Starwood cleans up on energy use @StarwoodBuzz

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Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide says it has reduced energy use by 12.08%, carbon emissions by 16.07% and water use by 17.26% across all owned, managed and franchised properties from 2008 through 2014.

The reductions stem from Starwood?s 30/20 by 20 environmental goals, launched in 2009, to cut energy use by 30% and water use by 20% by 2020 globally. In 2013, Starwood added a goal to reduce carbon emissions by 30% during the same timeframe.

Starwood has made reductions by working together with its properties, using low-cost, foundational initiatives such as installing high-efficiency LED lighting and low-flow fixtures and faucets as well as 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.

The Sheraton Santa Fe in Mexico City has cut energy use by 26.1%, carbon emissions by 35.61% and water consumption by 39.33% since 2008 by installing LED lighting, motion sensors and low-flow faucets, recycling soapy water and using rainwater collection. It also undertook larger projects including re-engineering water heaters and installing control systems.