Wyndham Worldwide is participating in the Earth Hour global initiative by turning its lights down and encouraging energy conservation. This is the fifth year that Wyndham Worldwide will join Earth Hour to raise awareness of global energy efforts.
The Company is recognizing Earth Hour at its corporate headquarters in Parsippany, N.J., by switching off its lights during the hour and encouraging associates to turn off lights, monitors and other electronics before leaving the building. Additionally, Wyndham Worldwide is encouraging its global portfolio of brands to participate by turning off or dimming non-essential lighting, with some properties also planning creative offerings for guests such as candlelight dinners.
Organized by the World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour 2014 will take place Saturday, March 29, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time. During the hour, individuals, businesses, and governments around the world turn out their lights to demonstrate their commitment to environmentally sustainable action. Since its start in 2007, the annual event has grown into the single largest mass participation event in the world with more than 5 million supporters in over 150 countries.
“As one of the largest hospitality companies with more than 100,000 locations in nearly 100 countries, we have an ever increasing opportunity, and responsibility as a corporate citizen, to be a leader in reducing our impact on the environment,” said Faith Taylor, senior vice president of sustainability for Wyndham Worldwide. “Our participation in the Earth Hour global initiative is one way we help raise awareness of the importance of energy conservation and our commitment to sustainable business practices across our properties.”
Through its corporate social responsibility program, Wyndham Worldwide integrates sustainability, diversity, philanthropy, human rights, and responsible corporate governance and business practices into its culture and how its businesses operate around the world.
Wyndham Worldwide’s sustainable practices are created and driven by the Company’s Wyndham Green program, which focuses on sustainability across the Company and serves as one of its top five strategic priorities. Launched in 2006, the program is based on the Company’s vision and core values, of enhancing customers’ lives by improving the environment, supporting global and local communities, and developing sustainable programs that deliver economic benefits. Wyndham Green delivers “triple bottom line” results for people, planet and profits, while also driving its leadership in the industry and providing the mechanism to turn innovative ideas into achievable results.
“We are continuously developing eco-friendly efforts across our hospitality portfolio to meaningfully reduce our energy use and further demonstrate our commitment to advancing sustainability best practices,” said Taylor. “Through our Wyndham Green program, we are committed to exploring and adopting innovative environmental practices, as it reduces costs, fosters the efficient use of resources, and ultimately supports both near- and long-term profitability. We believe that we can do well by “doing good.”
