Hilton Reduces Energy by 15% in Europe

Hilton Basel was one of the best performing properties

Hilton Hotels has revealed that it has reduced energy by over 15 per cent in its continental Europe hotels over the past three years. Water consumption also fell by the equivalent to 280 Olympic sized swimming pools, which would supply the entire population of Luxembourg for five days.
 
Hilton made these  reductions as a result of three-year environmental sustainability initiative launched in January 2006 in over 80 hotels across continental Europe. The programme was established to encourage hotels and team members to introduce initiatives and best practices.
 Over the past three years Hilton has managed to reduce its CO2 emissions per guest night by nearly eight per cent, avoiding a total of 28,600 tonnes of CO2 being emitted by its hotels, equivalent to removing 8,600 cars off the road.
 
In addition to the reduction in energy and water consumption, the company has also revealed that the programme saved more than US$16 million in three years – proving that ‘being green’ is also smart for business.
 
Simon Vincent, Area President Hilton Hotels – Europe commented: “We made a commitment back in 2006 to think green, take action and responsibility to switch to more environmentally sustainable methods of working – today’s results speak for themselves and highlight the success we have had in reducing the impact of our hotels on the environment in which they operate. With HHC’s global sustainability programme now in place, the progress we have made in Europe really showcases the steps we are taking as a company. I am very proud of all our team members for the crucial role they are playing in this”.
 
Hilton has recognised individual hotels for their exceptional energy performances in 2008. Hilton Vienna Danube, Hilton Brussels, Hilton Paris Arc de Triomphe and Hilton Basel were crowned as the best performing properties for improving energy and water efficiency. The company also recognised Hilton Cyprus, Hilton Munich City and Hilton Tel Aviv as runners up in recognition of their efforts over the past three years of the programme. As the best performing properties, over 1000 team members at these hotels will now each receive an energy efficient mountain bike.
 
Andrew Forte, Hilton’s Director of Energy Management & Sustainability explained: “This has only been made possible through the tremendous efforts of our team members who continue to show their eagerness for change and must be congratulated on the way in which they are helping to make a difference. We have now come to the end of the three-year programme and, whilst we have achieved the targets we set out to achieve, this is only the start. Our focus is now on building on our success and working towards our new global sustainability goals as we continue to make a difference in the most significant challenge facing the world today”.
 
In 2008 Hilton Hotels Corporation launched a new global sustainability programme across all Hilton family of Hotels.  By 2014 this initiative aims to reduce energy consumption from direct operations by 20%, CO2 emissions by 20%, output of waste by 20% and water consumption by 10%. The global programme will build on many of the successful and innovative European initiatives, sharing best practices between different areas around the world.

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