Hospitality chain Accor Group has launched Planet 21 an environment sustainability programme.
Part of the Group’s core strategy, Planet 21 seeks to address environmental, social and community development aspects holistically by taking up several initiatives.
Mr Paul Archer, General Manager Delegate of Accor Group in Andhra Pradesh said, “WithPlanet 21, we are making 21 new commitments and the same number of quantified goals for 2015. These include using eco-labelled products, 15 per cent reduction in water consumption, and 10 per cent decrease in energy use at Accor’s owned and leased hotels worldwide.”
Planet 21 refers to Agenda 21, the environmental action plan signed by 173 heads of State at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. The focus is on the need to change methods of production and consumption patterns to ensure the sustainability of the planet.
The Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre has taken up these challenges to drive these initiatives engaging its staff, customers and community. The programme will see Accor employees and guests contributing back to environment.
Apart from engaging NGOs and customers, all employees will play a role in achieving long term goals of changing the way we function, he explained.
Accor properties work towards improving the environment while contributing to reduction in consumption of natural resources and preserving and supporting biodiversity, he said.
The Group plans to plant one tree per employee in the Asia Pacific region which will contribute to planting 40,000 trees.
Novotel Hyderabad and Ibis Gurgaon have undertaken initiatives in India to ensure success of Planet 21 in partnership with local and disadvantaged communities.
Globally, Accor manages more than 4,400 hotels across different brands. In Andhra Pradesh it manages five properties including a convention centre.