Getting mean about going green

Thomas Tapken

Are we paying only lip service to environmental sustainability, or are we just passing the buck totally, asks City Seasons Group of Hotels new group general manager Thomas Tapken

How many hotels, management companies and owners are really committed to supporting environmentally friendly hotels? And where does the responsibility lie? Is it with the general manager, who is probably only ‘on property’ for two or three years and responsible for the revenue? Or should the management company, committed to the bottom line rather than long-term sustainability, or the hotel owner, be driving the issue?

Management companies have the knowledge, as they must implement certain standards in Europe and more are seeking LEED certification from the US Green Building Council. Yet even in the US, according to a recent report in USA Today, “Starwood says four of its hotels are LEED certified and 64 others pursuing it. Marriott has two with 50 in the pipeline”. Hardly an earth-shattering success!

In a perfect world, all parties would work together towards a common goal, but in reality, all parties are watching their daily bottom line, rather than thinking years ahead. It costs more to ‘go green’ in the short-term, which is where it often matters most. The long-term savings are, however, proven — this is what should matter to management companies and owners, who should then be driving the general manager to make changes.

Story continues below

Time for change

Exactly what changes should we be making? It comes down to saving water, saving energy and reducing solid waste. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? So where exactly is the problem with implementation?

We all threw our hands up in horror when the UAE’s carbon footprint was announced as the largest in the world by the Earth Council — but what have each of us done to reduce it? Yes, there are more recycling bins around residential communities, but are we doing as much as we could in the hotels?
What about reduction of water consumption? Has anyone actually attempted to install low-flow shower heads or only serve water on request in restaurants? What about low-flow toilets?

And what about employee housing? Has anyone installed any water consumption-reducing device or energy-saving light bulb there? A hotel with nearly 2000 employees has to have a minimum of 1200 rooms with each floor having a maximum of 50 rooms. This translates to 24 floors, each floor with a minimum of 25 light bulbs — on 24/7! Motion sensors here would require a higher initial investment, but would have significant future cost savings.

In the hotel, have you installed motion sensors for public rest rooms, meeting rooms, exercise rooms and corridors? Or do you use energy-saving bulbs? The argument that they are not ‘aesthetic’ no longer applies as many variations are available.