Hilton gains sustainability standard
Tuesday, 18 Nov, 2009
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Hilton in the UK claims to have become the first hotel company to be awarded a Carbon Trust Standard after taking action on climate change by measuring and reducing its carbon footprint.
The award requires an organisation to measure, manage and reduce its carbon footprint, and make real reductions year-on-year.
Organisations are rewarded for actions they’ve taken to cut carbon across their operations.
The company, which has more than 80 hotels in the UK, has worked in partnership with the Carbon Trust since 2005 to develop and implement an ongoing carbon management programme.
Hilton has implemented energy efficiency measures across its hotels including installing CHP units to generate onsite electricity, introducing a sustainability reporting system, upgrading lighting systems, introducing voltage optimisation on main electrical switchgear, carrying out regular audits on thermal insulation systems and optimisation of building management systems to ensure all equipment is running at the highest efficiencies possible.
The group encourages staff to help save energy by identifying ‘energy champions’ in each hotel and offering green incentives.
All hotels are participating in an energy league table with mountain bikes being awarded to the winning property.
Hilton’s goal is to reduce its carbon emissions by 20% by 2014 as part of the company’s global sustainability targets.
With the Government’s Carbon Reduction Commitment just around the corner, the company believes the Standard accreditation will help it maximise the benefits of the new legislation, and gain a competitive advantage over other businesses in the hospitality sector
The CRC will place UK businesses in a carbon league table, which will result in financial rewards for high performers and financial penalties for those who fail to reduce their energy consumption.
European area vice-president Simon Vincent said: “With the CRC legislation coming into force early next year, it’s essential that we remain competitive and cater for customers who are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious – the Standard will help communicate our sustainability credentials to those that matter.
“We have already cut our carbon emissions by 15% since 2005 as part of the initiative and are committed to making further reductions in the future.”
Carbon Trust chief executive Tom Delay said: “By implementing a carbon management programme, most hospitality businesses can save up to 20% on their annual energy bill.
“At a time when businesses in the hospitality sector are keen to cut costs without compromising the customer experience, cutting carbon is the obvious answer.”
Harry Morrison, general manager of the Carbon Trust Standard, added: “Being certified with the Carbon Trust Standard is proof that Hilton is achieving real carbon reduction year-on-year without the use of offsetting.
“Reducing its carbon emissions will ultimately make the business more efficient while the Standard itself is a credible mark of excellence that lets customers and other businesses know about the good work that Hilton is doing to reduce its environmental impact.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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