Hospitable Climates

The 'Hospitable Climates' programme - managed by the Institute of Hospitality on behalf of the Carbon Trust - has been designed to help reduce energy consumption in the UK hospitality industry by as much as 40 per cent, whilst reducing carbon emissions and their impact on climate change. A voluntary energy efficiency agreement between The Carbon Trust and the Institute of Hospitality, Hospitable Climates is the only such agreement in existence for the UK service industries.

UK Participating businesses receive a free advisory service based on a series of Energy Measures Fact Files, offering guidance on how to improve their energy efficiency - saving money whilst improving the quality of their guests' experience. Hospitable Climates programme offers the following free services, backed-up by an interactive website:

• targeted advice about energy saving techniques
• confidential comparison of the energy consumption of their own operation year-on-year
• access to experts who offer advice about new development and refurbishment projects
• free training materials
• access to the Hospitable Climates Forum to exchange energy saving ideas
• access to help and advice line

When Hospitable Climates was launched nationally in 2000, the initial phase was focused on the hotel industry. Three years later, the programme was extended to the pub and licensed retail sector - where it is supported by the British Institute of Innkeeping, the British Beer & Pub Association, the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations, and The Guild of Master Victuallers.

In February 2004, the Hospitable Climates programme was launched to the catering and restaurant sectors of the UK hospitality industry - supported by Compass Group UK & Ireland, Sodexho, the British Hospitality Association (BHA) and the UK Restaurant Association.

Achievements:

• Over 4,000 UK participants are signed-up to Hospitable Climates - including hotels, B&Bs, pubs, restaurants, and food and service management operations (regardless of size, or whether chained-owned or independent). Cumulative energy savings currently being made by the participants is well in excess of £13 million per annum.
• A cumulative total of 53,000 tonnes of CO2 is currently being saved annually by the 4,000-plus UK participants.
• A total of 131,000 tonnes of CO2 has been saved since the programme's launch in 2000. Saving 130,000 tonnes of carbon is the equivalent to the amount of carbon that would be absorbed by planting 650,000 trees - making a significant contribution to helping the Government fulfil its commitment at Kyoto.

For further information please visit the Hospitable Climates website at: www.hospitableclimates.org.uk

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