Marriott, parent company of Marriott Vacation Club timeshare resorts, is the first U.S. lodging company to follow the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The hospitality giant’s Sustainability Report tracks reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, among other “green” projects.
Marriott was honored with the 2007 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Since 2007, Marriott International has reduced its energy consumption by 11 percent, reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 10.7 percent, and is on track to meet its aggressive goal of an amazing 25 percent decrease in energy and water consumption per available room by 2017.
These results are among those reported to shareholders, customers, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the company’s first official Sustainability Report using the guidelines set forth by the GRI.
In the report, Marriott documents results from 2008 and 2009 in the areas of economic, environmental, and social responsibility performance. Highlights from the report include:
- Reducing water consumption per available room by 8.2 percent in two years.
- Increasing LEED® (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) registered and certified hotels from 18 to 67.
- Seeding $2 million to jumpstart an Amazon rainforest preservation project in Brazil and $500,000 to help protect access to fresh water in China.
- Surpassing the goal of 500 minority- and women-owned hotels a year early, reaching 525 in 2009.
- Reviewing community programs and NGO partnerships addressing poverty alleviation, disaster relief, education and children’s wellbeing.
“We are committed to being a corporate social responsibility leader, benchmarking with like-minded companies, and providing the information and transparency that our stakeholders increasingly expect,” said J.W. Marriott, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Marriott International, Inc.
Marriott had its beginnings in 1927 when J. Willard Marriott and his wife, Alice, opened a root beer stand in Washington, D.C. Today Marriott International is the largest U.S. hotel company by market value, with over 3,000 lodging properties in the U.S. and 67 other countries and territories. Marriott International brought to the lodging industry a respect for the consumer which has culminated in innovative lodgings, quality service, and now a commitment to the environment.