In addition to promoting the use of highly recognized green building certification systems, Fairmont’s Sustainable Design policy also includes new environmental criteria and checklists for renovation projects and property retrofits, environmental consultation during the design brief and construction process, and the creation of a green build best practices repository for use by its hotels, engineers, developers, project leads and architects.

Fairmont Pittsburgh, a new hotel that opened last year, and The Savoy, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, which unveiled a multi-year restoration program this past October, were the brand’s first completed projects under the new policy.

As the brand’s first LEED certified hotel, Fairmont Pittsburgh achieved a Gold certification by incorporating sustainable design features such as energy efficient lighting and appliances, enzyme waste systems, furnishings and other guestroom amenities made from recycled, organic or sustainable material, and the use of paints, adhesives, sealants, carpets and fabrics with no or low emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds.

In London, the restoration of The Savoy included the addition of several new environmental technologies including a waste management system that recycles up to 90% of waste from the hotel and a new heat and power (CHP) plant that reduces the hotel’s reliance on the national grid by approximately 50%.

In addition to LEED guidelines, a number of other green rating systems and programs will influence Fairmont’s activity in this area including the BREEAM (British Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) program in Europe, Estidama Pearls in Abu Dhabi, and China’s Three Star program.

With the adoption of its new Sustainable Design Policy, Fairmont continues to be at the forefront of environmental action within the hospitality industry. Working alongside the World Wildlife Fund, one of the world’s largest conservation organizations, Fairmont has pledged to reduce operational CO2 emissions from its existing portfolio of hotels by 20% below 2006 levels by 2013.