Hyatt 2020 Vision Sees Clear Goals for Environment

According to its most recent Corporate Responsibility Report, Hyatt Hotels has set its sights on a more environmentally friendly design with its "Hyatt 2020 Vision" plan. The report incorporates its mission to involve the use of sustainable design, including Hyatt’s requirements for all new construction and major renovation projects. Starting 2015, the hotel chain will be requiring contracted projects for their full-service hotels to achieve LEED certification or its equivalent.

In addition, Hyatt also aims that its three regions will take part in their reduction goal in terms of energy and water use as well as minimize greenhouse emissions by 25 percent per square meter. Every managed hotel will also start to recycle of divert their waste from landfill by 40 percent.

So how will the company achieve their reduction goals? Hyatt has invested in energy efficient upgrades in HVAC systems, lighting, and in kitchen and laundry equipment. Around 2013, Hyatt implemented around 200 energy reduction projects to reduce GHG emission by as much as 20,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year.

Water reduction can be achieved by recycling water in possible areas. The chain has also encouraged their partners in developing innovative water efficient solutions such as installing water-efficient fixtures, laundry and washing equipment as well as conserving water in their landscaping.. Around 2013, 66 percent of Hyatt’s full-service hotels all over the globe have 90% of their guest rooms with low-flow toilets.

To minimize waste, the company has reduced their generated waste products and participated in recycling and reuse programs. Around 50 percent of their hotels are constantly donating untouched food, furniture, electronics and gently used toiletries to charities. Hyatt also partnered with Orlando-based nonprofit organization “Clean the World” to donate excess shampoos and soaps to impoverished parts of the world.

When it comes to sustainable design, Hyatt reported that fourteen of the company’s properties are already certified with LEED certification by mid-2014. Around 80 percent of their hotels are using energy efficient interior lights. Around 50% of their hotels have filmed windows while 32 percent already have green roofs. Nineteen of Hyatt’s hotels are already using solar, wind and geothermal energy as their power source.

Aside from their pursuit of sustainable design, Hyatt also donates to literacy programs including a $750,000 investment for career-readiness program in Brazil and donating 35,000 books to Room to Read in India and We Give Books which distributes books around the world.