The new Environmental Strategic Plan 2008-2012 was launched in 2008. It is based on an in-depth impact of the group on the environment in terms of energy and water consumption, CO2 emissions ad waste generation. It also analyzed the manner of managing hotels. An analysis was also made of the hotel establishments, practices and supplies. As a result, objectives were set to achieve overall reductions in consumption and emissions and policies and procedures were designed with a view to reducing them. This Plan will enable the group to meet the targets set in the European Union’s 20-20-20 Plan in four years.

As part of the putting into effect of the Environmental Strategic Plan, NH Hoteles has designed 42 actions for global application which are being implemented through corporate programs. The action areas in the Plan include monitoring and evaluating consumption, emissions and waste, the introduction of renewable energy, the use of the most advanced technology in energy efficiency and the introduction of assurances and sustainability parameters in the supplier selection process. NH Hoteles’ commitment to sustainability is complimented by a series of overall actions that aim to raise the environmental awareness of both employees and guests and to minimize the consumption of natural resources and reduce our impact on communities where we operate.

Within the strategy of analysing and comparing reports, the use of consumption ratios to carry out the monitoring and evaluation of increases or decreases has been established as a new standard procedure for the entire group. In general terms, this ratio reflects the ratio of Kwh or m3 consumed per guest during a night’s stay. The use of ratios presents advantages such as those derived from their comparability with other members of the sector who use similar indices, the easy interpretation of data and the systematic and precise measurement of the progress in the introduction of improvements. The overall results for 2008 show, despite a decrease in absolute consumption values, the decrease in occupation levels during the last three quarters of 2008 had an impact on the ratio recorded per guest/night.

In 2008, the overall results for compared hotels show a significant decrease in the absolute consumption of energy (3.9%). The consumption ratio in Kwh/Guest Night has slightly increased due to the impact of a lower level of occupation.

Similarly, the overall results for water consumption show a significant reduction (9,4%) as a result of the initiatives implemented. The ratio of water consumed per guest night has also recorded an improvement with a reduction of 4.3% on the basis of the measurement established in 2007.

Among the measures taken to start reducing consumption we are able to mention:

• Replacement of traditional taps for alternative ones, that will make optimal use of water throughout the chain.
  
  
• Replacement of traditional lighting with more efficient and durable alternatives that consume less. In 2009 this will be implemented in 100% of our hotels.
  
  
• Consistent implementation of temperature control policies: 21º maximum in winter and 24º minimum in summer.
  
  
• Ensuring efficient maintenance of the fittings which eliminate energy loss in equipment (such as boilers) and replacement with the most efficient technology available.
  
  
• Good working practices promoted through the commitment of some employees who have been duly trained.
  
  
• Heat management and control systems that detect human presence and de-activate consumption elements when no one is present.
  
  
• Adjustment in the number of towels per room so as to avoid duplication by a single guest.
  
  
• Procedure for changing towels and sheets which offers an alternative to them not being changed at the guest’s requests as opposed to automatic changing.
  
  
• Pay per print, project developed jointly with Telefónica and Kyocera, as assurance that equipment installed is technologically advanced and energetically efficient.
  
  
• A specific project has been launched in kitchens which enables the energy efficiency of equipment, ovens and kitchens to be controlled given that these areas can represent more than 25% of the total hotel consumption. Training has also led to an increase in good operating practices by kitchen users. Currently, this project is being implemented in 21 hotels in Spain whose invoicing for food is high and who thus have a high level of energy consumption .

The CO2 equivalent we refer to comes from direct and indirect emissions. In 2008, the reduction in energy consumption and the better use of renewable sources translated into a decrease of 2.8% in the direct and indirect emission of CO2 equivalent.

The Environmental Strategic Plan continues to improve the use of renewal energy. In 2008, its introduction exceeded the objectives for the year by replacing direct sources of CO2 emission. Today NH Hoteles has some 1,785 m2 of panels providing installed power of 1.757.849 Kwh. A further 845 m2 will soon be added, which will give additional installed power of 912,441 Kwh. NH Hoteles already has 129 energy suppliers with the “Guarantee of Origin” seal which certifies their origin from renewable sources.

Some of the measures applied to achieve the objective of reducing waste:

• Periodic evaluation of the generation rates and segregation of waste per client/night.
  
  
• Encouragement of rubbish segregation in those hotels where the local authorities facilitate selective collections.
  
  
• Minimize the use of packaging. Adoption of alternatives of compactable packaging instead of rigid ones in order to reduce the volume of waste.
  
  
• Negotiations with suppliers to adopt product alternatives which minimize the use of bottles.
  
  
• Recycling of cooking oil in Spain, delivering it to the Grupo Bionor to be turned into bio diesel.
  
  
• New biodegradable office materials.
  
  
• Replacement of the traditional laundry bags made from plastic by their biodegradable alternative which is made from potato starch.
  
  
• Elimination of individual plastic water bottles at the central offices.
  
  
• In Germany, installation of soap and shampoo dispensers to replace individual bottles which enables waste from personal hygiene products to be avoided and diminishes the generating of packaging.

Management evaluation of the environmental performance of our suppliers has become a key element of our environmental strategic plan. In view of this, in 2008, 25 evaluations were conducted to select suppliers, with separate questionnaires, applying environmental criteria such as compliance with local environmental legislation, the existence of a policy, objectives, indicators, audits, accreditations, etc. The subsequent assessment of compliance with these parameters has led to the awarding of supply or service contracts such as for furniture, carpets, electrical and electronic equipment and products. The aim for the coming years is that the importance of environmental criteria in the selecting of suppliers will be greater and to expand the parameters gathered through the current questionnaire and incorporate into it eco-design, product recycling, etc.

NH Hoteles is looking to generate special partnership agreements with the most sustainable suppliers and, together with them, has set up the NH Sustainable Group. The aim is to work with them in search of innovative solutions and in the development of solutions characterised by eco-efficiency.

In 2008 five training modules were developed related to the environment, which are being integrated within the chain’s overall strategy on Corporate Responsibility:  Two general modules that project the vision of NH Hoteles on climate change, the greenhouse effect, pollution, etc; Three specific modules for maintenance, housekeeping and kitchen staff.

This training is implemented through an e-learning platform and it will be mandatory for the entire staff during 2009. In addition, the "Principles of Environmental Care" will be distributed illustrating graphically the importance of small day to day actions and their contribution on achieving the overall objectives.

El concepto NH Blue se plasmó en una campaña denominada "Have an NH Blue Stay" que invita a nuestros clientes a implicarse durante su estancia, contribuyendo con sus acciones a alcanzar el objetivo de que, al alojarse en un Hotel NH su impacto sobre el medio sea menor que en cualquier otra cadena, y quizá menos que en su propia casa. Esta campaña se comunica a través de diferentes mensajes.

- ISO 1401 (176 Kb).