Marriott-branded hotels in the United Kingdom have successfully reduced carbon emissions and greenhouse gases collectively by 7.3 percent to earn Carbon Trust Standard certification, a government program launched in 2008 in response to the U.K.’s Climate Change Act to benchmark and assess company commitment and success in addressing climate change impact. In addition, 25 hotels will achieve Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) certification, a program validated by Visit Britain and the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) which assesses energy and water efficiency, waste management and biodiversity, by year-end.

One of the improvements involves the greening of all Marriott golf courses. Last year, the company announced a goal to have all of its golf courses certified by the Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary, a program that helps golf courses protect natural wildlife habitats, improve efficiency and minimize potentially harmful effects of golf course operations. Today, 10 courses, which are located in the U.K., have earned Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary-certification, bringing the number of Marriott golf courses earning the achievement to 48 worldwide. (more…)

Photo courtesy NRDC

President Obama announced two major new steps today to reduce America’s carbon pollution and oil dependence. He instructed the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation, working closely with California and other stakeholders, to issue a second round of greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards covering cars and light trucks for model years 2017-25. These will build on the landmark clean car standards for the 2012-16 model years announced in April. The president also directed those agencies to work together with California and stakeholders on the nation’s first-ever greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards for heavier trucks, from urban delivery trucks to 18-wheelers, that will be built in model years 2014-18.

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