Climate Measures and Activities



BOOKING l BRØCHNER HOTELS l CLIMATE l MEETINGS l PRESS l CORPORATE AGREEMENT l CONTACT

Climate Measures and Activities Below is an overview of Brøchner Hotels climate and environmental activities. We hope it may inspire others, who are actively working to improve their CO2 footprints, and who strive to make their consumption environmental and climate-friendly. THE HISTORY In February 2008 a board meeting of Brøchner Hotels and its subsidiaries decided that the chain must be CO2 neutral with retrospective effect from 2007. A 5-point climate plan with the following headings was prepared: 1. CO2 neutralisation now and in the future 2. Making energy savings 3. Involving guests 4. Establishing a CO2 neutral hotel network 5. Collaborating with climate networks/alliances including climate friendly suppliers. CO2 statements for 2007 were calculated and an equivalent number of CO2 quotas were purchased and destroyed in order to neutralise the CO2 emissions from the hotels’ consumption of electricity and heating in 2007. A climate committee with representatives from receptions, kitchens, IT department, technical department, the cleaning section, administration and management was appointed with the goals of creating energy saving ideas and acting as climate advocates in their respective departments. This led to the development of the product:“CO2 neutral City Break”. This is a weekend package in which the classic fruit basket and champagne treat is exchanged for a destroyed CO2 quota. This allows guests to neutralize their energy consuming transportation to Copenhagen. The network www.CO2neutral-hotels.com was established to enable hotels around the world to document their CO2 neutrality and exchange energy saving ideas relating to our industry. We entered into an agreement with the climate friendly energy company Modstrøm concerning the supply of CO2 neutral power as well as a partnership with the Danish Energy Agency’s ”1 tonne less” campaign, in which we committed ourselves to actively spreading the climate message. All employees and key suppliers were involved in the climate project on a project day and employees were issued with auto-saving power strips and Al Gore’s documentary “An Inconvenient Truth”. On 23rd April 2008 the climate plan was published and Brøchner Hotels became the world’s first CO2 neutral hotel chain – with Hotel Fox, Hotel Danmark, Ibsens Hotel and Hotel Kong Arthur becoming Denmark’s first CO2 neutral hotels. 2007 Air conditioning: We chose not to install the air conditioning as part of a thorough renovation and extension of Hotel Kong Arthur. Air conditioning would have meant that the hotel could qualify as a 5-star hotel. Heating consumption: We changed to new and more climate friendly group heating stations at Ibsens Hotel and Hotel Kong Arthur. 2008 Power consumption: All standard light bulbs are changed to energy saving bulbs as they expire – and as alternative products become available. ‘Switch off the light’ procedures are implemented; this includes PCs that are not in use in the evening and at night. Light sensors are installed in many corridors and basement areas. Linen consumption: Linen is now only changed upon departure rather than every 2-3 days as before (unless the guest explicitly requests a linen change). Cleaning: The cleaning section introduces “This month’s 3 new climate habits”. The first month focuses on 1. Turning off vacuum cleaners when not in use, 2. Checking whether the heated towel rail is turned off, 3. Closing the windows when leaving the room. In addition new energy saving vacuum cleaners are purchased. Television: All cathode ray televisions at Hotel Kong Arthur are exchanged for more energy friendly LCD flat screen TVs. Suppliers: All suppliers are reviewed in their response to their climate behavior and the product ranges are adjusted to more climate friendly and organic products. Delivery to and from the hotels is also made more efficient. Some suppliers are replaced – others help to find climate friendly solutions. Breakfast buffet: The products in our breakfast buffets (all lunch and evening restaurants are subcontracted) are reviewed with an eye to ecology and the motto: Do we have to serve kiwis from New Zealand or could we serve apples from Denmark (during the season). Do our dairy goods need to be delivered every day or would every other day be sufficient, etc.? Fairtrade coffee is being introduced into both our breakfast restaurants and conference departments. Transport: All employees are presented with a cycle helmet with the message “Because we use our heads – CO2 neutral hotels”. Similarly, employees who participate in the annual DHL fun run receive running clothes with the slogan “Because it can’t happen fast enough – CO2 neutral hotels”. Lectures/information: Kirsten Brøchner lectures at the World Hotels Leadership Forum in Stockholm for managers from 500 international hotels. In addition a lecture is held at a school for (10-13 year olds) concerning the operation of climate friendly hotels with parallels to general housekeeping. Several newsletters on the climate problem are issued to customers and suppliers. Information is available in all our rooms, elevators and on the website etc. Guest articles: Soap dispensers with allergy and the Nordic Ecolabel Swan marked soap and shampoo are installed in Ibsens Hotel and Hotel Danmark IT: All PCs are changed to new energy saving PCs and/or laptops. All old CRT screens are changed to flat screens. Customers: Customers receive auto-saving power strips in connection with our sales visits. Waste: Waste sorting is extended from bottles and card to also include paper. Towels: A new towel system is tested. The old system of “leave it on the floor or hang it up” was not working satisfactorily, as the length of stays during winter is often only twenty-four hours. We therefore test a new system in Hotel Danmark: A towel is placed in the bathroom while the other towels are stored “just slightly” out of sight in the cupboard with a request that guests only use a single towel if they are just having a quick shower. Paper: All leaflets are printed on Nordic Ecolabel Swan paper and recycled paper is used for scrap. 2009 CO2neutral-hotels.com: Hotel Alexandra, Copenhagen becomes CO2-neutral and is included in our CO2neutral-hotels.com network. Towels: The test period for the new towel system is completed and is a success. 8 out of 10 guests grasp the concept and only use 1 towel per stay. The system is implemented throughout all hotels. Energy consumption: Reading of all energy meters is increased from each quarter to each month in order to react more rapidly to increased energy consumption. 5 good climate habits: Signage is established in all departments stating 5 good climate habits for the department in question. For example, in offices this states: “turn down the heating and keep an old sweater in the office”, “turn off the light when you leave your office – and for short meetings” etc. Green Key Certification: We receive “Green Key” certification for all 4 hotels. The Green Key is an international environmental mark for the tourist industry that sets standards for environmental behavior and a range of areas within: environmental management, personnel involvement, guest information, water consumption, cleaning, waste, energy, ecology, printing and more. Osmosis plant: Investment is made in a softening system (osmosis technology) for heated water containers to minimize the use of lime removers. The project starts out at Hotel Kong Arthur and Ibsens Hotel. Climate+ Front Runner: Copenhagen Municipality nominates us as a Climate+ Front Runner business. Kirsten Brøchner therefore holds a speech at Copenhagen’s Municipality’s Climate+ kick off. Project Energy Trim: A major energy optimisation (Energy Trim) is performed in all heating systems in collaboration with Danfoss. Water: We undertake a check of all showerheads and taps and exchange all defect and worn out aerators. Maize glass: Decomposable disposable glass created from maize is introduced in all bathrooms, except Hotel Fox where reusable plastic cups are used. In Hotel Kong Arthur new guest articles such as soap, shampoo etc. are introduced, which are all marked with the EU’s Ecolabel Flower. Spring water: Spring water sales are given up with the exception of mini-bars in Hotel Kong Arthur. LoveSpring drinking bottles therefore go on sale throughout the hotels. The LoveSpring Fund’s profits go to humanitarian water projects in developing countries, including Børnefonden’s Well well projects in West Africa. Energy windows: During the renovation of the conference building in Hotel Kong Arthur, all the windows are changed to energy windows. Electric cars: We are purchasing electric cars for guests to lease for internal use and private use by Kirsten Brøchner. The electric cars, which are manufactured in Norway and called Buddy, has entered the Danish market at the beginning of the year. They can carry 2-3 persons, drive 50-60 km on one charge and have a maximum speed of 75 kh/h. They are therefore primarily suited to city driving. Electric cars can also park for free in all public parking places. We are establishing 3 charging stations at Hotel Kong Arthur for free use by all. Green City Tourism: Kirsten Brøchner is actively involved in the Danish Enterprise Agency’s project “Green City Tourism” – a development project that will make the tourism industry more environmentally friendly. Fairtrade: New Fairtrade products are being introduced for conference guests, including chocolate, sweets and Green tea Mints and more from Fair4All. Lectures: Kirsten Brøchner lectures at “IMEX - the Worldwide Conference and Exhibition for Incentive Travel, Meetings and Events” in Frankfurt. Speeches were also held at the “Young President Organisation (YPO) - Greater Europe Chapter” event in Copenhagen. The Roskilde Festival: We are collaborating with the Roskilde Festival, North Europe’s largest culture and music Festival, in connection with their “Green Foot Steps” campaign. The festival borrows Brøchner Hotels electric cars for the project. Beer: We are changing our beer range to beer from Nørrebro Bryghus, including their new CO2 neutral beer “Globe Ale”. Double Duvets: A double duvet is approximately 2 x 2 metres in size (4 m2), whereas 2 individual duvets are approximately 1.5 x 2 metres in size (6 m2). We are attempting to reduce our washing and drying of linen via the introduction of double duvets in our smaller double bedrooms. We are testing this in Hotel Fox and Hotel Danmark. Parades: The electric cars participated in a range of parades over the summer, including the “CO2 E-race” at Copenhagen Distortion Festival and “Pride Parade” during Copenhagen Pride. Television: The cathode rate televisions in Hotel Danmark are changed to more energy friendly LCD flatscreens. Taxi: Amager-Øbro Taxa wants to be CO2 neutral on their fuel consumption. They are looking for a new, climate conscious customer to convince cab owners about the idea. Amager Øbro Taxa gets all our hotels as a new client. The taxi company is now CO2 neutral. Better Place: Collaboration has been established with Better Place and installation of Better Place charging stands has been agreed at Hotel Kong Arthur. In addition our electric cars are being loaned in connection with the establishment of Better Place stands around Copenhagen. 2010 CO2 statement 2009: In connection with the CO2 statement for 2009 we have also decided to CO2 neutralise the CO2 emissions caused by our linen consumption, flights and transport. In addition to the present neutralisation of the emissions caused by electricity and heating – all through the existing purchase and destruction of CO2 quotas. Power consumption: A LED project will commence for all light sources. In addition we have decided to apply timers to all extraction fans by the end of 2010. Heating consumption: The group heating station at Hotel Danmark will be changed to a new and more climate friendly system at the start of 2010. Updated: November 2009

In February 2008 a board meeting of Brøchner Hotels and its subsidiaries decided that the chain would become CO2 neutral with retrospective effect from 2007. CO2 accounts for 2007 were calculated and an equivalent number of CO2 quotas were purchased and destroyed in order to neutralise the CO2 emissions from the hotels’ consumption of electricity and heating.