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IHG streamlines green certification for new-build hotels

IHG announced that its online sustainability program, IHG Green Engage, is now recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council under its LEED Volume program and Green Key Global as providing streamlined pathways to certification.

IHG said it is the first hotel company to provide an approach to precertification for new-build hotels under the LEED 2009 for New Construction rating system. This is IHG’s second LEED designation; the company earlier was recognized for providing LEED precertification for existing hotels.

The IHG Green Engage program assists IHG-branded hotels in meeting and tracking several of the LEED and GKG metrics. LEED is a green building tool that addresses the entire building lifecycle, recognizing best-in-class building strategies. The Green Key Global certification is an eco-rating program that evaluates, inspects and certifies hotels based on their commitment to sustainable “green” operations.

There are currently five LEED certified and 124 GKG certified IHG-branded hotels.

“Our research shows that over 70% of frequent travelers prefer hotels that are engaged with their environment, and we expect a growing number of guests who want to book greener hotel rooms,” said Paul Snyder, IHG’s vice president of corporate responsibility and sustainability. “LEED and GKG are well-respected industry certifications and a ‘stamp’ of approval that highlight hotels’ ‘green’ achievements.”

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