On 21st April 2012, Accor launched PLANET 21; an innovative programme based around 21 commitments the company is making towards sustainable development. A year on, Accor gives a positive assessment on the growing involvement of its hotels and employees and strengthens its leadership and progression as a sustainable hotel group.

About PLANET 21

The 21 commitments made by Accor for sustainable development are based around 7 core areas, accepted in 90 countries, these include:  nature, carbon, innovation, local development, employment and communication. Accor has pledged that by 2015, these seven pillars will be recognised by all hotels in the network.

Some key results for the United Kingdom by end of 2012:

·      Health: 91% of hotels use eco-friendly products
·      Nature: 92% of hotels recycle their waste and 72% of hotels participate in the Plant for the Planet reforestation project
·      Carbon: 4% of hotels use renewable energy
·      Innovation: 30% of hotels have at least three ecological elements in each of their rooms
·      Local: 46% of hotels buy local products and support local businesses
·      Employment: 76% of hotel managers are placed by internal promotion
·      Dialogue: 24% of all hotels are ISO 14001 certified (excl. budget segment)

One Year Later: What’s new for PLANET 21?

To involve its 3,500 hotels concretely in the implementation of its programme, Accor launched a system of monitoring and measuring sustainable performance of hotels based on four levels of certification: bronze, followed by silver, gold, and finally platinum. The strategy also includes a program to engage customers, inviting them to contribute to the hotels’ actions and achievements at a time when clients and hotel guests are increasingly concerned about these issues.

Fortunately, this innovation seems to be working, because today almost 60% of hotels have achieved the bronze level, against 24% in early 2012. Accor offers its customers a service-oriented approach, leaning strongly towards sustainable development, which can be seen during a guest’s whole stay. Just a few initiatives that the hotels have brought in include the use of green cleaning products, low consumption lamps, water flow regulators and responsible sourcing of ingredients for in-hotel meals.

The runaway success of the Plant for the Planet

Among the 21 goals of its program, Accor has chosen to focus on preservation of the ecosystems in which its hotels are established. A pioneer in the matter of reforestation, Accor has financed the planting of over 3 million trees from savings on laundering costs thanks to responsible behaviour on the part of its hotel managers and guests. So why not plan an eco-friendly trip? Over 3,500 hotels can be booked on www.accorhotels.com. Enjoy your trip to your hotel in Paris, Amsterdam, London…and thousands more destinations. Help us, make the world a better place and move forward sustainably!