2 UAE-based hotels raise Dh51,000, offset 37 tonnes of carbon emissions in 30 days
The green initiative has finally caught up with the UAE as Time Hotels announced its first carbon offset accommodation at two of its properties in Dubai.
The company stated it aimed to save over 320 tonnes of carbon emissions by year end, "which is equivalent to flying a fully occupied 60-sater plane around the world." Read: 2 Dubai hotels go carbon-neutral, but will make customers pay [www.emirates247.com/business/2-dubai-hotels-go-carbon-neutral-but-will-make-customers-pay-2014-05-06-1.548183]
CEO Mohamed Awadalla maintains that, in the first month since its launch, Arab travellers had emerged as the biggest supporters to the green cause, accounting for 59 per cent of all contributors.
He revealed that the 'Hotel Stay Carbon Offset Programme' raised Dh51,000 in its first 30 days by saving 37 tonnes of carbon emissions. Money raised will be donated to the Myclimate Foundation towards supporting solar lighting initiatives in rural Ethiopia, along with working towards replacing kerosene lamps with energy efficient cooking stoves for displaced families living in refugee camps in Darfur, Sudan.
Addressing the media at the ongoing Arabian Travel Market, Awadalla said: "As the first carbon offset hotel for the Middle East region, the idea behind this initiative is to reduce green gas emissions and work towards a sustainable future for coming generations."
Carbon offsetting signifies a reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases in order to compensate an emission made elsewhere.
Globally, hospitality chains including the Rezidor Group and Hilton Worldwide have launched Carbon Offset Programmes. Hilton's plan in Southeast Asia aims to reduce the impact of meetings and events held at participating hotels in the region, with participating properties in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Meanwhile, in 2013, the InterContinental Hotels Group set a target to reduce its carbon footprint per occupied room by 12 per cent between 2013 and 2017.
Some other hotel groups have also adopted greener alternatives such as utilising solar panels or energy-efficient lighting and/or air conditioning, offsetting energy used by supporting carbon-reducing projects that can include reforestation programmes of sustainable living for communities.
In Dubai, guests checking in at Time Oak Hotel and Suites and Time Grand Plaza have the option to contribute Dh15 per stay to offset the water and energy they consume during their stay.
Awadalla continued: "Guests are also given options whereby they can choose to not have their linens changed to reduce their carbon footprint even further. Those dining in the hotels can choose to have half portion meals or when ordering beverages, the option to leave the straw still packed in the cover to be reused."
© Emirates 24|7 2014
