Friday, 3 July 2015

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific Contributes to 30/20 by 20 Environmental Goals

Westin Fiji pool
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific today announced it has reduced its energy use by 12.03%, carbon emissions by 10.61% and water use by 15.06% from 2008 through the end of 2014. The reductions are part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) global 30/20 by 20 goals, launched in 2009, to cut energy use by 30% and water use by 20% by 2020, across all owned, managed and franchised hotels. In 2013, Starwood also added a goal to cut carbon emissions by 30% during the same timeframe.

Working towards the longer term 30/20 by 20 goal, Starwood Asia Pacific has set out distinct yearly targets for each region across Asia Pacific since 2011. These shorter, segmented targets are based on the unique operational needs of each market and have resulted in the reductions through the end of 2014.

“As Starwood's fastest growing division, Starwood Asia Pacific recognizes the increasing need to continue working together with our owners, customers, guests and associates to achieve the 30/20 by 20 goals,” said Stephen Ho, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific. “Starwood seeks to be a positive influence in the communities that we operate; and we look forward to continue the drive towards environmental stewardship.”

Globally, Starwood cut energy use by 12.08%, carbon emissions by 16.07% and water use by 17.26% since the baseline year of 2008.

“We're pleased with the progress and are encouraged by the reductions we made while maintaining an aggressive global growth strategy,” said Ken Siegel, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Head of Global Citizenship at Starwood. “Our 30/20 by 20 goals challenge us to create short- and long-term programs and partnerships that protect the environment, reduce operating costs, enhance the guest experience and make sustainable upgrades possible for properties.”

As a company, Starwood has focused on low-cost, foundational initiatives such as installing high-efficiency LED lighting and low-flow fixtures and faucets as well as larger, capital improvements including enhancing or replacing mechanical systems. In most properties, foundational initiatives account for approximately one-third of the progress towards 30/20 by 20 goals and are projected to save US$1 billion across the portfolio in less than 10 years. Capital improvements and partnerships that bring innovative, renewable, and efficient technologies like solar help shore up the remaining reductions to-date.

Andrea Pinabell, Vice President of Sustainability at Starwood added, “We'd like to thank the dedication of sustainability champions, engineers, general managers, and passionate associates throughout our properties who work tirelessly to make improvements and implement programs that protect our environment.”

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 1,200 properties in some 100 countries and over 180,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, Element® and the recently introduced Tribute Portfolio™. The Company boasts one of the industry's leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG®), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood recently announced plans to spin off its Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc. business, a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands, into a standalone public company by the end of 2015. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

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