See the complete report on Earth Guest day 2009

Earth Guest day 2009
Accor’s commitment to sustainable development
Accor's ambition is to ensure that our growth is part of a virtuous circle of sustainable
development for the human communities in which we live. This is the meaning of the Earth
Guest program launched in 2006, which strives for the well-being of man and respect for the
environment.
Local development, child protection fight against epidemics and healthy food, these are the
four priority subjects of the EGO project, through which the Group promotes well-being for
its employees, guests and human communities surrounding its activities
Energy, water, waste and biodiversity, the ECO project of the Earth Guest program is based
on these four other priorities.
In all these areas, Accor has set up indicators to measure the progress achieved and set
ambitious objectives.
Earth Guest day: a day of worldwide mobilization
Earth Guest day represents the climax of the actions undertaken by Accor employees
throughout the year that fulfil the social and environmental commitments of the Earth Guest
program. This is a strong moment of employee and guest mobilization to swell the dynamics
of the projects implemented in favour of sustainable development.
The third edition of the Accor employee day for sustainable development was held on April
22, 2009, International Earth day.
77 COUNTRIES MOBILIZED!
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Africa, the Middle-East and the Indian Ocean: 21 countries
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Asia Pacific: 19 countries
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North America: 2 countries
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Northern Europe: 16 countries
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South America and the Caribbean: 14 countries
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Southern Europe: 5 countries
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
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Brands and businesses international actions
Accor Services
environment
This year, the Accor Services offices focused their action on introducing the Accor
Offices Environment Charter in order to improve their impact on the environment.
Sofitel
biodiversity
In late 2008, Sofitel launched its sustainable development approach. In addition to the implementation
of the 8 priorities of the Earth Guest program, Sofitel chose to particularly highlight the protection of
biodiversity. For Earth Guest day, Sofitel consequently decided to implement actions related to the
protection of biodiversity in all Sofitel hotels: tree planting, cleaning up of natural areas, promotion of
organic food, awareness raising actions on biodiversity preservation…
CWL
local development, water
For a month, CWL set up a specific action: in the various countries were the company is settled, water
bottles were sold and between 5 and 10% of the proceeds were gathered to finance a project set up
by employees of the Mercure Silmandé in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: build a water well in a village
80km away from Ouagadougou. Digging this well costs about 10,000€.
In 2004, some employees of the Mercure Silmandé hotel of Ouagadougou created an association
called Song Manégré, aiming at contributing to the fight against the poverty in the village in a
sustainable way. To achieve this, the association also plans to act for environment protection to
increase farm production.
The Mercure Silmandé team and Song Manégré proposed to CWL to finance the digging of a
waterwell in Galla, a village of the Sanmatenga region, 80 km away from the capital city. The 500
inhabitants of this village do not have direct access to water and have to walk 10 km to fetch it.
There are three steps in the construction: the drilling, the consolidation and the installation of a manual
pump. The well has been built to last, with cemented inner surface.
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
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Africa, the Middle-East and the Indian Ocean
Algeria
biodiversity, local development
The employees of the Sofitel Algiers Hamma Garden, Mercure Airport and ibis Airport planted trees,
increased green areas and renovated electric equipment in a centre for mentally handicapped people.
Bahrain
biodiversity, waste
The Al Dana Novotel and the Mercure Seef hotels’ employees visited the Al-Areen Wildlife Park and
cleaned up the park from branches.
Benin
waste
The ibis and Novotel hotels of Benin took Earth Guest day
opportunity to officially launch their waste sorting system,
conjugating Environment and Art. Here is the principle: the
hotels sort their waste in the rooms and in the restaurants
and collect them in a dedicated place. Artists collect it and
use it in order to give them a second life (in conformity with
the hotel engagements as far as environment is concerned).
The hotels brought together local school children to raise
their awareness on the impact of waste on their environment
and to make them participate in workshops animated by the
artists.
Burkina Faso
local development, waste
The Mercure Silmandé, in partnership with the association Song Manégré (created by some of the
hotel employees) and CWL participated in a well-construction project for the inhabitants of Galla, a
village 80 km away from Ouagadougou (see CWL).
Cameroun
water
The ibis Douala hotel raised its employees and guests’ awareness on the water issue.
Chad
biodiversity
The employees of the Novotel N’Djamena La Tchadienne participated in the creation of a public park
with the N’Djamena’s town council.
Côte d’Ivoire
biodiversity, waste, local development
The four Accor hotels are currently ending the
program called “10, 000 trees for the Côte d’Ivoire”
launched for the first edition of Earth Guest day in
2007. It is a four-step program aiming at
participating in the reforestation of the country. The
trees are rubber trees and can be used to make
rubber. This project also supports local development
as the tree nursery will be managed by young
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people who will get professional training. The 28
March, the hotel employees officially launched the
last step of the program for the village of Damé:
trees plant on a four-hectare field. The local
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
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authorities as well as the media were also present.
Egypt
local development, biodiversity
More than 150 employees of the Sofitel Winter
Palace planted about 50 new trees in the hotel
garden, along with their guests and children from
local schools.
In Sharm el-Sheikh, Sofitel employees were
informed on sustainable development issues and
participated in tree planting actions. Novotel
employees along with the guests participated in a
plant and flower painting competition. Then they
cleaned up the Namaa Bay beach and planted
trees. There were also awareness actions through
games for children and presentations.
In Cairo, the Novotel 6 October Cairo employees
launched tree and palm tree planting actions around the hotel. The M/S Scarabee employees cleaned
up areas nearby, along the Nile River bank.
The Mercure Ismalia was engaged in a planting action around the recent organic farm.
At Mercure Luxor, the 75 employees and their guests Luxor participated in cleaning actions and tree
planting.
Dahab is a seaside town, located on the East cost of the Sinai Peninsula. This region is a desert
where about 5,000 Bedouins live. They suffer from the lack of drinkable water. The Coralia Dahab
Club associates who transformed hotel gardens into organic farm last year, have had this year the
idea of building a well in a nearby valley, in order to supply the Bedouin people in fresh water. This
project was carried out in partnership with the local authorities, and the well is accessible by anybody.
The well digging was made in several steps: location of the best available place in the Nuweiba
region, contacts with drilling companies drilling, preparation of the areas near the well and purchase of
the pump.
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The well was inaugurated twice: first on March 24 , during the Sinai National Day, with the local
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authorities of Dahab region and second on Earth Guest day, April 22 , with the employees, Accor
participants and Coralia Dahab Club guests.
On this occasion, the employees placed a large marble sign, reflecting Accor project and the Group
engagement in sustainable development. This sign is visible from the road and a lot of tourists come
here, as it is on the way to Saint Catherine monastery.
Kuwait
biodiversity, waste
The ibis Salmiya employees and guests were informed on
the possible means to conserve water in this arid region of
the globe.
Every team of the hotel pledged to consume and
conserve water in a better way on a daily basis, on the
workplace and at home Training was given to raise their
awareness, campaign slogans were invented and
contests were carried out to stimulate water consumption
reduction in the daily activities. Trained teams transmitted
tips on water conservation to their colleagues and to the
guests via flyers displayed in the rooms.
Since the hotel opening in March 2008, the hotel has
been equipped with water flow regulators in the rooms, kitchen and common areas. Laundry teams
are washing with full loads, thus saving a lot of water.
An Earth Guest Committee has been created. Its objectives are to report the water and energy
consumption and find action plans to minimize these consumptions. The aim is a 15% water
consumption cut by 2010.
Moreover, Earth Guest day 2009 was also the opportunity for the hotel employees to clean up vacant
spaces and Sheikh Nasser Al Sabah Hospital, near the hotel. Tons of waste was evacuated!
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
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Mauritania
water, local development
The Marhaba Mercure hotel of Nouakchott will provide water to a school for blind and dumb during
one year starting on Earth Guest day 2009. This school is settled in a place that lacks water. Earth
Guest day was the occasion to inaugurate the project.
Mauritius
child protection
The Sofitel L’Imperial Resort and Spa employees spent time with children of CEDEM (Centre
d’Education et de Développement pour les Enfants Mauriciens), an NGO aiming at helping children
with special needs (handicapped and abused children). During this day, several activities were
proposed to those children: land and water sport activities, beach games, educational activity, etc.
Morocco
Sofitel
biodiversity, energy
The Sofitel hotels of Fes and Agadir created green areas (flowers, olive and lemon trees). The Sofitel
Essaouira Medina Beach & Spa cleaned up the town beach, helped by students specialized in the
tourism industry. A candle-lit dinner was also organized as a symbol for energy saving.
The Marrakech Sofitel planted 4 orange trees and 4 lemon trees in the hotel garden.
The Rabat Sofitel created a green area. For the occasion, the action was filmed by the Moroccan
television. The action was made in partnership with companies working on the hotel and school
renovation.
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On April 27 , guests and employees, helped by a local partner in charge of waste collecting in ElJedida organized a cleaning operation on the Nour el Kamar beach in El-Jedida.
Accor Hospitality
local development, water
Moreover, Accor financially helped The Hermann Gmeiner school of Aït Ourir for
the finalization of a used water reutilization project. This project is aiming at getting
back the used waters from the playground washbasins and the rain waters in order
to recycle them in a hole and reuse them to provide school plants with water. The
children have already installed canalization between the washbasins and the future
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hole place. On April 22 , there was a large publicity in the media about the event in
the presence of the children, Mohamed VI Foundation for the Environment members, SOS Children’s
Villages association members and Accor employees.
Nigeria
biodiversity, waste
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On March 10 , during an environmental seminar organized by the British Council, the
Sofitel Lagos Moorhouse gave a lecture presenting Accor and the hotel’s actions for
sustainable development. The hotel team gave information to their guests concerning
their environmental engagement: replacing chlorination water treatment by ozone’s
one, saving energy for water boiling, planting trees.
The Novotel Port Harcourt employees built a tap connecting the hotel and the nearest
neighbourhood. , to supply the inhabitants with treated water from the hotel.
Qatar
environment
The Mercure Doha continued its partnership with the Shafalla Center for environmental awareness
raising and professional experience with children with special needs.
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
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Saudi Arabia
water
Accor Saudi Arabia has engaged its hotels in a water consumption
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reduction plan of 5% in the next year. As a result, on April 22 , an
awareness campaign was launched and the employees visited a
sewage water treatment plant and a water desalination plant.
Senegal
child protection
Novotel Dakar raised funds from the customers for the rehabilitation of a dormitory in the island of Joal
Fadouith.
South Africa
water, biodiversity
Accor Hospitality
The South African teams of Accor Hospitality
participated in a lot of projects: every hotel raised
its guests’ awareness on the water conservation
issue, through flyers displayed in their rooms.
Johannesburg hotels, head offices and Accor
Services teams participated in the cleaning of the
Animal Rehabilitation Centre. Other employees
from Pretoria, Johannesburg and Midrand
contributed to the installation of a tap in a
disadvantaged school. Others organized Art
Competitions on the water issue and raised
guests’ awareness. They also built a water recycling system. They organized the cleaning of a bird
sanctuary and its water supply; they cleaned up green areas in collaboration with local communities
(schools, public centres…).
Accor Services
The Environment Charter was launched. The employees received Earth Guest T-shirts and badges.
With Accor Hospitality employees, they also discovered the Lory Sanctuary Park with 50 children from
the local community. This sanctuary uses a water purification system in order to keep water clean.
This system was explained to the children. They also participated in a painting contest. The
employees planted trees and painted a wall mural depicting the water condensation process next to
the water purification system.
Togo
biodiversity
The Mercure Sarakawa in Lomé helped children to discover the biodiversity of the country. To achieve
this, the hotel teams organized educational conference and games in the gardens. Besides, the hotel
is continuing the development of an area dedicated to the Togolese biodiversity.
Tunisia
water
The Coralia Club Hammamet raised its guests and employees’ awareness on water conservation.
They visited a pumping plant before the sewage water treatment and implemented a rainwater
recovery system for the watering.
The Coralia Club Monastir also raised its employees’ awareness on water consumption reduction by
limiting water use 15 minutes every day.
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
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The Coralia and Sofitel Palm Beach Djerba raised the participants’ awareness (employees, children,
guests…) on water recycling systems, traditional irrigation system, laundry management, coast
cleaning…Both hotels are engaged on an awareness campaign in the rooms to reduce laundry
changing and to set up a “one hour without water” action on a regular basis.
Sofitel Palm Beach Tozeur staff participated in the cleaning-up of a road with local authorities and
children of the local community.
The Sofitel Saphir Hammamet broadcast a movie in 3 schools, about water scarcity and the issues it
represents. Moreover, the employees taught the children the good gestures and behaviour to adopt in
order to save water.
United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi
biodiversity, water
The Novotel Abu Dhabi was engaged in several actions: donating blood, cleaning the beach at Auh,
planting trees at Mussafah. The Jebel Hafeet employees raised the awareness of its guests by
distributing flyers with tips on water savings, by wearing T-shirts with the logo Earth Guest. The hotel
shut down the fountain during the day, the water supply during two hours and cut half of the garden
irrigation.
Dubai
biodiversity, water
Accor Majid-Al Futtaim, Novotel and ibis Deira City Centre and ibis and Suitehotel Mall of Emirates
employees visited a water desalination plant in Jabel Ali and their awareness was raised on the
desalination process. Ibis and Suitehotel Mall of Emirates employees cleaned up the Jumeirah public
beach.
Yemen
biodiversity
100 employees from the hotels Al Saaed Hotel and MGallery and those from a water treatment plant,
along with some kids of a nearby school planted 75 trees and cleaned up areas in front of the school.
Moreover, a presentation was given to the children and employees to raise their awareness on
environmental issues.
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
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Asia Pacific
Australia
Accor Hospitality
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water
Over 100 hotels participated in the Earth Guest day 2009 using the theme
of water conservation. Guests were invited to speak about water and its
conservation both at work and in the home. Hotel staff acted as
Ambassadors, wearing Earth Guest T-shirts, to promote this special day.
Here are examples of the Australian actions:
- The Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach reduced water usage for the
outdoors gardens.
- The Mercure Townsville in Queensland’s employees helped
recycling rain water. In fact, the rainy season caused extensive
flooding in this town.
- The Novotel Brisbane of Queensland staff was provided with
drought proof plant seeds to take home. In fact Queensland is a region living with water
restriction. These plants, being native plants, can stand up to the harsh weather conditions
and ensure great gardens while using little water.
In Sydney, employees from the Corporate Office were given a lecture on the group’s water
conservation initiatives around the globe .
In Melbourne, the employees of the hotel ibis Little Bourke Street raised local community
awareness on water issues. Besides, the hotel is part of the Melbourne City Council’s
recycling program.
Sofitel
energy, biodiversity, waste, water
The Melbourne Sofitel encouraged its employees and their friends and/or families to bring their old
mobile phones. They also participated at an awareness campaign on the recycling practices that can
be implemented in the hotel and the house.
The Sofitels Brisbane Central and Werribee Park Mansion Hotel & Spa planted trees.
The Sofitels Gold Coast Broadbeach participated in the program “Tree Planting”. It offered to all its
employees low consumption lights and more eco-friendly bags for shopping. The employees also
participated in an awareness campaign on intern waste recycling and on the ideas about energy
conservation (shut down computers at the end of the day, shut down unused lights, etc.).
The Sydney Wentworth Sofitel gave all its employees information to promote biodiversity actions. It
also implemented an hour called “Energy Saving Hour”.
Cambodia
water, biodiversity
On April 26th, employees of the Sofitel Royal Angkor cleaned up around the hotel premises, planted
trees in the garden. Employees also spent time with orphans to talk to them about water. And during
all the month of April, every Saturday, the staff was educated about water treatment.
China
Accor Hospitality
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
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biodiversity
A total of 785 employees from 25 hotels
across China participated in rivercleaning actions.
In Shanghai, the Accor Corporate 95
employees collected waste along the
principal river of the town, Huangpu
River.
Accor Services
biodiversity, water
The Environment Charter was translated into Chinese. Some employees of the local Business Unit
visited a water recycling plant.
Sofitel
energy, biodiversity, waste, water
The Sofitel Ramón Square Hotels Xi’an, Dongguan Royal Lagoon Executive
Resort, Forebase Chongqing, Galaxy Nanjing, Hefei Grand Park, Huanghe
Sheshan Resort Shanghai, Plaza Xiamen, Qingyuan Riverside, Shanghai JJ
Oriental Pudong, Suzhou, Zhengzhou International and Zhongshan Golf &
Resort Nanjing carried out tree planting actions and created green areas.
The Sofitel Boao, Hangzhou Westlake, Dongguan Royal Lagoon Executive
Resort, Xanadu Resort Hangzhou, Silver Plaza Jinan, Qingyuan Riverside and
Wanda Harbin organized cleaning sessions of the areas surrounding their
hotels.
The Sofitel Ningbo Wanda organized an awareness session for its employees
on all the consumption of resources (water, energy and paper) and on the
Environment Charter. It implemented energy savings actions in every
department: surveillance and analysis of energy consumption every month,
water and energy savings, creation of a green office concept by lowering the paper consumption,
collection of used batteries, publication of energy savings among the employees.
The Sofitel Shangai JJ Oriental Pudong, Suzhou and Wenda Chengdu raised their employees’
awareness on energy saving issues.
The Sofitel Wanda Harbin and Wanda Beijing raised their employees and the surrounding school
children’s awareness on biodiversity issues (trees, paper bag reuse vs. plastic bags, etc.).
French Polynesia
water
Every Sofitel hotel in French Polynesia planted young trees in their gardens. Each hotel implemented
a training program for their employees on waste sorting for the administration, the restaurant and the
rooms. For each kilo of waste, a US dollar cent was donated for underprivileged children,
Hong Kong
Accor Services
waste
The SurfGold team participated in the Earth Hour and some awareness actions were launched.
Moreover, the employees participated in a computer and battery recycling program.
India
Novotel
The Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach teams visited a local waste water treatment station.
ibis
local development, health
The employees of the Ibis hotel of Gurgaon organized a blood
donation activity with the Indian Red Cross Society.
The employees of Ibis Pune transformed a barren land into a lawn
in a school specialized for blind children.
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
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water
Mercure
water
The employees and guests of the Mercure Homestead Residence Bangalore got information on water
conservation issues through conferences, posters and other communication tools. The employees and
their children participated in a drawing contest on the subject.
Accor Services
water
The employees displayed the new Charter and carried out a campaign called “Save the water, it saves
you.” Their awareness was risen through text messages and banners on water conservation.
Japan
child protection, waste
Employees of Accor hotels in Japan were encouraged to collect plastic bottle caps, before sending
them to ECOCAP, NPO, who purchases vaccines for children by selling those caps to a recycling
company.
Laos
Novotel
The staff of the Novotel Vientiane relished fishes and eels in a natural lake.
Macao
The employees of the Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16 planted 1,000 different young trees and all the people
that participated brought back home a tree seed.
New Zealand and Fiji
water
25 hotels in New-Zealand and the Fiji took part in Earth Guest day! Each hotel of
the region, as well as Accor’s regional office in Auckland created an exhibition at
reception with water bottles: all the water bottles placed in the rooms wore a “neck
collar” showing Accor’s commitment to sustainable development and the actions
carried out during Earth Guest day. Moreover, in order to encourage the guests to
take a bottle, a screen was displaying tips on water, electricity and waste issues.
33 volunteers of the 5 Auckland hotels and the Regional Office employees cleaned
up a part of the Dunkirk reserve in Panmure. At the end of the day, a truck full of
waste left the area!
In Hamilton, Accor employees cleaned up the river Waikato borders and
surrounding country roads.
In Rotura, the employees assembled and evacuated waste along a lake.
In Wellington, a whole space was cleaned up of 10 cubic meters of waste and then
the employees planted more than 100 new trees. Moreover, the teams got information on local
biodiversity.
In Picton, the Accor employees cleaned the harbour surrounding areas. Besides, they decided to
repeat this event several times in the year in order to make the Earth Guest spirit live along the year.
In Christchurch, the two hotels’ employees cleaned up the town streets.
The Accor employees and their guests in Queenstown cleaned a natural reserve. They received a
large publicity for this event for an article was published at this occasion in the local paper, the Otago
Daily Times.
In 40 km north of Dunedin, Accor employees got information on
navigable waterways, and wildlife of the local environment. Then
they clean this waterway and planted trees along the river.
In Fidji, an Earth Guest bus journey was organized by the Accor
employees to clean up a river and a reservoir near a village, helped
by the inhabitants. The media were there and talked about this
news on the radio and the local papers.
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
10/27
Sofitel
biodiversity, water
In addition to the action organized by every hotel in both countries, the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa and
Sueentown (New-Zealand) organized a day with the slogan “Trees are symbols of Life”, for tree
planting in the areas damaged by the recent floods.
Philippines
biodiversity
The employees of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila planted trees with invited business groups.
Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia
Accor Services
water, biodiversity
The new Charter was launched, Earth Hour was followed and a visit to a training centre was
organized, on water theme.
Accor Hospitality
water, biodiversity
1,200 employees of the Accor hotels
Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia
participated in cleaning actions of the
water sewage systems near the hotels,
in order to help the inhabitants of the
neighbourhood nearby to keep their
water system clean. Accor Indonesia
employees had the opportunity to visit
a water treatment plant and got
information on the water recycling process. Each hotel raised their guests’ awareness by using
communication supports (e-Mail banners, clothes, banners in the reception halls), by informing
children on water issues through different activities (poems, drawing competitions…). In Indonesia, the
Group offered 5 manual pumps to 2 elementary schools to give clean water access to 500 children.
The Group also renovated public toilets. For the Novotel Solo, Earth Guest day was the opportunity to
inaugurate a rain water capture tank and for the Novotel Lombock to inaugurate a deep well.
Moreover, about 600 trees were planted in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore and 4 Accor hotels of
the same area provided free medical check-up and distributed medication to local communities.
Sofitel
biodiversity
The Indonesian Sofitel Seminyak Bali organized an awareness campaign on biodiversity and planted
trees on the Saminyak beach to help to stop the sand erosion.
South Korea
water, biodiversity
The Accor hotels’ employees in South Korea participated in a water treatment plant, they cleaned up
beaches, squares and waters and raised their guests’ awareness about sustainable development
through flyers and posters.
The Pullman Emabassador Changwon City 7 employees cleaned up the Changwon River.
In the South, the employees of the Novotel Busan cleaned up a part of the Haeundae beach, one of
the most attended beaches in the country.
The employees of the Sofitel Seoul, the Novotel Gangnam, the Novotel Doksan, the ibis Seoul,
Myung-Dong and Suwon participated in a day called “The Beautiful Water Day”: awareness raising in
the morning (visit of a water treatment plant, visit of the museum of water taps), cleaning activities of
Anyang-Chun during the afternoon.
The employees of the Novotel Daegu took part in cleaning activities of the Shincheon River.
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
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Taiwan
Accor Services
biodiversity, water
In addition of introducing the Accor Offices Environment Charter, Accor Services employees in Taiwan
cleaned up a beach.
Thailand
child protection
Accor Thailand employees organized a big bowling tournament. Through the ticket sales and prizes
for the winners, Accor Hospitality collected funds for the association ECPAT, Accor’s partner in the
fight against sexual tourism involving children since 2002.
This money is being used to help financing a project led by ECPAT. It has been transferred to a centre
run by YMCA, one of ECPATS’s key-partner, based in the Payao Province. The centre provides longterm accommodation, training in schools and help children to adopt
the life skills they will need. These children are at risk with
commercial sexual exploitation or sexual traffic. The centre runs
houses for children of 8 to 13 years-old, with one member of the staff
staying with them. For the children who were sexually abused and
referred to the centre, they stay in a separate place, waiting to be
referred to a suitable rehabilitation centre for psychological therapy.
The centre also engages the children who stay in the centre working
with the local community and engages the schools to raise children’s awareness on sexual tourism
and traffic risks, through radio programs, theatre and youth camp activities. The ECPAT foundation
works with the centre to promote children participation in running the daily activities of the centre
through the Children’s Council, run by the children themselves.
Sofitel
biodiversity, waste, water
The Sofitel Centara Hua Hin and Bangkok Silom participated in cleaning actions of public beaches or
water channels, and planted trees. Moreover, the employees of the Sofitel Bangkok Silom and their
children got information on the water quality and wild and plant life protection.
Vietnam
waste, water
The employees of the Sofitel Plaza Saigon, together with those of the regional Accor head office,
invited 25 students of Sesame, a medicine school for the underprivileged children of the Ho Chi Minh
City. These students had the opportunity to discover the water saving system of the hotel. Then,
employees and students visited a water treatment plant where they learnt how to preserve drinkable
water.
In Hanoi, the employees of the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, the Sofitel Plaza Hanoi and the Mercure
Hanoi La Gare gathered their efforts to clean up the Truc Back lake, with the participation of the
Ministry of Environment, the People of Hanoi Committee and the Lake Protection Organism.
In Dalat, Sofitel and Novotel employees, together with the young people of the Dalat Town Youth,
participated in the cleaning of the Sua Huong Lake and streets nearby.
The Novotel Nha Trang teams actively cleaned the Nha Trang beach, with the collaboration of local
people.
The Novotel Phan Thiet mobilized its teams to clean up the town’s city.
The Grand Mercure Resort & Spa teams split up in two to clean up the beaches in the two sides of the
island.
The employees of the Mercure Hue Gerbera cleaned up the park near the Perfume River.
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
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Northern Europe
Austria
Accor hotels in Austria chose to structure Earth Guest day on 2 themes: biodiversity and water. They
continued their engagement toward bats and once again cleaned the nests employees built two years
ago. Moreover, Salzburg teams set crayfish free in the rivers soon as they were strong enough.
The teams from Bregenz cleaned up the Bodensee borders. In Graz, the teams took the International
Water day opportunity, on March 22, to distribute small water bottles with stickers to raise guests’
awareness on water scarcity. Novotel, Youthotel and ibis Linz visited a water station and received
information on drinkable water, water transportation and water quality.
On April 22, all hotels and head offices employees received a brochure edited by the Ministry of the
environment: Water Guide – Using Water and Protecting Water.
Accor Services
The employees met up to find improvement axes as far as their environmental impacts are concerned,
with the help of the new Charter. They also fixed new objectives for water and energy consumption
reduction.
Belgium
Accor Services
environment
An inquiry was carried out on consumption habits at home and work (Accor Hospitality and Services
employees). Water tasting was organized and the employees were invited to sign a charter in favour
of drinkable water access to everyone as a fundamental element of Human Rights.
Sofitel
waste, water
The Sofitel Brussels le Louise committed to the reduction of waste production and collects soaps for
an African NGO. The Sofitel Brussels Europe raised its guests and employees’ awareness on the
water theme: consumption and reduction.
Czech Republic
Accor Services
biodiversity
The introduction of the new Charter in the offices was related to water consumption. In partnership
with the Accor Hospitality employees, the teams of the Czech Republic Business Unit participated in a
cleaning activity and tree planting.
Germany
Accor Hospitality
biodiversity
German hotels carried out more than 200 actions for Earth Guest day! A hundred cleaning up actions
in nature, close to 45 healthy cooking classes by Accor chefs for children and teenagers, blood
donation actions, close to 20 actions of fair trade promotion, and a few tree planting actions!
Accor Services
biodiversity
The Environment Charter was launched as well as an awareness campaign. Moreover, the employees
of Accor Hospitality and Services Germany participated in a cleaning activity of the English garden of
Munich.
Sofitel
waste
The Sofitel Munich Bayerpost, Berlin am Gendarmenmarkt and Hamburg Alter Wall cleaned up public
parks, zoos and river banks.
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
13/27
Hungary
Accor Hospitality
biodiversity, water
Accor Hospitality Hungary teams met up with Accor
Hospitality Slovakia representatives in order to act on the
issues of water and biodiversity on this special day.
They chose the Danube banks in Budapest as their operating
place: the 140 employees, hotel managers and the country
manager, representing altogether the Sofitel, Novotel,
Mercure and ibis hotels cleaned up the river bank, in front of
the Sofitel Budapest.
Then they planted three trees on the same spot that had
previously been prepared and they set butterflies free to
symbolize the aim of that day: the protection of the environment.
Accor Services
biodiversity
The Offices Environment Charter was launched and promoted in the internal Newsletter. Recycling
boxes for paper and plastic were put in the offices.
Sofitel
biodiversity, water
The Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge planted two trees on Roosevelt place in front of the hotel. The
teams wore Earth Guest t-shirts for that day.
Poland
biodiversity
On April 22nd, Sofitel Grand Sopot organized several actions: the employees cleaned up the beach in
front of the hotel, they planted trees in the hotel gardens, and more balanced food is now served in the
staff canteen.
Mercure, Novotel, ibis, Etap and Orbis hotels organized many actions: natural site cleaning up
(beaches, gardens …), tree planting, visits of waste water treatment plants, actions to promote organic
and healthy food, drawing and photo contests, actions to promote less polluting means of
transportation. All this was done involving employees and their families, as well as guests.
Romania
Accor Hospitality
The Novotel Bucharest launched a paper recycling system with trolleys whereby employees can put
used paper and print papers on both sides.
Moreover, the employees helped the association Pro-Vita from Valenii de Munte by giving disabled
children, the homeless and pregnant women of the association some clothes, laundry or toys.
Accor Services
Accor Services launched the Accor Offices Environment Charter through three contests: a
photography contest, a contest organized in order to guess the bio-deteriorating time of a plastic glass
and finally a paper basket decoration contest.
Russia
biodiversity, waste
The Novotel Moscow Centre raised its teams’ awareness on
sustainable development, with a presentation of the Earth Guest
program and its eight priorities. A black-out action was carried out
for one hour in the hotel common areas to raise awareness on the
need of energy savings. Moreover, the teams cleaned up a park in
Moscow, an action organized by WWF.
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
14/27
The Netherlands
biodiversity
Accor Hospitality
The Accor Group in the Netherlands, who raised 16 500 € for the Aids Fund last year, was engaged
this year to clean up the Scheveningen beach (on the North Sea) and collected more than 40 litter
bags in less than three hours! Right before this action, the 41 Dutch hotels staff were given a
presentation by a member of the RNN Shanks association on water recycling system and by a
member of Greenpeace association on sustainable management of the ocean, and especially the
creation of marine’s reserves to prevent over-fishing.
Accor Services
Accor Services in the Netherlands is already ISO
140001 certified. For Earth Guest day, Corporate
Social Responsibility was presented to the
employees and a cleaning activity was carried out
with Accor Hospitality employees. Moreover, the
Accor Services employees also participated in the
lectures given by the two associations.
Sofitel
biodiversity, water
The Sofitel Amsterdam The Grant organized Earth
Guest day through three topics:
- Water: the cleaning up of the famous Amsterdam water-channels, surrounding the hotel. This
action was carried out by the employees, thanks to boats. There also were educative lectures
on the water issue in the hotel for the children of a nearby school and also a lecture on water
purification systems for the employees in charge of the water systems in the hotel,.
nd
- Biodiversity: for the third year, a dinner was organized on April 22 , without any electricity,
with only organic food and drinks: the “Black & Bio Dinner”. Moreover, the hotel is engaged in
a large environmental called “Green key”. A two-year preparation, which begins this year, is
necessary in order to obtain the certification.
- Mobilization: hotel employees participated in the event “Dance 4 Life” which is aimed at raising
funds.
Slovakia
Accor Services
biodiversity, water, energy, waste
Accor Services, which wants to engage its office in an ISO 14001 Certification process, introduced the
Accor Offices Environment Charter translated into Slovak. Besides, an internal campaign on energy
saving was launched and the teams cleaned two playgrounds.
Sweden
Accor Services
biodiversity, waste
The employees displayed the new Charter posters on the office wall and in the reception hall. The
entity is trying to go on the way of ISO 14001 certification. A quiz was given to the employees on
various environmental topics, in conformity with the new Charter. A contest was organized to improve
the behaviours and the actions in favour of the environment. A waste sorting system was launched.
Switzerland
biodiversity, water
Each region organized actions. Hotels of the Geneva area cleaned up the Vernier forest, during a
grand popular walk organized by the city to inaugurate paths. In the evening, participants shared a
meal. Lausanne staff cleaned up a river, and the employees visited a waterpower station. Ibis Crissier
installed a rainwater recovery system to water plants. Ibis Baar cleaned up a tourist centre with the
employees and their friends and families. Head office teams gave up plastic bottles in favour of tap
water, and bought a jar for each office.
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
15/27
Turkey
Accor Hospitality
The Earth Guest day activity was carried out with Accor
Services staff, local town councils, the association
Turkish Marine Environment Protection Association and
100 children of primary schools: protecting water and
raise awareness about water. A presentation explaining
the water importance and entertaining activities about
water took place, followed by a lunch with the children.
The participants also cleaned up the coast.
water
Accor Services
biodiversity
The teams translated the new Charter into Turkish and
implemented some of the 60 recommended actions. The main activity carried out with Accor
Hospitality during Earth Guest day was the coast side cleaning with children of the local community in
order to raise their awareness on water preservation issue.
United Kingdom and Ireland
Accor Hospitality
Accor United Kingdom held two meetings with the champions’ hotels that acted with the NGO Plan to
present to the employees an update on the project launched in 2008 to combat AIDS in India.
Accor Services
biodiversity, waste
Accor Services rigorously introduced the Accor Offices Environment Charter, as the company is
engaged in an ISO 14001 obtaining process. Moreover, a river cleaning action, which is one of the
favourite ecological activities of Accor Services UK teams, was organized.
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
16/27
North America
Canada
The Sofitel Montreal planted flowers and trees.
The Novotel Ottawa organized a barbecue to raise funds to help a
local association.
129 employees of Novotel Canada participated in the “Trees Across
Toronto” challenge for Earth Guest day. This program brings
together the administration, the citizens and the private sector in
order to increase the wooded area from 17 to 34% until 2050. The
Novotel Canada team was the largest team to participate to this
program, for the third consecutive year.
United States of America
Accor Corporate employees in the United States of America planted 270 Mexican Heather Native
plants, sold 600 water flasks and collected taps for the UNICEF program Tap Water Project.
Sofitel
energy, biodiversity, waste
The Sofitel LA and its restaurant Simon LA took part in the Earth Hour 2009. This program was made
th
on March 28 in an attempt to make customers and employees aware of global warming and climate
changes issue. The light were turned off and replaced by candles for one night.
The Minneapolis, Philadelphia and Washington DC Lafayette Square Sofitel hotels were engaged in
trees planting actions. Sofitel Water or Miami Sofitel hotels taught their employees energy
conservation or healthy meals making. Chicago O’Hare and New York Sofitel hotels implemented a
recycling program. Minneapolis, New York and San Francisco Bay Sofitel hotels cleaned up beaches
and parks in order to help providing clean areas for neighbourhood.
The Sofitel New York cleaned up the New York Riverside Park. The teams raised guests’ awareness
through films on the Earth Guest program and a candle-lit dinner.
The Sofitel Washington DC teams helped create a better school through cleaning and painting
activities.
The Sofitel Chicago Watertower distributed neon tubes and the teams cleaned up the Washington
Park, collecting the content of 4 truckloads.
The employees of the Sofitel Miami spent Earth Guest day with children of an
elementary school for awareness activities.
The teams of the Sofitel Philadelphia participated in the program Canned
Food drive & walk to fight against hunger and cleaned up an elementary
school.
Every American Sofitel sold Trinity Oaks wine bottles. This brand has created
the program: One Bottle, One tree! Sold on the whole Sofitel US network,
which allowed the planting of 15 804 trees in the United States of America!
Motel 6/Studio 6
energy, biodiversity
On April 22nd, every hotel shut down air-conditioning in empty rooms: more than 2,270 airconditioning systems were shut down on that day!
Moreover, the North-American direction proposed to the hotels actions
such as:
- Cleaning a lake, a river or a beach: 72 hotels participated!
- Planting a tree and/or a native species (the description of local
species according to the states had been sent to every hotel): 64
hotels participated!
- Rehabilitating the irrigation system especially before the hot
seasons: the hotels were encouraged to change their irrigation
and watering system to make water savings.
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
17/27
The brand objective this year was to reach 2,000 hours of volunteering, calculated on the participants
number and activities length basis. Finally, 4,525 hours were calculated!
Other actions were carried out by the M6/S6: the sale of more than 600 water bottles for the UNICEF
Tap Water Project, the construction of 4 water reservoirs, and the participation in the activities of the
association Habitat for Humanity.
Moreover, Earth Guest day was the occasion to launch in every state the Weight Loss Challenge.
Accor Services
environment
Accor Services in the US focused on energy efficiency by replacing standard light bulbs by compact
florescent bulbs. A campaign was launched to raise employees and above all guests’ awareness on
the advantages of public transports. 28,570 guests reached!
“The response was tremendous in that we received numerous inquires from potential new customers,
along with kudos from existing clients, thanking Accor Services for reminding them about the
environmental benefits of our programs.”
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
18/27
South America and the Caribbean
Argentina
Accor Services
environment
st
A presentation was organized on April 21 with the public school of Villa Crespo. The topic chosen
was global warming and water. The students got information on these subjects and discussed them.
Moreover, in partnership with Accor Hospitality, a discussion was engaged on the relationship
between these issues and the hotel business.
This activity was carried out with the members of the Al Gore’s Climate Project association.
The internal campaign “Little gesture for the planet”, initiated on November 2008 was launched once
again this month with the employees’ participation at a quiz.
Sofitel
biodiversity, water
The employees of Sofitel Buenos Aires participated in a lecture on climate change and biodiversity
protection.
The employees of Sofitel La Reserva Cardales and the guests’ children participated in a paper
recycling activity and a visit of a natural reserve called Otamendi.
Brazil
Accor hotels in Sao Paulo, associated with the NGO Navega,
proposed to their employees to sail in one of the most polluted
river in Latin America, the Tietê River, to realize the impact of
human activities on water conservation.
The Novotel Cusco, SP Ibirapuera, Vitoria and SP Morumbi
raised their teams’ awareness on the water topic: lectures,
presentations, workgroups…
The employees of the Novotel Ronsonopolis cleaned up the Itiquira River banks. Those of the Novotel
Campo Grande visited the sewage water treatment plant of the Aquas Guariroba company. The
Novotel SP Jaraqua employees organized activities with elderly people.
The Mercure Grand Hôtel SP Ibirapuera, Mercure Brasília Eixo Monumental, Mercure Brasília Lídere,
Mercure Central Towers, Mercure Santo André, Mercure Moema and Mercure Nortel raised their
employees’ awareness on the Earth Guest program issues, and especially the water priority, through
different means: quiz, lectures, discussion, visits of plants…
The Mercure Guaratingueta organized cleaning actions of the Paraiba River and then planted trees
along the bank.
In every room, the cleaning ladies of the Mercure The Town placed a tree of a symbolic native
species: the ipe tree. The Mercure Executive One distributed to its guests the same plant seeds.
The employees of the Mercure The Exelence visited the showroom of a water treatment plant and
received tips on how to conserve water.
At the Mercure Pamplona, guests and employees received a mineral water bottle with tips on how to
use water.
The teams of Mercure Saint Lawrence participated in Earth Guest day through two actions: the visit of
an institution which helps mothers and children with HIV/AIDS and awareness actions on resource
conservation.
In the Mercure Jardins, flower seeds were distributed and candles replaced lamps in the restaurant.
The employees of the lbis João Pessoa, de l’ibis Maceió et de l’ibis Ribeirão Preto cleaned up
surrounding areas.
The teams of ibis Paulista ibis and ibis Ribeirão Preto planted trees.
Accor Services
water
The Charter was translated into Portuguese and was introduced in the new Sao Paulo head office in
June!
The Accor Institute organized many actions: environmental awareness, especially on water issues as
the employees spent the day on the Tieté river bank (responsible consumption, fight against pollution
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
19/27
and flooding) and the importance of that river for the quality of life; they also received information on
recycling process.
Moreover, the employees participated in the awareness campaign on the environment for children
through the organization of games on water topic and the fight against the dengue fever.
Sofitel
biodiversity
The Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Copacabana created an indoor garden with different plants.
The Sofitel Sao Paulo employees cleaned places near the hotel, revitalized trees, their awareness
was raised on environmental issues and they received seeds for home.
The Sofitel Jequitimar Guaruja organized a bike tour for its employees to raise their awareness on
less polluting means of transport. Moreover, the hotel donated funds for the Creche Manaim, which
delivers daily cares in Guaruja. About 50 employees participated in this adventure, in partnership with
the NGO Ocean Futures Brazil – Jean Michel Cousteau. This day was aiming at promoting the brand
sustainable development strategy inside the Sofitel network, to motivate employees and local
community on more eco-friendly means of transports and to promote support to the charity institutions
of Guaruja.
Cuba
biodiversity
Employees and customers of the Mercure Sevilla hotel of Cuba visited the Parque Metro Politano
ecologic park in partnership with the Public Health Ministry and Havana’s University.
The two Mercure Pla-ya de Oyo and Cuatro Palmas raised their employees’ awareness on the water
issue.
Chile
The teams of Novotel Santiago organized a day on the water issue.
Some of the hotel employees went to a school in order to raise the
school children’s awareness on water matters and environment
protection. The partnership with this school was launched two years
ago, on Earth Guest day 2007!
Few days before, the maintenance team had checked on water flows
and teams in charge of the gardens planted trees.
Accor Services
water
The Charter was internally launched as well as a paper recycling system. Moreover, awareness
actions for the school of Huiñi Trai were organized with the employees of the Novotel. Planting actions
were carried out.
Colombia
Sofitel
water, biodiversity
The Sofitel Regia Bogota invited a Red Cross professional and employees of the Environment Ministry
to talk to the Group’s employees about the importance of “green” activities and how to avoid floods by
protecting the rivers.
The employees of Sofitel Santa Clara Cartagena planted trees in and out the hotel’s property. They
organized a press conference with the local media on safe energy and recycling.
Dominican Republic
child protection
The three hotels of the Dominican Republic are now engaged in
a partnership with a children protection association in Santo
Domingo (Help to the Santo Domingo’s Children Association).
This program has existed for four years and is under the
responsibility of POLITUR (police institution in charge of tourist
zones in the country). The association’s role is to take care of
thirty children of the streets, confronted with various problems
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
20/27
(prostitution, juvenile delinquency). The hotels have identified several possible actions to be made in
2009. The various participants want this project to be sustainable. Four actions have thus been
decided for the year to come, with one priority: training.
Earth Guest day was the opportunity to inaugurate this partnership. The children concerned, hotels’
employees, association’s members, local authorities and the press were present. This signature day
was the occasion for the organization of several activities from and for the children such as animations
and fundraising.
Guadeloupe
biodiversity
The employees of the MGallery L’Auberge de la Vieille Tour,
helped by the town council members and Europcar
company’s employees cleaned up beaches near the hotels
(Grande Plage du Gosier and Plage Publique de l’Auberge de
la Vieille Tour).
La Reunion
biodiversity
The Novotel St Gilles, Mercure Blue Beach and Mercure
Creolia hotel employees and their families participated in a
visit of the Road of Tamarins, currently under construction, a
way for crossing the island from end to end, currently representing the biggest European building site.
The employees were presented the environmental side of the project.
La Martinique
waste, biodiversity
The employees of the Mercure Diamant cleaned the hotel area, dug out
an ill tree and planted a new one, with the help of the gardening
company, Novavert Services.
Mexico
water, biodiversity
Accor Hospitality
Every hotel and head office Accor Hospitality Mexico were mobilized between 20 and 26 April and
carried out a lot of actions.
st
On April 21 , cleaning actions of the surrounding areas took place at the Novotel and ibis Monterrey
Valle: 35 garbage bags were filled up!
nd
On April 22 , it was the turn to the Boca Lake, a place that attracts a lot of tourists, to be cleaned up
by the Novotel and the ibis Monterrey Valle and the ibis Monterrey Aeropuerto teams. The staff of
Novotel Santa Fe, ibis México Perinorte and the head office, along with some students and suppliers
cleaned up the lake of the Iris Lake: 35 garbage bags were filled up!
The hotels also organized awareness actions for school children,
students and employees on water topic. Awareness tools were
distributed to the guests. The Mexican teams also supported actions
for local communities.
Reforestation and cleaning operations also took place: at the ibis
Guadalajara Expo, the teams cleaned up the green areas and planted
trees.
Exhibitions on actions achieved for Earth Guest day since 2007 were displayed in the hotel lobbies, to
share the hotels’ best practices.
Accor Hospitality Mexico officially renewed its engagement against children sexual exploitation in
tourism and organized a lecture on that issue in the Novotel Santa Fé.
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
21/27
Accor Services
water
The Accor Offices Environment Charter was implemented in the offices. The campaign “We plant
smiles”, aiming at promoting planet preservation with a local community, was also organized on the
water issue like last year.
Peru
Accor Services
water, waste
The Business Unit of Peru created an Earth Guest committee. Moreover, the
employees cleaned up the main place of Huaycan. They organized a drawing contest
with childen of 6 and 7 year-old about what the Earth means to them. Other
awareness actions were organized, such as theater play, balloon distribution or flyers.
St Martin
water
The Mercure Simson Beach of St Martin focused its action on water savings. In order to do this, the
hotel gets water from the groundwater that is located right underneath the hotel. The hotel teams
raised customer awareness on the necessity of saving water (stickers in the rooms and videos in the
halls), they installed water flow regulators (decrease in the consumption by 50%), collected all plastic
caps and glass bottles for recycling and optimized green areas watering.
Uruguay
Accor Hospitality
water, waste
On April 24th, the ibis Montevideo teams organized a great « Water Marathon » day. During the whole
day, 2 employee teams, « Salted water » and « Fresh water » competed: quiz on water, cleaning up
operation of the nearby beach (the teams collected 80kg of waste!), creation of a 10-item list of
recommendations to save water. Each member of the winning team received a set of organic
products.
Moreover, guests were also involved: each guest who bought a water bottle on that very day received
a bag made of organic material, to collect waste generated in their cars.
Accor Services
waste
Accor Services employees got information on environmental protection and the actions that could be
implemented. A recyclable bag was offered to each employee and a garden was created by the
employees.
Venezuela
Accor Services
biodiversity
For Earth Guest day, the Accor Offices Environment Charter and the "Paper Recycling" program in
Cestaticket were launched, a garden was created for a school and an awareness campaign on the
environment took place.
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
22/27
Southern Europe
France
Sofitel
biodiversity
The Sofitel hotels in Paris, Strasbourg, Dijon, Biarritz and Quiberon promoted organic products
through special menus in their restaurants. At Sofitel Paris la Défense, for each glass of organic wine
sold, 1 Euro was donated to the association “Planète”.
The Sofitel hotels of Lyon Bellecour, Marseille and Paris Champs-Elysées cleaned up nearby areas
such as parks or roads. As far as the Sofitel Lyon Aéroport is concerned, its employees took part in a
training day about waste sorting and visited a waste treatment plant.
Moreover, the Sofitel Worldwide and Sofitel South Europe teams participated in this day by:
- planting ten trees near the Vanoise building in Evry
- participating in a organic picnic
The two Sofitel Thalassa Quiberon raised their guests’ awareness on the environment and biodiversity
issues:
- Discovery of a variety of vegetables, fruit, shellfish and aromatic garden (local products)
- Exhibition of seaweeds and derived products in the thalassotherapy institute
- Promotion of bike instead of more polluting means of transports
- Broadcasting of a film about oyster farming all day
- Discovery of an oyster park
- Treasure hunt organized for children. They also took this opportunity to plant a native tree
(Céanothe)
- Discovery of the local biodiversity
Pullman
biodiversity
Each of the 13 Pullman hotels sponsors a beehive located
in one of the apiaries supported the association Bee my
Friend, and held by a professional beekeeper. Bee my
Friend commits to maintain the beehives for 2 years. The
employees were invited to visit the beekeepers in
Burgundy.
During one week, to raise guest awareness, honey jars
were served at breakfast along with a flyer explaining
Pullman’s commitment, there was honey sweets from the
beehives in the meeting rooms or at reception, and VIP guests received some honey related gifts:
honey spoon, a small honey pot …
Novotel
water
The French Novotel hotels were engaged on the water issue. Every Novotel hotel organized staff
meetings in order to explain to their employees what is at stake in the water issue and what could be
done at their level in their hotels.
Mercure
local development
Mercure hotels proposed fair trade coffee for breakfast every day. This action lasted three weeks.
Suitehotel
waste
For Earth Guest day 2009, Suitehotel France organized an operation with the
th
th
association “Bouchons d’amour”, from April 20 to April 26 , in every French
Suitehotel.
Hotels proposed to their guests to give back caps from plastic bottles (water, milk,
fruit juice, drinks, etc.) in a box placed at reception. The caps recycling generated
money that helped the association to buy new equipments for handicapped people.
The brand relies on this action to push forward its engagement for handicapped
people. In fact, since 2007, the Suitehotel hotels have installed necessary
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
23/27
infrastructures in order to facilitate accessibility for handicapped people in the hotels (Tourism and
Handicap program).
Ibis
Plant for the planet
The brand took the opportunity of Earth Guest day 2009 to launch the Plant for the Planet project in
every ibis hotel. What is the project principle? With a new communication, guests are invited to use
their towels more than one night. Laundry savings will finance reforestation projects. Thus, the French
ibis hotels are going to finance a project carried out by the association SOS SAHEL in Senegal.
During Earth Guest day, every employee was informed or trained on the subject. The new
communication for the guests was put in bathrooms, and the hotels were also able to organise some
events to raise the guests’ awareness.
all seasons
local development
After Earth Guest day 2008, the all seasons hotels pursue their engagement for local development
and especially the fight against illiteracy, in partnership with local associations.
For instance, the all seasons hotel of Bordeaux has been engaged since last year in a partnership with
the association Promo Femmes. Its objective is to favour the integration of women from the
immigration into professional life: Insertion, Literacy and Socialisation.
It is a sustainable partnership, which covers many actions:
- regular visits to the women in the establishment
- welcoming of these women in the hotel for launch meeting
- Helping women engaged in professional (re) insertion to discover a new job in the hotel
- help and monitoring in the literacy course (magazine distribution)
- help for women installation in a new social frame
For the year 2009, the hotel has set many objectives:
- employees’ visits to the association’s premises
- organizing cooking training with the hotel chief
- making the women who wish to participate in a buffet with the hotel chief
- evaluation of their work in partnership with the French National Association for Employment.
Etap Hotel
biodiversity
Just like during the previous editions of Earth Guest day, Etap Hotel used the event to act for
biodiversity protection with its NGO partner, the French Bird Protection League (LPO): from April 6 to
April 20, for each breakfast sold, 0.30€ was reverted to LPO. Moreover, Etap Hotel encouraged its
guests to become a LPO member. 9 nature trips across France were also organized with the LPO for
employees and their families.
hotelF1
biodiversity
On the April 22nd, each hotelF1 planted a tree. All the hotels had received instructions on how to do
this. Just before Earth Guest day, hotelF1 raised their guests’ awareness about the action and on DDay, green bracelets were worn by every team and olive tree seeds, tree symbol of peace, wisdom
and eternity were distributed to every guest. After the planting, photographs were taken with
employees and/or guests around the tree. Each hotel will receive a poster gathering all these pictures.
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
24/27
Odyssey
Odyssey employees got information through 3 stands on:
- The Accor Offices Environment Charter: the employees discovered
this new tool, as well as the campus consumptions of water, electricity,
paper and cups. New consumption savings objectives were set for the
year to come.
- The water in Paris: where does the water we consume come from?
How must we use it, conserve it? Why is drinking water from the tap a
more ecological behaviour than drinking bottle water?
- Plant for the Planet: the employees discovered the project and its
latest news, given by the Sustainable development team.
Following that, the employees were invited to participate to a conference on
water, given by a manager of the Cleanliness and Decontamination of Waters of the Town of Paris
Department origin, treatments, used waters management, good manners to contribute to this
management….
Evry Campus
The campus raised its employee’s awareness on the following
projects:
- Plant for the Planet: details on the project and update
- The Accor Offices Environment Charter: the employees
discovered this new tool, as well as the campus
consumptions of water, electricity, paper and cups. New
consumption savings objectives were set for the year to
come.
Accor Hospitality France Headquarter
The headquarters’ employees have had information on the following Earth Guest priorities:
- Plant for the Planet: details and update on the project
- The Accor Offices Environment Charter: the employees discovered this new tool, as well as
the campus consumptions of water, electricity, paper and cups. New consumption savings
objectives were set for the year to come.
- Water: how could we save this resource, where does it come from in Paris…?
Moreover, each Hospitality brand raised the employees’ awareness on their Earth Guest day action
this year.
Accor Services
Earth Guest day 2009 coincided with Accor Services France teams moving in a new head office called
Columbus. A perfect timing to raise employees’ awareness about good practices to adopt in the new
offices. A mug was also distributed to each employee. This event was a good way to show the
environmental commitment of Accor Services France: it is in fact one of the Accor Services entities to
have the environmental ISO 14001 certification.
Greece
Accor Hospitality
biodiversity
The Sofitel Athens Airport and Novotel Athens employees participated in the voluntary action of
“Athens International Airport” and the “Hellenic Ornithological Society” in order to clean up the Wetland
of “Vravrona” area.
More specifically, hotels Sofitel Athens Airport and Novotel Athens, with a participation of more than
40 employees, contributed to the cleaning of the Wetland in “Vravrona”, attended the release of birds
and mammals that had recovered from injuries and visited the archaeological site of “Vravrona”.
Accor Services
biodiversity
The employees of Accor Services in Greece cleaned up a beach and communicated the new Charter
to their visitors.
Sustainable development Department – July 2009
25/27
Italy
Accor Hospitality
water
With the participation of Banca Intesa San Paulo, the Accor Hospitality teams received a brochure that
describes Earth Guest actions and what must be done to waste less water. Moreover, employees and
guests received a water consumption reducer. Accor Hospitality distributed around 7 000 brochures
and water consumption reducer.
Sofitel
The Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese collected money in order to help an association which takes care of
sick children from developing countries.
Accor Services
waste, energy, water
A poster and emailing campaign was carried out to promote that special day. A large awareness
campaign on Earth Guest day priorities was organized: “Small actions everyone of us can do for the
planet!” Water flow-reducers were also distributed.
Portugal
health
About one hundred employees of Accor Hospitality and Accor Services in Portugal gathered in Serra
de Sintra, near Lisbon, for two days of activities!
During the first day, they discovered the Natural Park of Sintra-Cascais with the association Cascais
Natura, which goal is to promote the natural park,
conduct research and projects for the preservation
of the park natural heritage and increase the
quality of life in the region. Participants raised
employees’ awareness on water and biodiversity
issues, and also on the real need to preserve our
environment by organizing team-building activities
with educational games on water and biodiversity
themes.
Moreover, the Accor Portugal employees spread the awareness campaign around them, by inviting
the children of the association Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Cascais, which helps children at risks,
especially by offering them a roof. They also invited the children of the Casa Sol association, which
supports children with Aids and their families. Accor teams successively played with the children and
participated in a waterbed cleaning-up action and nests construction. With the employees, these
children shared a day of exchange and environment protection. The day was also the opportunity for
the employees to better understand the AIDS issue.
These two days were the occasion for the employees to understand the Group actions and
engagement as far as sustainable development is concerned.
Spain
water, biodiversity
Pullman, ibis, MGallery, Novotel and offices teams
Here are some of the big Earth Guest day actions in Spain:
In Andalusia, the Ibis and Etap hotels employees organized two operations, the cleaning of the Natural
Park of Tarsal de Antiquary and the cleaning of a lake of the Park de Doñana. The Novotel Seville
employees attended a conference on water cycle management and visited an ecologic aquatic plant.
They also organized a cinema-forum on water in the hotel. The
employees of the Novotel Málaga cultivated new plants in the Ardales
and organized a rain water reuse activity.
In the Castilla y León region the employees of the hotels Ibis and
Formule1 cleaned up bushes of the water stream of Moratones in
Sesnández of Tábara, Zamora. The Novotel Valladolid employees
bought tree plants in order to offer them to the client companies of the
hotels and they attended a conference on the hotel water cycle
management.
In Catalonia, the Ibis, Etap and Formule1 hotels employees cleaned
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up the Remolar beach, next to the Llobregat river delta. The Novotel hotel employees walked from
Cornellà de Llobregat to the Llobregat river mouth (3 km) and then they visited water desalination and
treatment plant, and a local plant plantation.
In the Valence community, the Ibis hotel employees cleaned up a lake in the Albufera.
The Novotel employees rehabilitated some of the natural springs that exist in the various zones of the
Natural Park of Scie Calderona (Valence) and they built up drinking trough for the local and migrant
birds.
In Madrid, the Ibis, Etap and Formule1 Madrid hotels employees, along with the head office
employees cleaned up the Alberche River. The Pullman and Novotel employees cleaned and
replanted a nearby area of Villagordo du Marquisat (Cuenca province). Moreover, they dug holes near
the bushes in order to collect rainwater.
Basque country, the Ibis and Etap hotels employees of Bilbao cleaned up the Nervión River.
Novotel employees cleaned up the les Castaños (Barakaldo) river bed, thus coinciding with the
Basque Government campaign for the protection of a protected thorny fish species that lives in the
river.
In Murcia, the Novotel employees bought trees plants to offer them to client companies and attended a
conference on the Group’s environmental policy.
Accor Services
waste
Crystal bottles were distributed in order to replace plastic bottles and avoid its too large consumption.
The Charter was launched in the offices and an email was sent to every employee.
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