Congratulations Fairmont Hotels and Resorts for achieving global CO2 reduction target of 20 per cent below 2006 levels

WWF

Last month, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and WWF celebrated the hotel brand’s achievement of Climate Savers Program targets, reducing operational CO2 emissions by 20 per cent below 2006 levels. In this accomplishment, the Canadian-based luxury hotel brand, already known for its industry leading sustainability programming, became globally recognized for being the first hotel brand to meet this ambitious environmental goal.

© Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
© Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

WWF’s Climate Savers Program was designed to inspire companies to change their thinking about climate solutions, while also encouraging them to transform themselves into low-carbon leaders. This leaves member companies better placed to avoid carbon-related risks while realizing opportunities within their long-term business strategies. Fairmont joined Fortune 500 companies and other top businesses like The Coca-Cola Company, Johnson & Johnson, and Nike to develop practical, cost-effective strategies that reduce emissions of CO2 and achieve energy efficiency solutions.
To meet the Climate Savers agreement, Fairmont undertook a wide variety of initiatives globally, this included:

  • Reducing operational CO2 emissions by 20 per cent below 2006 levels.
  • Created and implemented a Green Procurement Policy and Supplier Code of Conduct.
  • Educated and encouraged top suppliers (representing approximately 25 per cent of the supply chain) to provide products in accordance with the Green Procurement Policy and Supplier Code of Conduct.
  • Updated Design and Construction standards to incorporate and reflect Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

Fairmont hotels around the world also took their own unique approach to the challenge of reducing the brand’s carbon footprint, upgrading infrastructure and changing behaviours to reach the company’s goal. Activities were often driven by the actions of dedicated and passionate colleagues who were, and continue to be, committed to protecting and preserving the environment. Colleagues organized Sustainability Teams, leading the process as proactive, engaged, partners in the program. At the Fairmont St. Andrews, for example, the colleague Sustainability Team hosted open debates and pushed colleagues to propose initiatives that their department could then implement to create savings.
WWF-Canada is working with companies to drive sustainable business practices, such as emissions reductions, in order to shift towards a prosperous economy rooted in a healthy environment. Our corporate engagement work includes:

Through programs like these, we are working to inspire a change in thinking about environmental solutions in companies and encourage them to transform themselves into environmental leaders. We do this to demonstrate that not only does this drive meaningful conservation impact, but it benefits companies by leaving them better placed to avoid environmental-related risks while realizing opportunities within their long-term business strategies.
Congratulations and thank you to Fairmont for working locally and globally to achieve this significant milestone in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Find out more about WWF-Canada’s relationship with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts here.
Read about Fairmont’s recent fundraiser in support of WWF-Canada’s Arctic conservation work here.