WWF, the global conservation organization, announced a partnership with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts (Fairmont), an environmentally progressive hospitality company, to combat climate change.
At the heart of this new partnership, WWF and Fairmont will work closely over the coming months to measure the hotel group's current CO2 footprint according to UN protocol, set a world-class CO2 reduction target by June 2008, thereby becoming a member of WWF's global Climate Savers program, and develop a Fairmont-wide emission reduction plan. In addition, WWF and Fairmont will raise awareness about the need to lower absolute CO2 emissions among policy makers, consumers, and employees to stimulate market transformation. Fairmont expects to reduce its emissions through improved energy efficiency, increased conversion to renewable energy supply, promoting conservation practices among its colleagues, and will continue to share best practices with other companies committed to environmental protection.
'Travel is one of the key drivers of the world's economic engine. But with international trips expected to top 1.5 billion by 2020, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions released into our atmosphere are growing unacceptably,' said Mike Russill, President and CEO of WWF-Canada. 'As a global player in the hotel and tourism sector, I applaud Fairmont's leadership in tackling the single largest environmental issue facing the planet - global warming. WWF will work alongside Fairmont to set an ambitious absolute emission reduction target, develop specific plans to lower its CO2 footprint and challenge others in the sector to follow suit.'
'As a pioneering voice on responsible tourism in the hotel industry, Fairmont has always embraced its role as an environmental ambassador and has encouraged others to follow its lead,' said Chris Cahill, Fairmont's President & C.O.O. 'In the evolution of our environmental programming, Fairmont continues to seek out new ways in which to make a discernable impact and are pleased to be the first global hotel brand to partner with WWF to tackle climate change. WWF shares our passion, accountability and commitment to the environment, and to achieving significant CO2 reductions at our operations worldwide.'
For close to two decades, Fairmont has strived to minimize its impact on the planet through its award-winning Green Partnership program, a comprehensive platform focused on key areas such as waste reduction, energy management, water conservation, and innovative community outreach programs. In a sign of corporate leadership, the company also encourages others to follow in its footsteps and has developed the Green Partnership Guide, a how-to text that any company can obtain to create or grow their environmental programming.
About WWF
For more than 45 years, WWF has been protecting the future of nature. The largest multinational conservation organization in the world, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by 1.3 million members in North America and close to 5 million globally. WWF's unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level, from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature. WWF is dedicated to avoiding dangerous climate change by advocating and advancing policy and practical measures to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. WWF is partnering with leading corporations as part of its Climate Savers program to establish ambitious voluntary targets to reduce their CO2 emissions. By 2010, Climate Savers companies will have reduced their CO2 emissions by over ten million tons each year, the equivalent of taking 2 million cars off the road. To learn more, please visit www.panda.org.
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