WORLD – The Ascott Limited has embarked on a global sustainability drive as it strives to become the world’s leading green serviced residence company.
Its Go Green @ Ascott initiative, launched across the group’s offices and propertities worldwide, targets to achieve 15 per cent savings in water and energy consumption by 2015, using 2008 as the base year.
In 2011, Ascott consumed nine per cent less water and energy compared with 2008. The 225,000 cubic metres of water saved would fill more than 90 Olympic swimming pools and the 18,000 megawatt hours of energy saved equates to the annual consumption of 3,500 households.
“Ascott can make a significant positive impact on the environment, across the 21 countries and more than 70 cities where we operate,” Ascott’s Chief Corporate Officer and Chairman of Ascott’s Green Committee which oversees the company’s global sustainability efforts, Tony Soh, said. “That’s why we are taking proactive and meaningful steps to transform our business practices and promote sustainability among our staff, residents and business partners. Ascott is committed to playing its part in the global sustainability effort. It is the right thing to do, in order to safeguard our planet for future generations.”
Ascott will focus on five areas to realise its green vision:
· Green Buildings
Ascott will incorporate green elements in all new properties to be built or renovated, creating sustainable residences that are both comfortable and resource/energy efficient. This includes the use of sustainable building materials or products that are locally sourced, more energy efficient and more durable, and consequently with less impact on the environment.
· Environment, Health and Safety
Ascott has put in place comprehensive environment, health and safety procedures across its serviced residences. To date, its properties in nine countries: Australia, China, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom and Vietnam, have received international certifications on environmental management (ISO 14001) and occupational health and safety management system (OHSAS 18001).
· Green Products
Ascott has established procurement guidelines to increase the use of green products at its serviced residences. For instance, Ascott has introduced energy-saving light bulbs, solar water heaters, sensor lighting, biodegradable laundry bags and bathroom amenities with innovative and recyclable packaging to reduce waste. At Somerset JieFangBei Chongqing, Ascott replaced 800 11-volt lamps with four-volt lamps in public areas. This translates to savings of over 3,500 kilowatt hours per month, the equivalent power consumption of 25 average-sized refrigerators.
· Water, Energy, Paper and Waste Reduction
Ascott has implemented green practices to promote theconservation of water, energy and paper as well as the reduction of waste. Since 2009, Ascott’s serviced residence directory is available for download on its website which reduced the number of print copies and saved more than 8,000 kg of paper every year.
Other examples of sustainability initiatives at Ascott’s properties include offering long-stay residents the option not to have daily housekeeping, the installation of water-saving devices in toilet cisterns, the use of recycling bins and providing reusable eco-bags or shopping trolleys which reduce the use of disposable grocery bags.
Ascott recycled and distributed more than 40 tonnes of furniture to charitable organisations and groups in need after the refurbishment of Citadines Prestige Trafalgar Square London.
· Stakeholder Engagement
An Ascott Earth Day is held every first Friday of the month at Ascott’s offices and properties worldwide. On this day, staff and residents are encouraged to dress down while the air-conditioning at the offices and properties are adjusted to conserve energy. Similarly, staff and residents in temperate countries are encouraged to wear warmer clothing as the heating temperature is reduced. Ascott’s offices and properties will also switch off beacon signage lights and other non-essential lightings for 10 hours from 8pm.
In Vietnam, staff from Somerset Chancellor Court Ho Chi Minh City and Somerset Ho Chi Minh City travelled more than 250 kilometres to the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang to grow two hectares of mangrove forest which had been destroyed by storms. In Manila, Ascott Makati offers a Green Meetings Package providing recyclable notebooks and white boards instead of flip charts as well as personalised water goblets in place of paper cups. In addition, Ascott Makati provides residents an eco-menu that requires less cooking and, therefore, less energy consumption.
Ascott claims to be the largest global serviced residence owner-operator with circa 30,000 serviced accommodations including 8,000 under development in key cities throughout Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Gulf region.
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The Ascott Limited launches green initiatives with 15% energy and water reduction target
