Hong Kong – Langham Hotels International has forged a partnership with EarthCheck; the world\'s largest certifier of sustainable travel and tourism operators. The deal will result in all Langham and Eaton properties upgrading to EarthCheck so that they align with international standards of best practice.
The companies are no strangers to one another as The Langham, Auckland first certified using EarthCheck science, back in February 2008. Since then, it has held the prestigious EarthCheck Silver Certification for two years running, while Eaton Hotel Kong Hong and Langham Place Mongkok, Hong Kong are pending Silver Certification Audits later this month.
Langham recently decided that all its properties will now benchmark with EarthCheck and aim for a minimum certification level of Silver. This is in direct response to the need to address major environmental challenges such as climate change, waste reduction and non-renewable resource management.
“Environmental advocates and stakeholders are calling on companies to demonstrate the role they must play in climate change mitigation and policy development,” explains John Dick, Vice President – Eaton Hotels International and the group environmental champion for both Langham and Eaton hotels. “This is reflected in the number of companies that are reporting on their policies and engagement efforts in response to new regulations including the Green House Gas (GHG) Protocols.”
The EarthCheck Approach
EarthCheck’s science-based approach is considered at the forefront of sustainability management systems. It should be, when you consider it was developed by the world’s largest not-for-profit research centre into sustainable tourism – the Australian Government-funded Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre.
The Program also leverages some $260 million worth of academic research and contains more than a decade of industry benchmarking data. More than a thousand operators already use EarthCheck, and which provides them with a framework to increase operational efficiencies, maximise the benefit of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and minimise environmental impacts.
There’s a growing awareness within the travel and tourism industry that for a certification scheme to actually mean anything, it must:
• Include standardised scientific reporting that is consistent and comparable across country and sector;
• Minimise financial and reporting burdens by using one centralised ICT reporting platform;
• Harmonise information collection to a common metric; and
• Create baselines of ‘high environmental integrity’ to enable responsible forward planning.
The EarthCheck scientific benchmarking system and certification programs are based on all of these requirements and this ensures Langham and Eaton properties will remain at the forefront of sustainability.
For Langham, brand recognition and credibility in market are also important.
“As the sustainability movement has evolved, so have the number of misleading environmental claims and operators who are misusing industry-developed labels to influence consumer behaviour,” states John Dick. “Schemes that can be accused of this include those with no common benchmarking criteria, no year-on-year performance expectations, no scientific reporting or international standards, and no 3rd party verification.”
Langham Hotels Across the Globe Align with EarthCheck
Langham’s alignment with EarthCheck provides the company with a means to reduce operational overheads without compromising the guest experience. Where some “green” labels espouse the marketing benefits of displaying yet another badge, EarthCheck remains focussed on quantitative reporting and risk evaluation, whilst identifying areas for operational savings.
The global luxury hospitality group has arguably become one of the best examples of how sustainability policies can be practically and consistently applied across a multi-national business. Typical savings are in the region of 25 per cent, with levels of savings varying between each property according to its operational footprint.
Langham has opted for a companywide strategy to ensure a consistent approach is applied across the group and help them identify key milestones. To date, some of their best practice ratings include; The Langham, Melbourne who benchmarked 56.1% better than Best Practice Level for Potable Water Consumption; The Langham, Auckland who came in 33.8% better than the Best Practice Level for Potable Water Consumption and 22.2% better than the Baseline level for Waste Sent to Landfill.
Showing posts with label certification. Show all posts
Showing posts with label certification. Show all posts
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Caribbean’s Largest Hotelier Partners with EarthCheck
Sandals Resorts International (SRI), parent company of Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts, Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts and The Royal Plantation Collection, recently unveiled an exclusive partnership with EarthCheck, the world's largest certifier of sustainable travel and tourism operators. Through the partnership, all Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts properties in Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia, Turks & Caicos and the Bahamas, will upgrade to the EarthCheck Program for sustainability certification.
“Sandals Resorts International has a long-standing history of implementing environmentally-friendly practices throughout its properties. It was important to align with a certification company whose passion for protecting the Caribbean’s unique and delicate eco-system matched our own,” explained Richard May, Group Director of Environmental Affairs. “We are pleased to have found that partner in Earthcheck.”
The partnership further adds yet another level to SRI’s commitment to sustainable tourism. In 1998, Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa was the very first all-inclusive resort to earn the Green Globe Certification. Sandals Resorts successfully modified its water systems and energy requirements, adjusted its waste management program and bolstered its already-strong social involvements within the community to earn the important certification.
Within three years, the remaining 13 Sandals Resorts and four Beaches Resorts all earned the venerable award. In 2008, Sandals Negril achieved the highest possible level of certification (Platinum), becoming the first and only hotel in the world to do so. Since implementing sustainability practices, average resource savings achieved by SRI amount to 40 percent (water), 55 to 60 percent (waste) and 40 percent (energy).
The announcement of the partnership arrives in tandem with the one-year anniversary of the The Sandals Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International. The Foundation represents nearly three decades of corporate philanthropy focused on action-based sustainable development in areas of education, environment and community.
SRI employees are also encouraged to act in accordance with sustainability policies. Employees receive daily reminders in shift meetings, training courses and environmental awareness sessions. Notice boards and competitions also play a significant role in the changing of attitudes and along with field trips and monthly awards, helps to maintain exposure.
But is the company’s commitment to sustainable practices making any impact upon consumer behavior? Again, Richard May comments; “Many hotels operate in the Caribbean, but we are the Caribbean, fiercely protecting the islands we call home. Over the years, our guests have taken notice. Current programs that allow guests to engage in clean-up activities or community work actually resulted from an increased demand from our guests. These experiences have prompted guests to return year after year with suitcases filled with toys, books and medical supplies for donation to area schools and hospitals.”
“Many of our suppliers and business partners have also developed internal sustainability and environmental policies as a result of our requests for change,” explains May. “They have adopted environmentally enhanced operating processes and those suppliers who have shown an extended resistance to change or fail to consider this new approach are no longer on our list as preferred suppliers.”
With the protection of the environment an important cause for many, SRI has also seen many conference organizers and planners place an increased emphasis on eco-friendly practices. Some – such as Nestle – will no longer book events with conference venues that cannot supply sustainability policies and assist them in staging carbon proceedings.
EarthCheck science has provided SRI with the framework for sustainable operations and the company focuses on expanding its programs to the proverbial next level via the reaches of The Sandals Foundation with its focus on education, environment, and community.
In this manner, SRI is creating a positive ripple upon host communities in the hope that by influencing future generations at a formative stage in their lives, the habits and cultural norms they adopt will imbed sustainability in their very DNA.
EDITOR'S NOTES
Sandals Resorts has earned a worldwide reputation for providing two people in love with the most romantic vacation experience in the Caribbean. Currently, there are 14 Luxury Included® Sandals Resorts located in Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia and The Bahamas. Each offers stunning beachfront locations; a choice of à la carte restaurants, from white-glove dining to barefoot elegance; all premium brand wine and spirits, including an exclusive partnership with California's legendary Beringer Vineyards; luxurious accommodations in a range of categories; unrivalled watersports including the Caribbean's largest PADI certification program; Butler Service for truly indulgent pampering; Sandals Weddings by Martha StewartTM; and signature Red Lane® Spas, with services and treatments inspired by the region. In February 2010, Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas made its debut, offering 183 all-butler service rooms and suites, an 18-hole championship Greg Norman-designed golf course and 150 slip marina.
Sandals Resorts has set the industry standard for the Luxury Included® vacation and has been voted the Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand at the World Travel Awards for 16 years in a row, and World's Leading All-Inclusive Company for 14 years in a row. For more information, call your local travel agent or 1-800-Sandals (1-800-726-3257) or visit www.sandals.com
EC3 Global is the world's largest certifier of sustainable travel and tourism operators. With more than 1000 clients in over 60 countries, the company’s EarthCheck Program responds directly to the major environmental problems facing the planet, including climate change, waste reduction and non-renewable resource management. It provides benchmarking, certification and performance improvement systems that result in average savings of 30 per cent for energy and waste stream, and 20 per cent savings for water consumption. Go to www.earthcheck.org or www.ec3global.com
For further information please contact:
EarthCheck
Chantal Dunbar
EC3 Global Communications Manager
P: +61 401 058 159
E: chantal.dunbar@ec3global.com
W: www.earthcheck.org
Source: http://www.prlog.org/10598931-caribbeans-largest-hotelier-partners-with-earthcheck.html
“Sandals Resorts International has a long-standing history of implementing environmentally-friendly practices throughout its properties. It was important to align with a certification company whose passion for protecting the Caribbean’s unique and delicate eco-system matched our own,” explained Richard May, Group Director of Environmental Affairs. “We are pleased to have found that partner in Earthcheck.”
The partnership further adds yet another level to SRI’s commitment to sustainable tourism. In 1998, Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa was the very first all-inclusive resort to earn the Green Globe Certification. Sandals Resorts successfully modified its water systems and energy requirements, adjusted its waste management program and bolstered its already-strong social involvements within the community to earn the important certification.
Within three years, the remaining 13 Sandals Resorts and four Beaches Resorts all earned the venerable award. In 2008, Sandals Negril achieved the highest possible level of certification (Platinum), becoming the first and only hotel in the world to do so. Since implementing sustainability practices, average resource savings achieved by SRI amount to 40 percent (water), 55 to 60 percent (waste) and 40 percent (energy).
The announcement of the partnership arrives in tandem with the one-year anniversary of the The Sandals Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International. The Foundation represents nearly three decades of corporate philanthropy focused on action-based sustainable development in areas of education, environment and community.
SRI employees are also encouraged to act in accordance with sustainability policies. Employees receive daily reminders in shift meetings, training courses and environmental awareness sessions. Notice boards and competitions also play a significant role in the changing of attitudes and along with field trips and monthly awards, helps to maintain exposure.
But is the company’s commitment to sustainable practices making any impact upon consumer behavior? Again, Richard May comments; “Many hotels operate in the Caribbean, but we are the Caribbean, fiercely protecting the islands we call home. Over the years, our guests have taken notice. Current programs that allow guests to engage in clean-up activities or community work actually resulted from an increased demand from our guests. These experiences have prompted guests to return year after year with suitcases filled with toys, books and medical supplies for donation to area schools and hospitals.”
“Many of our suppliers and business partners have also developed internal sustainability and environmental policies as a result of our requests for change,” explains May. “They have adopted environmentally enhanced operating processes and those suppliers who have shown an extended resistance to change or fail to consider this new approach are no longer on our list as preferred suppliers.”
With the protection of the environment an important cause for many, SRI has also seen many conference organizers and planners place an increased emphasis on eco-friendly practices. Some – such as Nestle – will no longer book events with conference venues that cannot supply sustainability policies and assist them in staging carbon proceedings.
EarthCheck science has provided SRI with the framework for sustainable operations and the company focuses on expanding its programs to the proverbial next level via the reaches of The Sandals Foundation with its focus on education, environment, and community.
In this manner, SRI is creating a positive ripple upon host communities in the hope that by influencing future generations at a formative stage in their lives, the habits and cultural norms they adopt will imbed sustainability in their very DNA.
EDITOR'S NOTES
Sandals Resorts has earned a worldwide reputation for providing two people in love with the most romantic vacation experience in the Caribbean. Currently, there are 14 Luxury Included® Sandals Resorts located in Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia and The Bahamas. Each offers stunning beachfront locations; a choice of à la carte restaurants, from white-glove dining to barefoot elegance; all premium brand wine and spirits, including an exclusive partnership with California's legendary Beringer Vineyards; luxurious accommodations in a range of categories; unrivalled watersports including the Caribbean's largest PADI certification program; Butler Service for truly indulgent pampering; Sandals Weddings by Martha StewartTM; and signature Red Lane® Spas, with services and treatments inspired by the region. In February 2010, Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas made its debut, offering 183 all-butler service rooms and suites, an 18-hole championship Greg Norman-designed golf course and 150 slip marina.
Sandals Resorts has set the industry standard for the Luxury Included® vacation and has been voted the Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand at the World Travel Awards for 16 years in a row, and World's Leading All-Inclusive Company for 14 years in a row. For more information, call your local travel agent or 1-800-Sandals (1-800-726-3257) or visit www.sandals.com
EC3 Global is the world's largest certifier of sustainable travel and tourism operators. With more than 1000 clients in over 60 countries, the company’s EarthCheck Program responds directly to the major environmental problems facing the planet, including climate change, waste reduction and non-renewable resource management. It provides benchmarking, certification and performance improvement systems that result in average savings of 30 per cent for energy and waste stream, and 20 per cent savings for water consumption. Go to www.earthcheck.org or www.ec3global.com
For further information please contact:
EarthCheck
Chantal Dunbar
EC3 Global Communications Manager
P: +61 401 058 159
E: chantal.dunbar@ec3global.com
W: www.earthcheck.org
Source: http://www.prlog.org/10598931-caribbeans-largest-hotelier-partners-with-earthcheck.html
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
March Webcast on New Lean Six Sigma Belt Certification Standard
On March 10, 2010, MoreSteam.com, the leader in online Lean Six Sigma training and support technology, will host an unprecedented live Webcast to discuss the need for a rigorous, third-party global certification standard for Lean Six Sigma. The candid, one-hour conversation will center on the new certification standards published in 2010 by the Center for Operational Excellence (COE) at The Ohio State University. Three speakers, representing the viewpoints of academia, business, and training providers, will discuss how the new COE standards will benefit individual Lean Six Sigma practitioners, corporate deployments, and those who wish to hire external Belts.
Quality without a standard is a double standard. Lean Six Sigma, an enduring and accepted process improvement methodology, still has no globally accepted standard of belt certification. This situation is generally attributed to the lack of a global governing body and consensus around the basic criteria required to certify practitioners. The proliferation of schools, organizations, and training providers that now offer belt certification has led to wide variation in assessment criteria, leaving hiring managers and deployment leaders skeptical of external certification. Consequently, corporate leaders have addressed the absence of a standard by building their own equally varied array of in-house certification processes.
In the past year, the Center for Operational Excellence (COE) at The Ohio State University has worked with a council of academic faculty, industry leaders, and member companies to develop a common, robust, objective, and accessible operational definition for "what is a Lean Six Sigma Belt". This rigorous, third-party standard, which reflects the most common scope of industry expectations, is now available for public use, with the goal of bringing greater uniformity and value to the Black Belt and Green Belt certification process. The Center for Operational Excellence does not provide certifications, only a published standard. The standard is available on the COE Web site: http://fisher.osu.edu/centers/coe/lean-six-sigma-black-b ....
This one-hour program Webcast will feature three speakers: Peg Pennington, Executive Director of The Center for Operational Excellence at Ohio State University, Rachel Lane, Associate Vice President, Business Excellence at Nationwide, and Bill Hathaway, Founder and CEO of MoreSteam.com. The session will include a discussion on the current state of belt certification practices, the need for an impartial standard, what are the new COE Six Sigma Certification Standards, and how the new standards will better support Lean Six Sigma deployments. The event will conclude with an open forum for participants’ questions, comments, and feedback.
Webcast attendees will receive a free PDF of the “iSixSigma Certification Survey.” This survey, referenced in the Webcast, was originally published in the May/June 2008 issue of iSixSigma Magazine. Those who wish to register for this free online event can learn more at: http://www.moresteam.com/morenews/webcast031010.cfm.
Source: http://www.prlog.org/10528004-march-webcast-on-new-lean-six-sigma-belt-certification-standard.html
Quality without a standard is a double standard. Lean Six Sigma, an enduring and accepted process improvement methodology, still has no globally accepted standard of belt certification. This situation is generally attributed to the lack of a global governing body and consensus around the basic criteria required to certify practitioners. The proliferation of schools, organizations, and training providers that now offer belt certification has led to wide variation in assessment criteria, leaving hiring managers and deployment leaders skeptical of external certification. Consequently, corporate leaders have addressed the absence of a standard by building their own equally varied array of in-house certification processes.
In the past year, the Center for Operational Excellence (COE) at The Ohio State University has worked with a council of academic faculty, industry leaders, and member companies to develop a common, robust, objective, and accessible operational definition for "what is a Lean Six Sigma Belt". This rigorous, third-party standard, which reflects the most common scope of industry expectations, is now available for public use, with the goal of bringing greater uniformity and value to the Black Belt and Green Belt certification process. The Center for Operational Excellence does not provide certifications, only a published standard. The standard is available on the COE Web site: http://fisher.osu.edu/centers/coe/lean-six-sigma-black-b ....
This one-hour program Webcast will feature three speakers: Peg Pennington, Executive Director of The Center for Operational Excellence at Ohio State University, Rachel Lane, Associate Vice President, Business Excellence at Nationwide, and Bill Hathaway, Founder and CEO of MoreSteam.com. The session will include a discussion on the current state of belt certification practices, the need for an impartial standard, what are the new COE Six Sigma Certification Standards, and how the new standards will better support Lean Six Sigma deployments. The event will conclude with an open forum for participants’ questions, comments, and feedback.
Webcast attendees will receive a free PDF of the “iSixSigma Certification Survey.” This survey, referenced in the Webcast, was originally published in the May/June 2008 issue of iSixSigma Magazine. Those who wish to register for this free online event can learn more at: http://www.moresteam.com/morenews/webcast031010.cfm.
Source: http://www.prlog.org/10528004-march-webcast-on-new-lean-six-sigma-belt-certification-standard.html
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