The Politics of Going Green
The call to go green is louder than ever before, especially in the hotel industry. Although environmental movements have been in practice for the past few decades, reality has finally set in and the hotel industry is realizing that changes and a set of standards need to be implemented.
A question has been hanging around for some time: who would create the new standards? Which governing organization would create the checks and balances for the industry to follow and discipline hotels not following appropriate standards?
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) stepped up, suggesting that it create a certification system for all hotels. However, this wasn't in the best interest of the organization. The AH&LA realized that if it was to step in to take the lead, it risked putting hotels at odds with one another. Worse, they could be forced to take action against one of its own members, if that hotel failed to follow guidelines. The organization wasn't an objective third party, so it couldn't implement standards.
Realizing what makes the most sense for the industry standard, the AH&LA will now be working with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to make their Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards more 'hospitality friendly.' If you can imagine, only 13 hotels currently have LEED certification and there are more than 48,000 hotels in the US. Within two years there could be as many as 1,700 hotels in the LEED certification process.
At The Refinishing Touch we are 100% behind the movement, and fully support the USGBC stepping in as a third party to help manage the process. The AH&LA has been instrumental in getting the process to this point, and it makes complete sense for USGBC to step in and assist.
The hotel industry is one of the top five ranked intensive energy users in the US commercial sector. It's extremely important for the industry to put resource conservation and sustainability at the top of its list of priorities - in all aspects of the business. Green standards help not only the environment but also help hotels save money and attract new customers, such as business and leisure travelers who are also concerned with green issues.
The call to go green is louder than ever before, especially in the hotel industry. Although environmental movements have been in practice for the past few decades, reality has finally set in and the hotel industry is realizing that changes and a set of standards need to be implemented.
A question has been hanging around for some time: who would create the new standards? Which governing organization would create the checks and balances for the industry to follow and discipline hotels not following appropriate standards?
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) stepped up, suggesting that it create a certification system for all hotels. However, this wasn't in the best interest of the organization. The AH&LA realized that if it was to step in to take the lead, it risked putting hotels at odds with one another. Worse, they could be forced to take action against one of its own members, if that hotel failed to follow guidelines. The organization wasn't an objective third party, so it couldn't implement standards.
Realizing what makes the most sense for the industry standard, the AH&LA will now be working with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to make their Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards more 'hospitality friendly.' If you can imagine, only 13 hotels currently have LEED certification and there are more than 48,000 hotels in the US. Within two years there could be as many as 1,700 hotels in the LEED certification process.
At The Refinishing Touch we are 100% behind the movement, and fully support the USGBC stepping in as a third party to help manage the process. The AH&LA has been instrumental in getting the process to this point, and it makes complete sense for USGBC to step in and assist.
The hotel industry is one of the top five ranked intensive energy users in the US commercial sector. It's extremely important for the industry to put resource conservation and sustainability at the top of its list of priorities - in all aspects of the business. Green standards help not only the environment but also help hotels save money and attract new customers, such as business and leisure travelers who are also concerned with green issues.
posted by TRT Blog on
Friday, November 21, 2008
at
2:12 PM
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