Hilton Colombo joins Earth Hour 2013 in support of energy conservation

Saturday, 23 March 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Hilton Colombo plans to mark Earth Hour 2013 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, 23 March 2013, as people and organisations around the world turn off their lights in support of action on global climate change.

Hilton Colombo and many of the more than 3,900 hotels that are part of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of brands are expected to take part in the event that will mobilise more than one billion people worldwide.

“We are committed to energy conservation and we are encouraging our guests and neighbours to join us as we turn off our lights in support of this global effort,” said Rudolf Troestler, General Manager of Hilton Colombo.

Earth Hour will be celebrated at Hilton Colombo through a variety of activities, including:

nCandle light dinner at all outlets

Back corridor lights will be reduced by 50%
Pond pumps will be switched off
Boilers, swimming pool pumps and tennis court lights will be switched off
Lights will be switched off in all the Food and Beverage outlets and lobby
Jazz un-plugged at the Thorana Lounge
Laundry machines will be switched off
Hotel logo neon light, concessionaire shop lights will be switched off
One elevator will be shut down
All floor corridors will be kept on emergency lighting

Hilton Worldwide is the first major multi-brand hospitality company to make sustainability measurement a brand standard and recently earned ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications for quality and environmental management – one of the largest volume certifications awarded for commercial buildings.

As part of that standard, Hilton Worldwide-branded properties commit to continuous improvements to their overall sustainability results each year. Across the portfolio, Hilton Worldwide has a made a five-year commitment, from 2009 to 2014, to reduce energy consumption by 20%, CO2 emissions by 20%, waste output by 20% and water consumption by 10%. In 2012, Hilton Worldwide achieved its waste goal two years of ahead of schedule and reduced its waste output by 23.3%.

Additionally, Hilton Worldwide saved more than $174 million in cumulative savings from energy efficiency projects reporting through LightStay. The company is on track to meet to meet its goals and has reduced its energy use by 9.7%; carbon output by 10.9%; and water use by 7.5%.