Diversey congratulates Emmy Stoel, General Manager of the Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, for winning the EHMA Sustainability Award 2021.
The EHMA Sustainability Award is awarded in co-operation with Diversey to an EHMA member who successfully implemented innovative sustainability projects during the previous year.
Diversey aims to contribute to a profitable hospitality industry that puts the environment and guests first. It has been remarkable to watch the hospitality industry raise the bar on sustainability and in particular, the circular economy. The circularity of resources and materials is being integrated into hotels and their operations in new and innovative ways. Every year, EHMA and Diversey present a sustainability award to the Hotel Manager who most successfully implemented innovative sustainability projects during the previous year.
This year’s challenge has been more significant than ever having to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet, it has sparked creativity in exploring new avenues to maintain and improve business. This year’s award was therefore not limited to sustainability achievements, it also included projects related to safety, care, and well-being.
A jury comprised of Verena Radlgruber-Forstinger (EHMA 1st Vice President), Daniel Daggett (Vice President Corporate Sustainability at Diversey) and, Arjan van Rheede (independent judge from a reputable research institute on sustainability and the international hospitality industry) chose this year’s winner. The selected candidates were:
- Giuseppe Falconieri – Laguna Palace Hotel, Grado, Italy
- Johannes Lehberger – Hotel Schloss Lebenberg, Kitzbuehel, Austria
- Vito Spalluto – L’Andana Resort, Castiglione della Pescaia, Italy
- Emmy Stoel – Hotel Sofitel Legend The Grand, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
All applications were compelling and deserving of the award. The projects demonstrated innovation and commitment to social responsibility, sustainable development, and environmental stewardship. Throughout the award’s 10-year history, it is evident that EHMA members have embedded sustainability deeply in their operations and culture.
We saw new technology and sustainability approaches combined with social responsibility initiatives and commitments. For example, Laguna Palace Hotel introduced green energy through solar and thermal systems. L’Andana Resort achieved 26% energy reduction by solar technology and managed 64% waste reduction. 3,5ha of the surrounding area is dedicated to natural preservation and during the Corona pandemic, the resort hosted health care personnel for free. Another example is Hotel Schloss Lebenberg, which managed to recycle an impressive 90% of their plastic and 85% of their paper waste and use their food waste for fermentation gas production.
Yet, this year’s EHMA Sustainability Award 2021 goes to Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam. They created a roof garden for restaurant use, installed a geothermal heating system and a rainwater collection and watering system. They also started an impressive range of recycling projects and many community projects for poor, lonely, or homeless people. Sofitel Legend The Grand demonstrated sustainability across the three pillars of environment, society, and financial success.
Congratulations to Mrs. Emmy Stoel and the team at Hotel Sofitel Legend The Grand!
