Saunders Hotel Group, a third generation family business, has been selected as a Climate Counts Industry Innovator (i2). The company announced today that it has earned the top ranking for the entire hotel industry in Climate Counts’ 6th Annual Company Scorecard. This is the Saunders’ first time participating in the report.
Launched in 2007, Climate Counts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that rates which companies have developed a comprehensive response to global climate change. The Climate Counts Company Scorecard gives consumers the information they need to make climate-conscious purchasing and investing decisions. This year, 145 companies across 16 industry sectors were rated against a 22-criteria scoring methodology. Other top ranking companies this year include Unilever, Electrolux, Nike, UPS, Levi Strauss, L’Oreal, Bank of America, IBM and Stonyfield Farm.
Saunders Hotel Group’s score of 76 places them in the “Striding” category, which defines companies that are making strong headway to reduce their climate impact. SHG ranked as the top scorer in the Hotels sector, followed by Marriott who earned a score of 70, Wyndham a 64, Starwood a 56, Hyatt a 42, Hilton a 36 and Carlson a 13.
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“We’ve been committed to green hotel practices for more than twenty three years,” said Tedd Saunders, Chief Sustainability Officer of Saunders Hotel Group. “We are excited to work in partnership with Climate Counts to help with their mission of carrying forward the issue of climate impact with consumers and businesses.”
As an Industry Innovator, Saunders Hotel Group is recognized as a corporate leader in carrying the climate issue forward with consumers, investors and internal stakeholders. They will work closely with Climate Counts to develop a better understanding of what motivates consumers and the marketplace to see the critical issue of global climate change as both a risk and an opportunity to improve how we live.
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“As a business, we believe that sustainable practices should be an integral part of our mission,” said Jeffrey Saunders, President and CEO of Saunders Hotel Group. “We are very pleased to have received the top ranking in our industry and we look forward to continuing to reduce our impact on the climate.”
Companies were scored based on: 1) how well they review and take inventory of their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using an industry accepted accounting standard; 2) their strategy and achievement in reducing GHG emissions; 3) their efforts to support progress on climate legislation; and 4) if the company publicly discloses information about their sustainability efforts and their progress toward carbon neutrality.
Saunders Hotel Group has been an industry trendsetter in sustainable tourism practices since 1989, and has been dedicated to minimizing its carbon footprint through corporate environmental initiatives, as well as finding opportunities to help its various communities both locally and regionally. Saunders Hotel Group began using innovative green practices at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers when it was under their ownership in the late 1980s, years before any other North American hotel company started their efforts. In the early 2000s, when converting the historic Boston police headquarters into the 4-star Jury’s Hotel, Saunders Hotel Group worked with the City of Boston and local community partners to build affordable housing in the area.
The Lenox Hotel and Comfort Inn & Suites Boston / Airport are widely recognized as industry leaders with comprehensive environmental initiatives. Saunders Hotel Group implements innovative energy efficiency measures as well as efforts to minimize solid waste through source reduction, aggressive recycling and reuse. The hotel actively conserves water resources and purchases environmentally friendly, as well as local products and services. They also make an effort to educate guests, employees, competitors, and the public on ways to reduce environmental impact. At all five of its hotels along the Eastern Seaboard, Saunders Hotel Group utilizes energy efficient technologies and practices in lighting, HVAC, hot water, kitchens, and pools. To ensure that efficiency initiatives are effective, the company monitors and produces monthly reports on the use of gas, water, electricity and waste.
Last May, Saunders Hotel Group was recognized with The Tourism for Tomorrow Community Benefit Award for its worldwide leadership in sustainable tourism by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). Saunders Hotel Group employs more than 100 corporate-wide sustainability initiatives at their properties today, including hybrid cars, waterless urinals, state of the art windows, and ozone laundry systems. For more information, contact Tedd Saunders at TSaunders@EcoLogical-Solutions.net
About Saunders Hotel Group
The Saunders Hotel Group, known for its commitment to gracious hospitality, innovation, and environmental leadership, operates five distinctive properties: Lenox Hotel (Boston), Comfort Inn & Suites (Boston/Logan Airport), Hawthorn Suites Hotel (Alexandria, VA), Hampton Inn (Norwood, MA), and The Premiere Hotel and Suites (New Haven, CT). To learn more visit www.saundershotelgroup.net.
