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News for the Hospitality Executive |
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Marriott International Develops Integrated Strategy to
Address Climate Change
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Signs Agreement with the Brazilian State of Amazonas
to Help Protect
1.4 million Acres of Endangered Brazilian Rainforest
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| Bethesda, Md. � April 7, 2008 � Marriott International,
Inc. (NYSE: MAR) and the state of Amazonas today signed an agreement to
support the first project of its kind to help protect 1.4 million acres
of endangered rainforest. This innovative partnership between government
and the private sector is one of the first in the world to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions from deforestation. Marriott has committed $2 million to
fund an environmental management plan administered by the newly created
Amazonas Sustainable Foundation. By year end, Marriott guests and group
customers will also be able to offset the greenhouse gas emissions generated
from their hotel stays by contributing to this rainforest fund. In addition
to offering this carbon offset, Marriott is taking new steps to reduce
the company�s water, waste and energy consumption; green its supply chain;
build greener hotels; and engage employees and guests to take action.
. 
Left to Right: Amazonas Governor Eduardo Braga, Bill Marriott, Dr. Virgilio M. Viana of the Amazonas Sustainable Foundation �At Marriott, we believe the future of business is green,� says Arne Sorenson, Chief Financial Officer and co-chair of the company�s Green Council. �Building on a 20-year track record of responsible energy consumption and waste reduction, we believe rainforest preservation is critical to reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.� �This is the first project on reducing emissions from deforestation in Brazil and one of the first in the world,� said Amazonas Governor Eduardo Braga. �This agreement between the government of Amazonas and Marriott will make history because it demonstrates how rainforest preservation can be used as a climate strategy.� Amazonas is the largest state of Brazil in area, located in the northern part of the country. To reduce and offset its global environmental footprint, which it has
calculated at 2.9 million metric tons of CO2 emissions annually*�or .030
metric tons (65.5 pounds) per available room �Marriott has developed a
five-point strategy in collaboration with Conservation International, a
global conservation organization. This includes:
�With thousands of hotels around the world, Marriott has the scale to make a strong positive contribution to the environment,� says Glenn Prickett, Senior Vice President and Executive Director, Center for Environmental Leadership in Business, Conservation International. �By reducing its own environmental footprint and protecting forests, Marriott is addressing the major drivers of climate change � energy use and deforestation - while also delivering compelling environmental and sustainable development benefits. We take pride in working with Marriott and other leading companies to identify meaningful ways to address climate change.� �We are all guests on this planet, and that�s why an integrated green strategy is a business imperative,� says Kathleen Matthews, Executive Vice President of Global Communications and Public Affairs and co-chair of Marriott�s Green Council. Marriott has been actively involved in energy conservation for more than 20 years, and over the last decade, replaced 450,000 light bulbs with fluorescent lighting, introduced linen reuse programs, and installed 400,000 low-flow showerheads and toilets at its hotels worldwide. The company has also helped communities around the world through environmental clean-up projects. These industry-leading efforts have been recognized by the EPA, which awarded Marriott with its 2008 Sustained Excellence award and placed the ENERGY STAR® label on more than 250 of its hotels (the most of any hotel company). * Calculating Marriott�s Carbon Footprint: To calculate
its carbon footprint of 2.9 million metric tons of CO2 emissions annually�or
.030 metric tons (65.5 pounds) per available room�the company assessed
the electricity and gas consumption in its guest rooms and public spaces
at its nearly 1,000 managed hotels worldwide, as well as at its headquarters
building and regional offices. Employee travel was also included. The calculation
will be certified by a recognized third party in the coming months.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with about 3,000 lodging properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. |
| Contact:
Stephanie Hampton
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