Hyatt Adopts Uniform Eco-Rating System for U.S., Canadian & Caribbean Properties

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has agreed to launch the Green Key Eco-Rating Program at participating hotels and resorts in the U.S, Canada, and the Caribbean. This marks a new chapter in Hyatt's dedication to environmental stewardship, which is defined by the execution of measurable and transparent actions while delivering authentic hospitality to guests. The Green Key Eco-Rating Program will provide a uniform tool to recognize the environmental performance of the operations of Hyatt's managed full-service hotels and resorts throughout the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean.

Green Key's rating system will complement Hyatt's existing web-based tracking system, Hyatt EcoTrack, which benchmarks energy use, water consumption, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions for Hyatt-managed, full-service hotels globally. Together, Hyatt EcoTrack and the Green Key Eco-Rating Program will provide Hyatt with a comprehensive platform from which to manage environmental performance and will be significant in helping Hyatt to reach its 2015 goals of:

• Reduction of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions per square meter by 25% from 2006 levels
• Reduction of water consumption per guest night by 20% from 2006 levels; and Reduction of waste generation per guest night by 25% from 2010 levels

Participation in the Green Key Eco-Rating Program builds on existing programs and is a natural progression in Hyatt's ongoing efforts to further environmental sustainability. Already Hyatt provides a comprehensive environmental training program for associates, has Green Teams in many hotels around the world, diligently tracks and measures waste generation and resource consumption, adheres to responsible purchasing practices, and integrates sustainable design standards into the design and construction of Hyatt branded hotels.

"We are extremely proud of the way our hotels have been leading on the sustainability front," says Brigitta Witt, vice president of environmental affairs for Hyatt. "We have been working hard to put the right programs and processes in place to elevate environmental consciousness across the organization and to reduce the environmental footprint of our operations. We have chosen to work with Green Key Global because of its operational focus, inspection process, ability to customize reports for each property, and extensive database of best practices designed to help hotels improve their environmental performance."

"By having one common set of standards against which to measure, we can more accurately gauge the environmental performance of each of our hotels," adds Witt.

"As a recognized leader in terms of sustainable hotel practices, we are very pleased that Hyatt has taken this step, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the Green Key program," explains Tony Pollard, managing director of Green Key Global.