I'm delighted to see the attention being paid to pressing environmental matters, the latest being "The big energy debate" (Caterer, 27 July, page 48).

The recent bout of hot weather has brought the issues even closer to home, with dusty river beds and dried-up village ponds, and last week saw parts of London lose power for several hours because of the increased demand for air conditioning. It's therefore paramount that we look at ways of conserving resources rather than expending them in the somewhat cavalier way that many of us do.

A host of hoteliers are already taking things seriously, and I would urge other interested parties to visit www.consideratehoteliers.com to read about and enter the Considerate Hotel of the Year Awards 2006.

The awards, supported by the British Hospitality Association and HCIMA, and sponsored by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme), Envirowise, Oxford Brookes/Sustain and Hospitable Climates, have set out four challenges that will test the environmental mettle of entrants while conserving resources and saving money.

Nearly everything we do in the hospitality industry impacts on the environment and our quality of life. It's no longer an option to ignore it. Make a difference!

John Firrell
Secretary, Considerate Hoteliers Association

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