16 of New York’s most iconic hotels pledged on Tuesday to reduce their carbon footprints, joining a wider city initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving the energy efficiency of buildings.
The Waldorf Astoria is one of 16 hotels to join the NYC Carbon Challenge.
The posh Waldorf Astoria is one of New York’s most iconic hotels, hosting some of the 20th century’s most famous characters including Marilyn Monroe, Fidel Castro and Nikita Krushschev, as well as countless U.S. presidents.
It is also among 16 of New York’s best-known, high-end hotels that promised on Tuesday to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30 per cent in the next ten years.
According to the office of Mayor Bill de Blasio, the hotels are the latest to join the NYC Carbon Challenge, which is a key initiative to put the city on its way to reduce all citywide greenhouse emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
Buildings make up nearly three-quarters of citywide emissions, say city officials.
By joining the NYC Carbon Challenge, the 16 hotels, totalling more than 11,000 rooms, are expected to cut around 32,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and save an estimated USD 25 million in energy costs.
Mayor de Blasio hopes that the move will inspire others: “If some of New York’s most iconic hotels can significantly reduce their carbon footprint, anyone can.”
According to city officials, more than 17 universities, 11 hospital organisations, 11 commercial firms, and 18 residential property management companies representing 720 apartment buildings have already joined the NYC Carbon Challenge since it was launched in 2007.
To date, they have achieved an average of a 19 per cent reduction. Eight have already achieved their full carbon reduction goals.
In total, the Challenge is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 515,000 metric tonnes – equivalent to removing 100,000 cars – and result in USD 220,000 million in energy cost savings by 2025.
Image credit: Kevin Harber, flickr/Creative Commons
