This year’s Planet 21 Day, the annual date calling for action by hotels to promote sustainable development, was celebrated on April 21st by the group’s hotels in Greater China. This year’s theme was Every Ecogesture Counts, which inspired a variety of innovative and creative initiatives involving stakeholders across all levels from the local community to hotel owners, partners, guests and staff members.
As a leader in hospitality corporate social responsibility, Planet 21 demonstrates the group’s ambitious goal of sustainable development by 2020, based around four major pillars - employees, customers, partners and local communities. Special events focused on diverse subjects from Education, NGO Support, Sports, Clean-Up, Food Waste to Urban Gardening.
Clean-Up
Pullman Dongguan Forum helped move the city’s abandoned shared bikes to suitable locations where they do not obstruct traffic or pedestrians. Pullman Zhouzhuang showed their respect for “Water” by dredging water plants and removing rubbish from the lake. Grand Mercure Jinan Sunshine protected the migratory bird habitat by cleaning the Tai’an Tianyi Lake and its surroundings.
Education
Sofitel Xining organised a Sustainability Forum at which invited NGOs and guest speakers shared ideas on sustainability and ways in which corporate support can help protect the planet. Pullman Nanjing Lukou Airport staff shared their creative ideas about Treasure from Waste.
Food Waste
Fairmont Yangcheng Lake suggested to hotel wedding hosts that leftover banquet food should be donated via volunteers from Suzhou Stray Animals organisation for feeding the city’s animal strays.
NGO Support
In cooperation with Shanghai Rende Foundation, Fairmont Chengdu visited the Rose Valley in Liangshan County, and planted over 5,000 roses to help the local economy.
Sports
Pullman Nanchang Wanda made four commitments for “0” Impact Day: Low Carbon-Walk to work; Health - No Smoking; Clear Your Plate – Reduce Food Waste; No Air-conditioner/Elevator – Save Energy. Sofitel Guiyang Hunter organised a Vertical Marathon with 300 participants from all over China and the rest of the world to encourage people to be less reliant on lifts, using stairs in keeping with the city’s lifestyle approach and AccorHotels’ Planet 21 initiative to protect the earth and boost physical fitness.
Urban Gardening
AccorHotels encourages hotels to establish their own Urban Gardens to raise healthy, fresh and environmentally-friendly food, optimize organic waste treatment, make otherwise unused areas more attractive and motivate team members. Over 20 hotels in Greater China including Fairmont Yangcheng Lake, Pullman Changshu Leeman and Grand Mercure Shenzhen Oriental have literally brought farm to table by participating in this project.
“This year more Hotels than ever before collaborated on local projects which is very impressive and it’s great to see hotels showing great initiative and sharing their creative ideas,” said Cory Winter, Vice President Food & Beverage, Chairman, Corporate Social Responsibility Steering Committee, AccorHotels Greater China. “We are delighted to see hotels engaging local community members who show so much interest and understanding of environment protection. This reinforces the importance for AccorHotels to continue our efforts to raise awareness through our various CSR initiatives under the Planet 21 program.”