The the latest carbon footprint statistics listed in the group's 2014 Integrated Annual Report revealed that the group has cut its total greenhouse gas emissions by 16.5% in the year to end June and has slashed its emissions by 28.3% over the past four years as part of its major focus on energy efficiency, sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Significantly, the reduction to 33,044 tons of C02 equivalent in the 2014 financial year from 39,589 tons in the 2013 financial year is equal to the planting of 17,737 trees as an offset to match the 6,545 tons decrease in emissions.
The reduction of 13,805 tons of C02 equivalent over the past four years is equal to the planting of 37,412 trees to offset this level of emissions. Apart from its 51 hotels in South Africa, the group's two hotels in Nairobi, Kenya, and its hotel in Gaborone, Botswana, are included in the latest carbon footprint statistics.
Without doubt the biggest contributor to the decline in the past financial year was the group's sharp drop in electricity consumption as a result of a group-wide roll-out of energy efficient LED lighting and heat pumps. Electricity consumption fell to 30,387 tons of C02 equivalent compared to 34,908 tons in the previous year.
In addition to electricity, the group also measures water consumption, waste disposal and business travel in its overall carbon footprint and is taking continuous steps to reduce and manage these areas of its operations.
Earlier this year the group received Green Leaf Eco Standard certification for the sustainability measures it has implemented throughout the City Lodge Hotel brand. This certification is based on Responsible Tourism Guidelines including those developed prior to the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2003.
The group also has its own City Lodge Earth Day initiative which focuses on every day being earth day and encouraging guests to use resources sparingly and responsibly.
"We have paid a lot of attention to reducing our carbon footprint over the past few years and our efforts are now paying off - both for the environment and through cost savings for our hotels," said Clifford Ross, chief executive of the City Lodge Hotel Group. "As a responsible and far-sighted group, we will continue to implement measures that reduce the impact of our operations and activities on our planet."
