HCIMA can help cut energy use

In response to Martin Cartwright's concern about the introduction of the Climate Change Levy (Caterer, 15 February, page 21), the good news is that help is at hand.

The HCIMA's Hospitable Climates programme, launched last year (Caterer, 17 February 2000), helps to reduce energy consumption in the UK hotel industry - by as much as 20-40% for most individual businesses. This more than compensates for the additional 15% on energy bills imposed by the introduction of the levy.

The Hospitable Climates programme is a comprehensive energy-reduction scheme that is totally free of charge to the accommodation industry. The level of benefits, both financial and practical, that can be gained from the introduction of the Climate Change Levy will depend on the actions of each individual hotelier. With just under a month to go before the levy is introduced on 1 April, can anyone afford not to sign up to Hospitable Climates?

Rosemary Morrison, Director of Special Projects, HCIMA, London.