A brighter shade of green

A brighter shade of green

The Nordic hotel chain, Scandic, which has nine hotels in the Copenhagen area, has taken social responsibility a step further. Since 1996 the chain has worked with a strict environmental program and all its Copenhagen hotels are certified with the Swan Label. Scandic doesn't just boast effective energy usage and serve organic foods, when its furniture, bedding etc are replaced they are donated to shelters for the homeless. Scandic has recently been awarded the IMEX Green Meetings Award for its sustainable meetings products.

The Arp-Hansen Hotel Group's environmental efforts have resulted in all ten of their hotels qualifying for the Green Key in recognition of their effectiveness at reducing energy and water consumption; minimising waste; introducing organic produce; and creating a healthy environment in which to work and stay. Next year, the Arp-Hansen Hotel Group will open the Tivoli Hotel**** and the Tivoli Congress Centre, both of which will be certified with the Green Key.

Scandinavia's largest hotel chain, Choice Hotels, offering ten hotels in the Copenhagen area, is also aiming to be a leader in environmental awareness. All of its hotels are powered by 100% hydroelectric energy, so, the chain avoids CO2 emissions from electricity, water and heating. And, by the end of 2009, all its hotels will be certified in accordance to the international environmental standard, ISO 14001. Meanwhile, the chain donates an amount for every guest during 2009 towards saving 100 square per guest night metres of rain-forest: a total area of 700 square kilometres.

The family-owned hotel chain, Brøchner Hotels, with four hotels in Copenhagen, is now a recognised 'Klima+ frontløber' ('Climate+ front-runner'). Klima+ is a climate initiative taken by the Copenhagen municipality for companies who wish to reduce their impact on the climate. The 'front-runners' are those who are judged to be making an extraordinary effort. Joining the Klima+ program was a natural step for Brøchner Hotels after the chain became carbon neutral in 2008. All hotels are certified by the Green Key and offer electric cars for rent to their guest.

The Danish hotel chain Guldsmeden, with three hotels in Copenhagen, is another good choice for the environmentally conscious consumer. In addition to providing an organic breakfast and dinner, the hotel produces its own organic personal care products and only purchases CO2-free energy from natural sources. In addition, the Axel Hotel Guldsmeden is the only hotel in Scandinavia to feature on the Green Globe list which sets the highest standards for approval of sustainable tourism.

Meanwhile, both Hilton Copenhagen Airport***** hotel and the city's three Radisson Blu hotels have recently received the Swan Label.

The recently opened Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers**** is located in a new, CO2 neutral building which is cooled and heated by Denmark's first ground water-based cooling and heating system, and a facade covered with high-tech solar panels which makes the hotel - also Green Key certified - one of the world's most climate friendly hotels.