Rotorua Hotel becomes the third to get carboNZero Certificate
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New Zealand hotel chain Sudima Hotels has received carboNZero Certification for its Rotorua property.
The Certificate, made effective from October 19, 2018, makes it the third hotel in New Zealand, after Sudima Auckland Airport and Sudima Christchurch. To date, Sudima is the only brand to receive the Certificate among hotels in New Zealand.
Sudima Hotels Founder and Chief Executive Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala said that the aim is to make all new hotels of the chain to be built to qualify for the Certification.
The Group is currently developing three new properties, one each in Auckland CBD, Christchurch and Kaikoura.
Responsible Management
“Our strategic approach to our place in the environment encompasses responsible management practices, sustainable and innovative buildings, and agreements with sustainably focused suppliers. It encourages us to buy local and hold all our procurement under the same thought process. We believe that achieving carboNZero Certification is central to this strategy, not only because of its demonstrable environmental value but also because of its benefit to guests,” he said.
According to Mr Jhunjhnuwala, people are increasingly choosing products and services that demonstrate a responsible approach to the environment.
It is critical, from sustainability and competitive standpoint, that hospitality providers show leadership in registering and reducing emissions, he said.
A challenge to hotels
“Many of our guests come from overseas to see New Zealand’s famously beautiful natural environment, and they expect to see hotels doing their part to protect it. As the first, and currently only hotel group with carboNZero-certified properties, we want to challenge others in our sector to follow our lead,” he said.
Dr Ann Smith, Chief Executive of Enviro-Mark Solutions which issues the Certificate, said that the process of achieving carboNZero certification is rigorous.
“Applicants first measure all the activities in their business that create carbon emissions in line with international measurement standards, which are then audited by an independent third party. Organisations must then set reduction targets and develop projects to reduce emission levels from the most significant emission sources in their business and offset their carbon emissions through purchasing carbon credits,” she said.
Optimising efficiencies
Dr Smith said that as a carboNZero-Certified Organisation, Sudima Hotels has selected credits from a variety of credible local and overseas projects that contribute to projects such as native forest regeneration and wind farming.
“For Sudima Lake Rotorua, 323 Luoyang LFG Project in China credits have chosen to offset its remaining carbon emissions. The carboNZero Programme helps companies to identify opportunities to maximise efficiencies in their businesses, to review their supply chain and initiate more environmentally responsible practices. Most carboNZero-certified organisations are also able to identify opportunities to reduce their costs, partly through becoming more energy-efficient,” she said.
Annual Audit
Dr Smith said that as the only hotel chain in New Zealand to achieve this Certification, Sudima Hotels is a leader with an ongoing commitment to reduce its impact on the environment. Sudima Hotels is now in a process of continual improvement, and an annual audit is required to maintain certification.
Other Honours
Among the other honours and citations that Sudima Hotels has received include the ‘Environment Tourism Award’ at the New Zealand Tourism Awards 2017, the ‘Silver Stevie Award’ in August 2018 (second place in the ‘Corporate Social Responsibility Programme of the Year in Asia, Australia and New Zealand,’ and ‘Bronze and Gold Rating’ by Be. Accessible.
“I would love to see a carbon emissions register in New Zealand. We have the ability to establish benchmarks in New Zealand and can keep our industry and businesses in general accountable for their emissions reduction, Mr Jhunjhnuwala said.
Community Initiatives
Sudima Christchurch Airport was the first hotel in the City to install electric car charging stations, followed by similar facilities at Sudima Auckland Airport Hotel.
Since 2013, the Group has been offering a tertiary scholarship for young Maori of Ngati Whakaue descent. Every weekday, Sudima Hotels serve breakfast to hungry school children at the Kawaha Point Primary School in Rotorua and provides breakfast for Rotorua’s homeless population through Love Soup Rotorua.
