Top London Hotels and Attractions sign up to Go Green

Over thirty high profile London hotels and attractions have signed up to earn awards for their environmental credentials under the London Development Agency’s Green Tourism for London scheme.

Applicants including the Ritz, the O2 Centre, London Zoo, the Royal Lancaster Hotel and the Cavendish have began to implement their own tailor made 'green action plans'.
 
The scheme, launched in October 2007, aims to help improve the environmental performance of the tourism industry and enable tourists to choose the greenest places to visit during their stay.
 
Businesses signing up to Green Tourism for London receive one-to-one advice about how they can reduce their energy and water bills, responsibly deal with their waste, and procure environmentally friendly products. Once the businesses are ready, an advisor returns to assess their progress and present them with a bronze, silver or gold award. 
 
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said:

"It is welcome news that some of the main players in London's tourism industry have signed up to this scheme to go green. This is a win win opportunity, helping people identify organisations that are playing their part to save the planet, and helping businesses save money from reduced energy bills.

"The London Climate Change Action Plan, launched last year, shows that London can achieve a 60 per cent reduction in carbon emissions to avert catastrophic climate change. The only way we can achieve this ambitious target is by every individual and businesses taking action to become less wasteful. I hope other tourism businesses will follow the lead set today and help us make London a leading green destination."
 
Chief Executive of the LDA Manny Lewis said:  
 
"All of London’s businesses have a responsibility to help prevent runaway climate change. In signing up to the Green Tourism for London scheme these hotels and attractions are not just doing their bit for the environment but are making huge savings in their energy and water costs. I would encourage all hotels across the capital to get assessed, earn their awards and help ensure London continues to lead the way in tackling global warming." 
 
Visit London Chief Executive James Bidwell said:

"Climate change is perhaps the most critical issue facing the planet today and all industries have a part to play, in particular the tourism industry. Visit London, together with the LDA, is committed to minimising the capital’s carbon footprint and the Green Tourism scheme provides critical assistance to London businesses. So far some of London’s best known hotels and attractions have signed up to the scheme and I would urge others to follow." 
 
Property Manager for the Cavendish Hotel Peter Caddy said: 
 
"Joining the Green Tourism for London scheme makes good business sense. It’s not about paying 'lip service' to climate change concerns but about putting environmental sustainability at the heart of what we do. In implementing our green action plan, we have managed to cut costs, and remain ahead of the game in a competitive market."

Businesses wishing to enter the scheme can call Green Business UK on 0845 863 0770 or london@green-business.co.uk to request an application pack. For more information see  Green Tourism for London. For media enquiries, please contact Luke Robinson at the LDA Media Team on 020 7593 8069, email lukerobinson@lda.gov.uk or Robyn Griffith-Jones at LiveTourism on 020 8404 3293

Notes to editors

1. Energy use at hotels and visitor accommodation in London results in the emission of about 0.7 m tonnes per year (the London total is 44 m tonnes). Heating and lighting are the largest contributors (68%). A small reduction in emissions would make a significant contribution to reducing London’s carbon footprint. Car transport accounts for 110 grams of CO2 per passenger kilometre compared to 80 for bus and 60 for rail and underground (Transport for London). 
2. Cost savings. Businesses that develop a simple environmental policy after an advisory visit can typically achieve 30% savings in energy bills with small investment and can reduce the amount going to landfill by up to 50% per year. 
3. Green Tourism for London is based on the Green Tourism Business Scheme started in Scotland in 1997 and which now has over 1400 members. It has been adapted to meet the special circumstances of London and all the criteria are adapted to reflect the Mayor’s policies on climate change.
4. Independent auditors use 150 separate measures of sustainability, including use of energy and water, as well as waste disposal and purchasing procedures. The awards also recognise businesses that actively promote public transport, local cultural activities and London’s open spaces.
5. Since October 2007 over 60 businesses have expressed interest in the scheme and 30 have received their advisory visits. Applicants include the Canal Museum at Kings Cross, ZSL London Zoo, the O2 Centre, the London Wetland Centre, the Mayfair Conference Centre, Physic Garden and Bateaux London. Applicants also include a full range of hotels from the five-star Ritz to the three-star Bingham Hotel in Richmond on Thames and also include The Cavendish Hotel, One Aldwych, the Royal Lancaster Hotel, Novotel London West, the Park Inn at Heathrow and the K West Hotel and Spa. 
6. Members of GTL receive on-line support including news and downloadable newsletters, bulletin board and discount offers and a members’ area with technical information on energy efficiency, waste minimisation and water conservation. Members have access to case studies, examples of wording for environmental policies, customer questionnaires, staff awareness programmes and also receive free half-day workshops.