The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte will open this October, becoming the first Ritz-Carlton “green” property.  This will be the first environmentally built hotel for greater Charlotte as well, having 146 rooms.  It has been designed to attain LEED Gold certification in new construction once it opens, as well as existing building certification one year after opening.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a building rating system developed by the United States Green Building Council and is designed to rate green building in multiple categories.  The Charlotte Hotel has incorporated many green functions, from a green vegetated roof to employee uniforms that are derived from materials in recycled plastic bottles.

The highlighted features of The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte’s eco-conscious efforts are their use of a Natura water purification system.  This will in essence mean 73,000 less plastic bottles in landfills, savings on 104 barrels of oil, and the elimination of almost 49 tons of CO2 emissions.  Among other environmentally friendly features the hotel has implemented a state-of-the-art air transfer system which means that outside air will be efficiently circulated through guest rooms and suites.  For guests who drive Hybrid vehicles, complimentary parking will be offered.

Guests will enjoy being educated about the green features of The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte by members of the hotel’s Education Center for Sustainable Practices.  This first of its kind hotel for Charlotte is located seven miles from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and is within a short walking distance of some of the best businesses, music and attractions.

The World Business Summit on Climate Change in Copenhagen, which was held May 24 - 26, is where global business leaders gathered together for the presentation by the World Economic Forum about responding to climate change.

The report ‘Towards a Low Carbon Travel and Tourism Sector’ represents a collaboration between the World Economic Forum, UNWTO, UNEP, the International Civil Aviation Organization and Tourism and Travel business leaders.  Efforts are being made to lessen greenhouse gas emission in varying areas of the travel industry, such as transport and accommodation.

The study also includes innovative methods that may be used to finance and transform towards a green economy and believes public-private partnerships may be a solution.  The crucial issue discussed in the study is how to efficiently shift toward a low carbon lifestyle that can be sustained.  According to Geoffrey Limpan, UNWTO Assistant Secretary, the study is meant to draw attention to the travel and tourism industries in regards to climate changes and lessening carbon emissions.

The study points out that collectively, consumers, industry stakeholders and governments can improve the low carbon sustainability of travel.  This will enable continued growth of the sector and sustain the economic development of nations.

The need to continually address climate change and poverty along with the economic crisis was also discussed in the report.

Aruba Bucuti Beach Resort owner Ewald Biemans has built up his accommodation to be environmentally friendly over the last quarter century, and he has a few pointers that will help travelers who are interested in “green” concepts to choose hotels and resorts that are eco-minded.

Good staff training is essential for the hotel industry if they want to call themselves green.  When choosing accommodations, look around to see if the staff and guides, as well as gift shops, demonstrate in any way that they are committed to helping the community.  If the hotel or resort employs locals and stocks items in their gift stores that are native to the area, it is a good sign that the facility is eco-minded.

When traveling, go for facilities that encourage their guests to do their part in helping protect the environment.  Upon arriving at your destination, check with the hotel to see if they harness renewable energy and/or participate in the reduction of waste.

Many in the hotel and resort information brand themselves as being environmentally friendly, but not all are truly dedicated to being green.  A little research can help you be certain that the choice you make is really “green”, and not just greenwashed.

It seems that when we are traveling, our good intentions to be eco-conscious slip a bit.  While at home, many of us try to conserve energy by recycling glass and plastic, raising the thermostat in warm weather, etc.  Not so much when traveling, it appears.

According to the Eco-Travel Index, which is an annual index of green travel habits among those who travel often, here are some interesting findings:

1.  Nearly half of frequent travelers claim they recycle glass and plastic when at home.  When traveling, this number decreases to 36%.

2.  When it comes to traveling, water consumption doesn’t appear to be as important.  While 34% claim to limit water at home by taking shorter showers and watering the lawn less, only 20% limit consumption while traveling.

3.  While most people use sheets and towels at home for several days, they are more likely to change daily when staying in a hotel.

While these results may be surprising, it is good to know that some people continue their efforts to improve the environment even when not at home.

At one time, the thoughts of staying at a hotel implementing “green” practices conjured up thoughts of toilet paper with the texture of sandpaper.  As more and more businesses are going “green”, this term no longer equates to lower quality or sacrifices.

Now, it seems that vacationers are starting to realize that “green” practices used by many hotels can actually improve their health!  How can that be?  Here is a recent article from Heavenly Bed HR Management:

a “green” guest room can help reduce the stresses that typically accompany us on business trips.  Natural cleaning products, non-toxic materials and equipment designed to generate an abundant supply of fresh air create better air quality, resulting in fewer allergies and a good night’s sleep.

In times past, the practice of going “green” with a hotel included increased expenses.  Now, those times are receding and the costs associated with going “green” are more in line with the traditional marketplace.  The word “green” practically drips of savings now in the vocabularies or green hotel operations.

Conserve.  Reduce.  Buy Local.  Serve in Bulk.

Consider some of these things for a moment.  Light bulbs that conserve energy mean you pay for less energy.  Water-saving fixtures in hotel bathrooms mean that charges included in room rates for water will be reduced.

Guests can now stay at environmentally friendly hotels that may make them healthy AND a little more wealthy, without sacrificing quality and comfort.

Big hotel chains that were once deemed wasteful are now battling it out to see who can outsmart the other when it comes to going green.  In a recent survey of U.S. hotels, 68% said they now have energy-efficient lights, and many are now re-using towels and linens.

Properties are trying to become LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), and this label may be earned by more than 500 hotels soon. As recently as four years ago, only 1 hotel had earned this label.

Some of the measures that hotels are taking in their efforts to save energy include:

Replacing light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs

Placing sensors in rooms that cause the thermostat to readjust when a guest leaves

Conserving water by repairing all drips and leaks in hotel bathrooms

Replacing toilets, showerheads and faucets with water-saving fixtures.  This has already been implemented in the Hilton brands facilities in Europe.  This change is being made in several hotel chains, including the Hyatt, Marriott and Starwood.  Starwood also proposes to have water-efficient landscaping.

Recycling is also a big trend with major hotels.  Some are using recycled wood for laminate flooring, while others claim that no can, bottle or plastic key card will go to waste.  Marriott has eliminated styrofoam and plastic utensils from all locations.

Indeed, the lodging world is looking very green!

‘Get Water Smart’ is the title of an initiative being taken by the Black Mountain Golf and Country Club in suburban Vegas.  This ingenious plan will reduce water usage without interfering with your golf game.  While the smooth surface does nothing to combat the heat, it is wonderful for those implementing ‘greener’ ways to do things.

Drought resistant foliage has been placed among the sandy gravel.  While there is no deep, lush grass along the sides of the fairway, golfers aren’t complaining.  This sometimes allows golf balls to bounce or roll back on to the fairway, instead of getting stuck in the deep grass most golf courses have.

While you won’t find much lush dense foliage at Black Mountain, you will find areas of groomed desert scrub.  The ‘Get Water Smart’ idea is to reduce irrigation and eliminate unnecessary grass, which helps return the environment to a desert landscape that is sustainable without the use of excess water.

Although there are new problems to contend with such as weed infestation from the old root system, eventually the project will reduce costs and waste.  Less grass to mow and reduced upkeep, along with lower water usage mean a greener environment.

For the golfer, the changes do take a little getting used to, but overall the ‘Get Water Smart’ initiative has been well received.

Bardessono is Napa Valley wine country’s brand new hotel, spa and restaurant.  This is believed to be the greenest hotel currently in America, flanked by many geothermal wells and constructed of walnut, cypress and redwood salvaged from wine tanks and orchards.

At Bardessono, every day is Earth Day.  Before opening, contractors recycled 93% of all construction waste.  This charming hotel located in the tiny town of Yountville fills 50% of its electricity need from a 200-kilowatt photovoltaic solar system concealed on the flat roofs of the hotel.

Siding, ceiling beams, furniture and even flooring have been constructed from salvaged wood from local sources.  Monterey Cypress, Walnut, Eucalyptus, Redwood and California Bay Laurel trees were used for this purpose, with Tuffa stone salvaged from the Bardessono’s family home adorning dining and reception areas, as well as the hotel’s entry way.

The creation of the Bardessono proves that deep green living is a very pleasurable experience indeed.  Rooftop swimming, indoor natural light and private courtyards make this a relaxing, enjoyable experience for anyone, especially those who are dedicated to green living.  Even the towels, bed linens and robes are green, made of locally sourced organic cotton.  Bardessono is a destination everyone should have on the calendar!

In a Corporate Responsibility report, available here, the Walt Disney Company has announced long- and near-term environmental goals for its extensive network of theme parks, media outlets, resorts, studios, consumer products, and cruise and travel tours.

The report, released March 9, identifies seven long-term environmental goals:

• Zero waste.
• Zero net direct greenhouse gas emissions from fuels.
• Reduce indirect greenhouse gas emissions from electricity consumption.
• Net positive impact on ecosystems.
• Minimize water use.
• Minimize product footprint.
• Inform, empower and activate positive action for the environment.

Near-term goals (next 3-5 years) include:

• Cutting direct emissions from fuels in half by 2012 through reductions, efficiencies and offsets. The report said direct GHG emissions from fuel combustion and refrigerant leaks amounted to 566,042 metric tons CO2eq in 2006.
• Reducing energy consumption by 10 percent by 2013 compared to a 2006 baseline, which the report placed at 2,006 million kilowatt hours.
• Decreasing the solid waste sent to landfill by 50 percent by 2013 compared to a 2006 baseline level. The company’s parks and resorts segment, for example, generated 298,000 tons of solid waste in 2006, diverted 128,000 tons of it and sent 170,000 tons to landfill, the report said.
•Increasing the percentage of purchases that include post-consumer recycled material by 2013.
• Developing and implementing an integrated approach by 2010 to design, engineering and habitat protection for all new construction projects.
• Increasing the level of support from the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund each year for the next five years. The fund contributed more than $1.8 million to 72 nonprofits for 104 projects in 43 countries in 2008.

For 2009, Disney said it will focus on:

• A comprehensive water conservation strategy.
• A corporate-wide green energy strategy.
• A comprehensive waste minimization strategy.

RockResorts, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vail Resorts, with nine premier meeting resorts from Vail, Colorado to St. Lucia, has announced a more formal green meetings program. RockResorts offers, among other green options, e-brochures, paperless check in, and organic cuisine from local suppliers to help meeting planners who want to support environment-friendly events.

RockResorts even has a carbon calculator on their website, so that meeting planners can see the total environmental impact their meetings will have, including travel, lodging, and resources used for the event itself.

Green service standards include the basics such as recycling and waste reduction programs, procuring organic food and beverage and other sustainable locally where possible, and use of energy and water conservation fixtures and practices at the meeting facilities. Service staff at each resort is available to assist the meeting planner with meeting-specific conservation efforts, including sustainable decorations and transportation, reusable signage, and the use of low-impact marketing documents.

Julie Klein, director of environmental affairs for RockResorts, said “There are so many opportunities with an event or meeting where the overall experience can be enhanced by choosing environmental features, while also saving the event planner and meeting attendees money and time. To ensure meeting planners are aware of possibilities, we are here to offer assistance by creating service standards and options that allow them to know their event is having less of an impact than if they hosted it elsewhere.”

RockResorts’ Appetite for Life program promotes sustainable cuisine where possible, and is a part of all of RockResorts’ restaurants and catering operations. The program encourages use of organic and natural meat, sustainable seafood, seasonal produce, and organic wine and beverages, all obtained from local suppliers where possible.