IHG moves to slash £140m off energy costs

InterContinental Hotels Group hopes to save as much as $200m (£140m) on its energy costs by implementing an online system across its 3,000 hotels.

The system, called Green Engage, allows general managers to compare their energy use with hotels of similar size around the world and suggests measures that they can take to reduce waste and the consumption of energy and water.

An initial trial of the system is complete and a larger trial involving 650 hotels will be launched at this week. It is expected to be offered to all hotels in the group by mid 2009.

IHG chief executive Andrew Cosslett said: "This is an important initiative for IHG, our hotel owners and our guests. Green Engage is a practical tool designed to help improve environmental performance, reduce costs and respond to our guests increasing awareness of this issue.

"Across our estate we estimate Green Engage has the potential to drive up to $200 million of savings for our hotel owners and significantly reduce energy consumption."

Tom Corcoran, chairman of the IAHI Owners' Association, and owner of a number of hotels taking part in the Green Engage pilot, added: "Green Engage is not only good for the environment, but is also good for business.

"In the current economic climate and with rising energy bills, this tool will help us to identify significant cost savings. At the same time it delivers what our guests want - a greater sense of well-being and less impact on our planet when travelling."

• Government-backed agency Wrap (Waste & Resources Action Programme) is calling on pubs, hotels and restaurants to take part in a survey which could save money and the environment by reducing waste and increasing recycling.

Aimed at gathering information to support Wrap's ongoing work to help businesses reduce waste and boost recycling rates, a number of hospitality businesses across the UK will be offered the opportunity for a free waste audit as a part of the programme.

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By Daniel Thomas

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