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The fact is that actually, hotels must commit an initial investment to undertake green steps to become certified by a qualified institution.

In achieving the primary status of Green Globe Bronze Certification, known as the benchmarking process, corporations must first establish a sustainability policy.
 

Hotels must be committed to benchmarking their energy and water consumption, total waste production, paper consumption, and community commitment. By using the science of the Earthcheck Benchmarking system, corporations will be able to measure and monitor their ecological footprint and assess areas of operations where further improvements can be made.

We have not yet been assessed through the Earthcheck Benchmarking system. However, once we undergo this assessment, improvements are usually apparent 10-12 months after the Benchmarked Certification is obtained.

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The benchmarking step requires the following key performance areas to be addressed in the Standard and is aimed at improving the overall sustainability of the organisation: greenhouse gas emissions; energy efficiency, conservation and management; management of freshwater resources; ecosystem conservation and management; management of social and cultural issues; land use planning and management; air quality protection and noise control; waste water management; solid waste management; and storage of environmentally harmful substances.

Following the benchmarking process is certification, which is defined into four sectors – compliance, to comply with relevant legislation and policy requirements; approach, to implement an environmental and socially sustainable approach; performance, to document performance outcomes; and finally, communication, to communicate and consult with interested parties.

Once all four steps have been achieved, EC3 Global will assess to determine whether corporations are qualified to obtain certification. Subsequently, if organisations sustain Green Globe Silver Certification for five years, the Gold Certification is awarded. Thereafter, with 10 years of commitment continuously sustained, the final Platinum Certification is rewarded.

Dusit is expected to obtain the bronze benchmarked status by third quarter 2010, followed by silver certification. Our properties have installed energy saving light bulbs, encouraged internal communication via e-mail, saved used water for gardening purposes, and requested for non- additional packaging for its bulk amenity orders.

Dusit actively provides facts and figures on how our staff can impact the environment through small actions and decisions made in everyday life, such as switching off unnecessary lights or computer screens, minimising use of napkins, taking the stairs instead of elevator, and taking public transportation or walking, rather than driving.

We have a corporate social responsibility to bring about change and a new world order that can only result in an enduring and successful long term future for our shareholders, partners, staff and our guests, and most importantly, the global environment.Becoming a green corporation may be challenging, but that does not mean we should not try.