UK: Radisson Blu Hotel, Bengaluru Outer Ring Road has become the first hotel in Radisson Hotel Group’s global portfolio to be awarded the LEED Net Zero Carbon Certificate by the US Green Building Council.
Issued by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), the Radisson Blu Hotel, Bengaluru Outer Ring Road property has achieved the certification through its building technology, control and operations, reduction in carbon footprint and investments in renewable energy.
LEED Net Zero Carbon certification looks at lessening the impact of buildings on the environment and LEED has provided a framework for high performance buildings and spaces, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions through strategies impacting land, energy, transportation, water, waste and materials.
USGBC has developed LEED Zero, an addition to LEED that verifies the achievement of net zero goals in existing buildings and Radisson Blu Hotel, Bengaluru Outer Ring Road is the first hotel in Radisson Hotel Group’s global portfolio to achieve it.
To achieve this certification the hotel has fully offset its annual carbon emissions of 4,038 Metric Tonnes caused due to its transportation, electricity and diesel use.
This was done via a combination of strategies which included solar power plants (both on- and offsite), an onsite biogas plant and through the purchase of Gold Standard Verified Carbon Units for the remaining emissions.
The onsite and offsite solar power plant itself generates energy, which ensures that the hotel building is entirely powered by green energy and maintains net-zero energy consumption throughout the year.
Other sustainable operations include:
- EV transportation solutions: Most of the hotel’s cars used for guest commutes are EVs and in addition, these cars charge on site with electricity that is generated from the hotel’s solar plant.
- Waste management: To avoid using single-use plastic bottled water, the hotel has installed an in-house water bottling plant and refills glass bottles used in all guest rooms, restaurants and banquet facilities. This system avoided more than a tonne of plastic waste every year.
- Rainwater harvesting and circular water use: The hotel minimises water use with a rainwater capture, reuse, and recharge system in place. More than 40 per cent of the roof area is used for storing in the rainwater sump and re-using the captured rainwater for domestic purpose through a softener plant. The water used for the on-site laundry is 100 per cent circular. An ETP (Effluent Treatment Plant) of 40 Kilolitres per day (KLD) has been installed to recycle all the hotel’s laundry water.
- In-house bio-gas plant: Converts waste into biogas which is sufficient to fully supply the staff canteen for cooking purposes. A by-product of the process is high-quality organic sludge, which is further used to fertilise the gardens. This has allowed the hotel to completely move away from non-organic fertilisers and achieve 100 per cent circularity as far as organic waste management is concerned, making it an industry first in the hospitality sector in India.
Austin Roach, chairman, Radisson Blu Hotel, Bengaluru Outer Ring Road – A venture by Roach Lifescapes said: “After our LEED Platinum 4.1 O+M which is based on the highest environmental performance in building technology and operations, we took additional steps to excel as the first LEED Net Zero Carbon certified hotel in the entire Radisson Hotel Group Portfolio. At Radisson Blu Hotel, Bengaluru Outer Ring Road sustainability is not about following a trend, but is a sincere way of life and a way to attract and retain business.”
Inge Huijbrechts, chief sustainability and security officer, Radisson Hotel Group said: “As a global brand and leading hospitality group, we are committed to become Net Zero by 2050.
“Hotels like Radisson Blu Hotel, Bengaluru Outer Ring Road, and its owner, Mr. Roach, reflect true commitment to sustainability leadership. The LEED Net Zero Carbon certification shows that the path to Net Zero is feasible today and a leading example for hotel owners around the world. Together, we will continue to innovate and expand our efforts globally.”
Last year we reviewed the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, Stockholm.
Image: Raddison Hotel Group