Environmental Training and Measures at Scandic Hotels Sweden

Environmental Training and Measures at Scandic Hotels, Sweden Paulina Bohdanowicz, Branko Simanic, Ivo Martinac Sustainable Building Systems Dept. of Energy Technology Royal Institute of Technology BEST Sustainable Tourism Think Tank IV: “Sustainability and Mass Destinations: Challenges and Possibilities” July 1, 2004

Scandic in Sweden – 65 + 4

The Development of an Environmental Program at Scandic 1993 – Goal: “one of the most environmentally friendly hotel chains” 1994 – The Natural Step concept In a sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing… 1. …concentrations of substances extracted from the Earth’s crust, 2. …concentrations of substances produced by society, 3. …degradation by physical means, and in that society… 4. …humans needs are met worldwide. BEST Sustainable Tourism Think Tank IV: “Sustainability and Mass Destinations: Challenges and Possibilities” July 1, 2004

The Natural Step at Scandic • Environmental guide • Environmental meetings • Environmental program • Environmental barometer – inactive (Nordic Swan) • Environmental Index – inactive (Nordic Swan) • Resource Hunt Program – – • Scandic Utility System Database Hilton Environmental Reporting Best in the Class BEST Sustainable Tourism Think Tank IV: “Sustainability and Mass Destinations: Challenges and Possibilities” July 1, 2004

The Natural Step at Scandic • Scandic Supplier Declaration – Eco-labelled products – “green” electricity - hydro – Eco-food – KRÅV breakfasts • 97% recyclable room, environmental hotel • Scandic Environmental Construction Standard • Nordic Swan eco-certification of Scandic hotels in Sweden (and Norway) • Network of environmental coordinators BEST Sustainable Tourism Think Tank IV: “Sustainability and Mass Destinations: Challenges and Possibilities” July 1, 2004

Scandic Utility System • • – – – • Intranet-based data collecting system Monthly reports documenting the consumption of electricity for appliances and heating, energy in the form of district heating and cooling, fuels for heating and other purposes (oil, propane/butane, towngas, LPG), water and unsorted waste, other key parameters (property area, number of guestnights, turnover) Only those Scandic Swedish hotels providing complete monthly reports on energy, water and waste-related data and number of guestnights have been selected BEST Sustainable Tourism Think Tank IV: “Sustainability and Mass Destinations: Challenges and Possibilities” July 1, 2004

Resource Hunt - Energy • 1996 -1998 – 23% reduction, k. Wh/guestnight basis (Scandic Nordic) • 1996 -2003 – 15% reduction , k. Wh/m 2 basis (Scandic Sweden) • 1996 -2003 – 12% reduction , k. Wh/guestnight basis (Scandic Sweden) (only properly reporting hotels included) BEST Sustainable Tourism Think Tank IV: “Sustainability and Mass Destinations: Challenges and Possibilities” July 1, 2004

Resource Hunt - Water • 1996 -1998 – 12% reduction, liter/guestnight basis (Scandic Nordic) • 1996 -2003 – 9% reduction , m 3/m 2 basis (Scandic Sweden) • 1996 -2003 – 8% reduction , liter/guestnight basis (Scandic Sweden) (only properly reporting hotels included) BEST Sustainable Tourism Think Tank IV: “Sustainability and Mass Destinations: Challenges and Possibilities” July 1, 2004

Resource Hunt - Waste • 1996 -1998 – 38% reduction, kg/guestnight basis (Scandic Nordic) • 1996 -2003 – 52% reduction , kg/m 2 basis (Scandic Sweden) • 1996 -2003 – 48% reduction , kg/guestnight basis (Scandic Sweden) (only properly reporting hotels included) BEST Sustainable Tourism Think Tank IV: “Sustainability and Mass Destinations: Challenges and Possibilities” July 1, 2004

• • • Managers Survey Methodology E-mail based survey Questionnaire: 23 multiple-choice questions, and few open-ended follow up comments Stage 1: October to December 2002 Stage 2: June 2003 (support from Environmental Director) 65 Scandic + 4 Hilton hotels Response rate 71. 01% (49) BEST Sustainable Tourism Think Tank IV: “Sustainability and Mass Destinations: Challenges and Possibilities” July 1, 2004

Benefits of Corporate Environmental Policy • Environmental protection – essential for the performance and further development of the tourism industry • Environmental impacts caused by hotels are medium to significant (medium 56. 3%, significant 43. 7%) • Serious concern for the environment • Knowledge of activities aimed at developing “greener” hotels • Knowledge about institutions dealing with environmental issues in the hotel industry BEST Sustainable Tourism Think Tank IV: “Sustainability and Mass Destinations: Challenges and Possibilities” July 1, 2004

Environmental Activities BEST Sustainable Tourism Think Tank IV: “Sustainability and Mass Destinations: Challenges and Possibilities” July 1, 2004

Incentives BEST Sustainable Tourism Think Tank IV: “Sustainability and Mass Destinations: Challenges and Possibilities” July 1, 2004

International Recognition • Eco-room concept was given the “ 1999 European Design and Development Award” • The International Hotel and Restaurant Association named Scandic as “Highly Recommended” in 2001 • The chain received the “Environmental Award” in 2002 BEST Sustainable Tourism Think Tank IV: “Sustainability and Mass Destinations: Challenges and Possibilities” July 1, 2004

The Importance of Role-Models • Environmental concern – corporate responsibility & environmental improvements in an entire chain • Positive influence on Hilton – Eco-learning – Hilton Environmental Reporting – Eco-labelling BEST Sustainable Tourism Think Tank IV: “Sustainability and Mass Destinations: Challenges and Possibilities” July 1, 2004

Conclusions • Extensive training & environmental work – Scandic team members well updated on environmental issues • SUS – tracking changes in resource consumption patterns • Resource Hunt – direct financial benefits (USD 800 000 in 1997 alone) • More healthy work environment • Team members proud of their achievements (Swan and KRÅV labels) • Image of environmental commitment BEST Sustainable Tourism Think Tank IV: “Sustainability and Mass Destinations: Challenges and Possibilities” July 1, 2004

Thank You