Accor Voted in Top 100 for Sustainability

MEDIA RELEASE
14 February 2008

Accor Voted in Top 100 for Sustainability

Accor has recently been named in the world's 100 most sustainable companies and is the only international hotel group listed.

"This recognition reflects Accor's strong global commitment to sustainability and it is an honour to be named at the top of our industry," says Accor's Vice President for New Zealand and Fiji Paul Richardson.

"We pride ourselves on our commitment to sustainability and in 2006 Accor launched its international 'Earth Guest' program, which encompasses both our social and environmental projects in different countries. The program's purpose is to improve and introduce innovations that not only provide customers with superior comfort and service, but also benefit people and the environment.

"This program is part of our global best practice, which is of course carried out in New Zealand, where we initiate projects that address issues specific to the people and places in our local communities."

Accor has an international 65-point Environmental Charter for the group's entire network of more than 4000 hotels and resorts in nearly 100 countries. The charter covers initiatives that promote and improve sustainability, such as reducing water and energy consumption, recycling of packaging and waste materials and choosing suppliers who embrace sustainable environmental practices, as well as social schemes such as child protection.

Innovest, an international investment advisory firm, officially launched the fourth Innovest Strategic Value Advisors Global 100 list of the most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January. Companies were evaluated according to how effectively they manage environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities, relative to their industry peers.

"A commitment to sustainability is becoming ever more crucial for businesses, both to protect our environment and society and because of the increasing regulations by government and other companies. Sustainability is both an ethical and a business responsibility," says Mr Richardson.
Accor, the European leader and a major global group in hotels, the global leader in services to corporate clients and public institutions, operates in nearly 100 countries with 170,000 employees. It offers to its clients over 40 years of expertise in its two core businesses:
- Hotels, with the Sofitel, Pullman, Novotel, Mercure, Suitehotel, Ibis, all seasons, Etap Hotel, Formule 1 and Motel 6 brands, representing more than 4,000 hotels and nearly 500,000 rooms in 90 countries, as well as strategically related activities, such as Lenôtre.
- Services, with 30 million people in 40 countries benefiting from Accor Services products in human resources, marketing services and expense management.

ENDS

© Scoop Media