Saunders Hotel Group
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2011-2012)
Reporting Period: 2011-2012
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:5,237,762 kgCO2e (2012)
Renewable Energy Share:100% offset through RECs and carbon offsets (2012)
ESG Focus Areas
- Energy
- Emissions
- Water
- Waste
- Community
- Diversity
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced GHG emissions by 15.2% since 2008 (based on kgCO2e/PAR)
- Reduced energy use equivalent to taking 1,000 cars off the road for one year in 2012
- Offset 100% of the portfolio’s energy use with Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and carbon offsets
- 32% reduction in water use at New Haven Premiere Hotel & Suites
- 24% reduction in GHG emissions at The Lenox Hotel
- 24.7% reduction in GHG emissions at Hampton Inn, Norwood
- 88% waste diversion rate at The Lenox Hotel (from hotel rooms)
Social Achievements
- 64% women/minorities in management
- 44% women/minorities in corporate executives
- Donated amenities to homeless shelters
- Donated hundreds of hours of employee time to community service
- Provided full annual scholarships to children or grandchildren of SHG employees
- Launched The Lenox Hotel’s Lunch and Learn program
- Provided winter window insulation kits to employees
Governance Achievements
- Formalized companywide goals for GHG reductions, water efficiency, solid waste reduction, and sustainable purchasing in 2011
- Received the World Tourism and Travel Council’s Tourism For Tomorrow Award for Community Benefit in 2012
- Received top ranking among hospitality companies in the Climate Counts annual Company Ratings Report in 2012
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Divert 80% of waste from landfills
Medium-term Goals:
- Reduce GHG emissions to a level 20% below 2008 levels by 2020
- Purchase 60% of goods and services from environmentally preferred products or companies
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce water consumption by 20% per occupied room below 2008 levels
Environmental Challenges
- Determining accurate number of guests per room for water consumption calculations
- Increasing water usage at some properties despite efforts
- Quantifying the percentage of purchases from environmentally preferred products
- Achieving 80% waste diversion from landfills
- Balancing growth with energy reduction
Mitigation Strategies
- Using ‘per occupied room’ as a metric for water consumption
- Investing in more efficient fixtures, equipment, and procedures
- Analyzing water fixtures and implementing best practices
- Creating operations that recycle almost everything
- Increasing food waste diversion
- Leveraging technology (LED lighting, Energy Star equipment)
- Making large system changes (HVAC-R), adopting on-site generation, and changing how potential assets are evaluated
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Sustainable Purchasing Policy considering Fair Trade, Organic, and Energy Star Certified products; requesting environmental policies from vendors
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Amenity dispensers
Awards & Recognition
- World Tourism and Travel Council’s Tourism For Tomorrow Award for Community Benefit (2012)
- Top ranking among hospitality companies in the Climate Counts annual Company Ratings Report (2012)