Rezidor, one of the fastest growing hotel companies worldwide and a member of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, has launched Think Planet, a group-wide energy-saving initiative. The ambitious program targets an energy consumption reduction of 25% by the year 2016 in all Rezidor hotels across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The group currently has hotels in operation in more than 70 countries and 100 additional properties are under development.
“Think Planet reinforces Rezidor’s position as one of the industry leaders in terms of sustainability. Many of our hotels have already introduced progressive, environmentally friendly measures and now we are spreading these initiatives into all our properties,” said Inge Huijbrechts, Director Responsible Business at Rezidor. “At the same time, we are currently faced with significantly rising energy costs in many countries, along with government carbon taxation. Moving forward, reducing our energy consumption will also contribute to maximizing our profits,” added Wolfgang M. Neumann, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Rezidor.
Think Planet has been developed and is driven by a specially formed, interdepartmental and cross-regional team at Rezidor – with representatives from Technical Services, Operations, Purchasing, Finance, and Responsible Business. The program’s first phase, a company-wide energy audit, has already been carried out and has resulted in a general Energy Action Plan listing the group’s top energy priorities.
In hotel operations, Think Planet focuses on creating smart energy habits – such as switching off lights, turning heating and cooling to eco-mode and reporting energy related issues. The basic Think Planet tools are simple and low-cost solutions, they comprise daylight and motion sensors for lighting, condensation water recuperation from air-conditioning, and alarms on freezers. Considerable investments are made to completely move to energy efficient lighting in all hotels, install variable extraction systems in the kitchens, and optimize building management systems and heating-, ventilation- and air condition installations. “We focus on energy saving investments with a return on investment up to seven years,” explained Inge Huijbrechts. The energy saving results are monitored and verified through monthly reports on environmental key performance indicators.
A crucial factor of the energy-saving initiative is staff engagement. In line with Rezidor’s unique service philosophy Yes I Can! and with the help of the Think Planet’s mascot, the cute firefly Lumi, all 35,000+ employees participate in the initiative. Dedicated audio- and video trainings inform employees about smart energy saving habits in housekeeping, kitchen and meeting areas, a monthly “Lumiquiz” and a competition for the most efficient, energy saving hotel of the year ensure continuous employee motivation and involvement.
Think Planet is the newest part of Rezidor’s Responsible Business Program that dates back to the year 1989. In 2001, Rezidor was one of the first international hotel companies to introduce a group-wide program consisting of three main pillars: health and safety of guests and employees, respect for social and ethical issues within the company, and a reduced environmental footprint. Rezidor actively partners with third-party eco labels such as Green Key, supports the charity organization World Childhood Foundation, and has signed the United Nations Global Compact. In 2010, 2011 and 2012, Rezidor was awarded as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the US-think tank Ethisphere.
About The Rezidor Hotel Group
The Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world and a member of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. The group features a portfolio of more than 430 hotels in operation and under development with almost 95,000 rooms in 70 countries.
Rezidor operates the brands Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson in Europe, Middle East and Africa, along with the Club Carlson loyalty programme for frequent hotel guests. Under a worldwide licence agreement with the iconic Italian fashion house Missoni, Rezidor also operates and develops the lifestyle brand Hotel Missoni.
In November 2006, Rezidor was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Carlson, a privately held, global hospitality and travel company, based in Minneapolis (USA), is the majority shareholder.
The corporate office of the Rezidor Hotel Group is based in Brussels, Belgium.
For more information visit www.rezidor.com
