Radisson Blu Launches Blu Planet for Meetings

Radisson Blu, the iconic hotel brand driven by innovation and design, is launching Blu Planet for Meetings, making meetings carbon-free at Radisson Blu hotels worldwide by the end of the year. The selected First Climate carbon offsetting projects contribute to fighting global warming and support the UN Sustainable Development goals.    “Since the COP21 climate accord, an increasing number of corporations are concerned about fighting climate change and about reducing their carbon footprints, also when they plan meetings,” says Inge Huijbrechts, Vice President of Responsible Business for Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. “We know that face-to-face meetings are crucial to business success. Research has shown they boost profitability. With Blu Planet for Meetings, we help our guests have successful Experience Meetings and help protect our environment by reducing their overall carbon footprint.” All sustainable companies calculate and report their company’s carbon footprint based on their own energy consumption, purchased energy and their supply chain footprint, which includes business travel. For each meeting or event held at a Radisson Blu hotel, the carbon footprint will be calculated and offset through Gold Standard carbon offsetting projects in Guatemala, Malawi and India, linked to water sustainability. “Water sustainability is an important commitment from Radisson Blu, and we are delighted to partner with First Climate on dedicated water projects that will have a positive impact on communities as we help provide safe drinking water,” says Huijbrechts. Blu Planet for Meetings unique carbon offsetting, combined with a series of sustainable features, ensures Radisson Blu is “as committed as you are” to making your meeting green and safe. These characteristics are:

• Advanced technology in rooms and meeting rooms, reducing paper use
• Brain Food for Meetings – an innovative food offering that keeps the delegates’ attention span constant
• A water-light Super Breakfast
• Eco-labelled venues with labels like GreenLeaders, Earthcheck or Green Key^®
• Waste recycling in all hotels
• Safehotels Alliance certification at 160+ hotels worldwide
• Blu Planet towel reuse program combining the environmental benefits with bringing safe drinking water to communities in need
• #BluRoutes – running and cycling routes to connect to your destination
• ‘This Works’ all natural amenities

“We’re also encouraging meeting planners to make sustainability come alive as part of their meeting, whether it’s through a city bicycle tour, local tree planting or a zero-carbon picnic in the park. For sustainability minded and environment friendly companies, Radisson Blu should be the brand of choice for all meetings and events, as we jointly create opportunities to promote our shared values,” said Huijbrechts. “By offsetting carbon emissions from meetings and events taking place at Radisson Blu Hotels and Resorts, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group demonstrates its commitment to a low carbon economy and makes a valuable contribution to climate change mitigation,” says Sascha Lafeld, CEO of First Climate Markets, the service provider that assists Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group in carbon emissions management. “By choosing to offset carbon emissions using high-quality Gold-Standard projects, Carlson Rezidor also contributes to the generation of multiple co-benefits in the project regions that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”

About Radisson Blu^®

Radisson Blu^® is one of the world’s leading hotel brands with 300 hotels in operation in 69 countries and territories. Radisson Blu’s vibrant, contemporary and engaging hospitality is characterized by a unique Yes I Can!^SM service philosophy, and all of its first class hotels offer a range of signature features that are empathetic to the challenges of modern travel, including the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Distinguished the world over as the brand with Hotels Designed to Say YES!^SM, Radisson Blu offers a vivid visual celebration of leading-edge style where the delight is in the detail. Radisson Blu hotels are located in prime locations in major cities, airport gateways and leisure destinations across the world. Radisson Blu is a part of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, which also includes Quorvus Collection, Radisson^®, Radisson RED, Park Plaza^®, Park Inn^® by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites By Carlson^SM.

About Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the world’s largest and most dynamic hotel companies and includes 1,440 locations in operation and under development with more than 230,000 rooms and a footprint spanning 115 countries and territories. The Carlson Rezidor portfolio includes a powerful set of global brands: Quorvus Collection, Radisson Blu^®, Radisson^®, Radisson RED, Park Plaza^®, Park Inn^® by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites By Carlson^SM. Guests can benefit from Club Carlson^SM, a program that redefines hotel rewards with a collection of exceptional benefits, services, and privileges at more than 1,000 hotels worldwide. Over 95,000 people are employed in Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group hotel systems and the company is headquartered in Minneapolis, Singapore, and Brussels.

About First Climate

First Climate was founded in 1999 in Frankfurt, Germany as a developer of global carbon reduction projects. Continuously broadening its portfolio, the company has evolved into what is today one of the leading providers of sustainability services for private and public sector organizations. With key competencies covering carbon neutrality, green energy, and water management, First Climate supports clients worldwide in achieving their sustainability objectives. As a founding member of the International Carbon Reduction and Offsetting Alliance (ICROA), First Climate is committed to the highest standards in carbon offsetting and carbon trading.