URBN Hotels has chosen Swiss based carbon experts, South Pole, to continue their offsetting initiative
Just two weeks before the long awaited global climate conference in Copenhagen, URBN Hotels and South Pole have launched a partnership with a voluntary offsetting program. URBN has been a carbon neutral hotel since its launch in 2007, and they remain dedicated to their carbon neutral initiative. “Our offsetting projects makes URBN the first of its kind in China and allows travellers to enjoy their stay in our hotels with neutral CO2 emissions,” says Jules Kwan, Managing Director of URBN.
As part of URBN’s guiding principles, Managing Director Scott Barrack says, “Carbon neutrality is only one part of URBN’s sustainable philosophy and CSR program. We fully engage ourselves in sustainable building practices, sustainable management practices and community and charity sponsorship. We hope to inspire other companies and communities to adopt sustainable practices as part of their core beliefs.“
This approach has served as a positive example for climate awareness in daily life and operation across China and beyond. As Caspar Chiquet, a Swiss born Beijing resident from South Pole, explained: “URBN’s commitment is proof that Chinese companies are aware and care. Acting in the forefront of climate change mitigation is not a mission of the West but of all responsible human beings willing to shape a sustainable world.”
South Pole is one of the first carbon companies worldwide. The South Pole Corporation expanded to China in 2007, opening a satellite office in Beijing. Since then, South Pole’s international team from 16 countries has sourced and supported 151 projects in the People’s Republic of China. These projects range from micro-hydro plants in rural Yunnan to energy projects in emerging industrial areas, avoiding emissions of an equivalent of 17,240,565t CO2 until 2012. South Pole is No. 1 when it comes to voluntary emission reductions in China.
On behalf of URBN Hotels, South Pole will use Voluntary Emission Reductions (VERs) from a Chinese run-off river hydropower station to offset the hotels’ remaining greenhouse gas emissions. The project is located in Sichuan province and exports renewable electricity to the regional grid. This will replace electricity from fossil fuel based power plants, therefore reducing greenhouse gas emissions and significantly amending local air quality. By supporting this project, URBN Hotels is contributing to the climate change mitigation efforts and sustainable development goals of China as set by President Hu Jintao earlier this year.
About South Pole Carbon Asset Management Ltd.
South Pole is one of the world’s leading high quality carbon offsetting companies with ten offices around the globe. In over 20 countries South Pole enables the implementation and operation of high-quality projects that reduce greenhouse gases. Their portfolio comprises projects in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste management, methane avoidance, and many other sectors. The Swiss based company sells high quality emission reductions on both the voluntary and the compliance carbon markets and is advising governments, NGOs, companies, and individuals all over the world on carbon strategies.
