Green Key partner Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced its progress to date on its 30/20 by 20 environmental goals. Green Key is happy to assist Starwood in achieving these goals.

Le Meridien Piccadilly, London. Green key awarded since 2012

The global hotel company says it has reduced energy use by 12.08%, carbon emissions by 16.07% and water use by 17.26% across all its owned, managed and franchised properties from 2008 through 2014.

Starwood’s environmental goals were launched in 2009 and pledge to cut energy use by 30% and water use by 20% by 2020 globally. In 2013 the company added a goal to reduce carbon emissions by 30% during the same timeframe.

Making the announcement Ken Siegel, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Head of Global Citizenship at Starwood said, “We’re pleased with the progress and are encouraged by the reductions we made while maintaining an aggressive global growth strategy. Our 30/20 by 20 goals challenge us to create short and long-term programs and partnerships that protect the environment, reduce operating costs, enhance the guest experience and make sustainable upgrades possible for properties.”

Starwood are using tools like the HCMI to measure and reduce their carbon emissions, as well as working with properties, to apply low-cost initiatives like switching to high-efficiency LED lighting and low-flow bathroom fixtures and taps as well as capital improvements that include improving or replacing various mechanical systems. In most properties, operational initiatives account for around one-third of the progress towards 30/20 by 20 goals and are projected to save US$1 billion across the company’s portfolio in less than 10 years. Capital improvements and partnerships that bring innovative, renewable, and efficient technologies like solar power, help reinforce the remaining reductions to-date.

The full article can be read here.