Marriott cuts energy use 11%, greenhouse gas emissions by 10.7%, in its hotels

Since 2007, Marriott International has reduced its energy consumption by 11%, reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 10.7%, and is on track to meet its aggressive goal of a 25% decrease in energy and water consumption per available room by 2017.

These results are among those reported to shareholders, customers, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), associates and other stakeholders in the company’s first official Sustainability Report using the guidelines set forth by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), making Marriott the first major U.S.-based hospitality management company to report in accordance with this initiative. 

“We are committed to being a corporate social responsibility leader, benchmarking with like-minded companies, and providing the information and transparency that our stakeholders increasingly expect,” said J.W. Marriott, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Marriott International, Inc.

In the report, Marriott captures results from 2008 and 2009 in the areas of economic, environmental, and social responsibility performance. Highlights from the report include:

    * Reducing water consumption per available room by 8.2 percent in two years.

    * Increasing LEED registered and certified hotels from 18 to 67.

    * Seeding $2 million to jumpstart an Amazon rainforest preservation project in Brazil and $500,000 to help protect access to fresh water in China.

    * Surpassing the goal of 500 minority- and women-owned hotels a year early, reaching 525 in 2009.

    * Reviewing community programs and NGO partnerships addressing poverty alleviation, disaster relief, education and children’s wellbeing.

Sustainability reports based on the GRI framework are used to determine the sustainability issues most pertinent to the organization; benchmark organizational performance with respect to laws, norms, codes, performance standards and voluntary initiatives; demonstrate organizational commitment to sustainable development; and compare organizational performance over time. The Sustainability Reporting G3 Guidelines are the foundation of the framework. More information on the GRI.