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WA's first carbon neutral hotel issues a challenge to all

As WA's largest four-star hotel celebrates becoming the first in the state to be declared carbon neutral, its owner has issued a challenge to WA businesses to get serious about saving the planet.

Marylyn New, managing director of the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle, has used World Environment Day (Tuesday June 5) to urge other organisations to reduce their damaging carbon footprints.

“For us, the journey from joining the Australian Government’s Greenhouse Challenge ten years ago to becoming the first AAA Tourism accredited Green Stars hotel in WA in 2001, and to now becoming carbon neutral, has been extraordinarily rewarding,” Ms New said.

“Climate change and greenhouse emissions present pressing global challenges – challenges that will only be successfully resolved if the majority of individuals, and businesses put the issue right at the top of their priority list.”

In the past decade, the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle has taken many steps to reduce its environmental footprint including recycling programs, cutting water use, installing energy-saving light globes, computer controlled air-conditioning and using solar power.

Its recent carbon neutral status has been achieved by securing 9.6 hectares of rainforest in Ecuador through Rainforest Rescue to offset the Hotel’s remaining carbon emissions. As part of Ms New’s ongoing environmental commitment, she has also recently bought an eco-friendly Citroen C4.

“‘Living a cleaner dream’ can be a reality – small changes can have a big impact so the more people that join the fight to save our planet, the better off we’ll all be,” said Ms New.

Fremantle Mayor Peter Tagliaferri congratulated the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle for its leadership in tackling climate change.

“As a Council, we are committed to environmental and social responsibility and, as such, we are delighted with the Esplanade’s achievements – they are yet another jewel in Fremantle’s ‘green’ crown and are setting a wonderful example,” he said.

The City of Fremantle has already embraced the Kyoto agreement and developed exciting programs such as Travel Smart and Living Smart for the Workplace as part of their commitment to helping local businesses and residents reduce their carbon footprints.

Rainforest Rescue’s executive officer Kelvin Davies said he was thrilled that the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle had become the first major business sponsor of its Ecuador ‘Save a Hectare’ Project.

“With an estimated 30% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions caused by the burning and destruction of rainforests, it is essential that we protect our rainforests if we wish to address climate change,” he said.

“Rainforest Rescue applauds the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle for offsetting their business carbon footprint by protecting the Cloud Forests of Ecuador, and thus helping to save one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet.”

Details: www.rainforestrescue.org.au

Media contact: Natalie Papadopoulos m: 0407 984 435

The Esplanade Hotel Fremantle: A ‘Green’ Journey
The Esplanade Hotel Fremantle signed onto the Federal Government’s Greenhouse Challenge in 1997. Through Greenhouse Challenge, Australian companies help to lead the way against climate change, by reducing millions of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year. In 2007, The Esplanade Hotel Fremantle proudly celebrates its ten year anniversary of being part of this initiative.

Building on her environmental commitment, Ms New secured the hotel its AAA Tourism Green Star accreditation in 2001. The Esplanade Hotel Fremantle was the first WA hotel to receive its Green Stars. The Hotel is committed to all aspects of environmental sustainability focusing on:
Recycling
Reducing water use
Using environmentally friendly products
Energy management
Reducing the production of greenhouse gases
Solar hot water heating

2007 has become another landmark year for the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle, with Ms New’s environmentally-friendly vehicle purchase (a Citroen C4) and the Hotel’s recently achieved carbon neutral status. The Esplanade Hotel Fremantle’s new carbon neutral status has been established by securing 9.6 hectares of rainforest in Ecuador through Rainforest Rescue. This is part of an ongoing commitment to offset the Hotel’s remaining carbon emissions. Still standing strong with much of its original architecture, the building embodies the past of Fremantle and heralds in the future as a shining example with its environmentally responsible business practices.

For more information:
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/challenge/
http://aaatourism.com.au/pdf/Green%20STARS%20fact%20sheet.pdf
http://www.rainforestrescue.org.au/