QHotels is rolling out the green carpet to delegates as it announces that is has successfully reduced energy consumption year on year by 61% across its group of 21 unique hotels – smashing its target of 30%.

QHotels Managing Director Michael Purtill said: “As the chair of our CSR steering group, I am delighted that we have surpassed our CSR goals, which were largely achieved by bringing together a dedicated team to ensure environmental best practice across the group. In 2009 all 21 hotels and our central office were awarded either a silver or bronze Green Tourism Business Scheme accreditation and we introduced measures such as water flow regulators for all showers and digital gas meters that can record data every half hour. These energy-saving initiatives mean we have saved 2,747 tonnes of C02 – and we’re constantly looking for new ways to reduce this even further.”

To mark the achievement, The Queens Hotel in Leeds replaced its iconic red carpet leading to the entrance with green turf. Hotel General Manager David Kanarens said: “Reducing energy consumption has been a massive priority for us at The Queens. Our in house Green Team is absolutely committed to getting us all to think and act green. We know that corporate responsibility is high on the agenda of many companies and conference organisers who are constantly striving to find more efficient ways of working. We are passionate about ensuring all of our guests can reduce their carbon footprint whilst hosting their meeting an event at a QHotel.”

QHotels is also encouraging suppliers to take a green approach to business: in 2009 QHotels’ director of procurement Andrew Tait developed a checklist for existing and prospective suppliers to ensure the environmental charter was carried across all areas of the business. This process has led to use of Fair Trade tea, sustainable coffee and hot chocolate in hotel bedrooms and all QHotels are actively encouraged to introduce more locally supplied food to their menus.

Not content with their achievements so far, QHotels is continuing to implement further green targets for 2010/11. Plans include ensuring a ratio of 70/30 in favour of recycling to landfill, compared to the industry standard ratio of landfill waste vs. recycling of 50/50.