state of well-being to guests from the moment of their arrival. The facilities have an intrinsic sense of sustainability, being built under the...

SINGAPORE—Trip.com Group, a leading global travel service provider, has announced its long-term goal to build green tourism, covering three key areas, including: working with partners to launch over 10,000 low-carbon travel products; promoting sustainable travel concepts and engaging 100 million travelers in low-carbon practices; and aiming to further reduce carbon emissions across its own operations. Trip.com Group aims to launch over 10,000 eco-friendly travel products, with several initiatives already underway in the Group’s long-term plan. Trip.com and Skyscanner, sub-brands of Trip.com Group, have partnered with CHOOOSE, a company dedicated to offsetting the CO2 emissions for flights by supporting impactful climate solutions worldwide...