Fairmont Hotels’ focus on global food issues can be seen in its Green Cuisine Menu and steps such as removing Shark’s Fin Soup from its menus.

Fairmont Singapore promises to only use sustainable, locally produced and organically grown products whenever possible. In 2008 it began growing its own herb garden and also creates its own compost, which serves as a fertiliser. Later this year the hotel will introduce a comprehensive Sustainable Seafood Guide in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Staff education
Last December, the hotel took 35 volunteers and department representatives to visit the Waterways Watch Singapore at the Kallang and Singapore Rivers. This year Fairmont Singapore will trial products that convert air into water in an effort to replace water dispensers.

Good results
Crowne Plaza Shenzhen is another regional innovator and announced its Green Globe Silver status in November. The hotel is improving its environmental performance through pollution prevention and increased staff awareness, such as its use of the ozone-aided washing technique in its laundry to minimise freshwater and steam consumption.

“Companies and consumers have become more concerned about the environment and prefer to stay with green-conscious hotels that share the same environmental values,” says hotel manager Chris Buggelsheim.