Marriott Pledges $2 Million to Protect Brazilian Rainforest

By GreenBiz Staff
Published April 9, 2008

Business Operations

Facilities

;

Carbon Offsets

;

Goals & Commitments

;

Your Email: *

Your Name: *

Send To: *
Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.

You are going to email the following: Marriott Pledges $2 Million to Protect Brazilian Rainforest

Message Subject: (Your Name) has sent you a message from GreenBizSite

Message Body: (Your Name) thought you would like to see the GreenBizSite web site.

Your Personal Message: *
Digg
Del.icio.us
Reddit
Stumble Upon

BETHESDA, Md. -- Marriott International will commit $2 million to protect an endangered rainforest in the Brazilian state of Amazonas. The company is also furthering its environmental goals for reducing energy, greening its supply chain and cutting water use.

This week Marriott and the state of Amazonas signed an agreement aimed at protecting the 1.4 million acre Juma Sustainable Development reserve from deforestation. The $2 million will go to the Amazonas Sustainable Foundation, which will monitor and enforce protection of the reserve as well as support employment, education and healthcare for the reserve's 500 residents.

By the end of the year, Marriott guests will be able to contribute to the fund through what will be billed as a carbon offset. Guests will be able to calculate and pay the cost of greenhouse gas emissions associated with their hotel stays.

In terms of other environmental goals, Marriott plans to reduce fuel and water use by 25 percent, per available room, by 2018, and install solar power systems at up to 40 hotels by 2017. The company also aims to work with its top 40 vendors to get them to supply price-neutral greener products. Items the company plans to purchase or consider include recycled plastic pens, towels that do not need an initial wash cycle, compostable key cards and recyclable carpet.

To promote green building, the company aims to have new hotels sited, designed and constructed in line with LEED standards by the end of 2009. It is also hoping to gain LEED-Existing Building status for its Bethesda, Md., headquarters.

Your Email: *

Your Name: *

Send To: *
Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.

You are going to email the following: Marriott Pledges $2 Million to Protect Brazilian Rainforest

Message Subject: (Your Name) has sent you a message from GreenBizSite

Message Body: (Your Name) thought you would like to see the GreenBizSite web site.

Your Personal Message: *
Digg
Del.icio.us
Reddit
Stumble Upon