QHotels, the group of 21 four-star hotels, has been named as the top hotel group in the first Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) league table, published by the Environment Agency.
It is the second ranked hospitality company after Center Parcs and 30th out of more than 2,000 British listed organisations which have been analysed for their energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
QHotels' managing director and chair of its corporate and social responsibility steering group, Michael Purtill, said the ranking was a superb recognition of the company's commitment to energy management.
"As a group, we are very aware of the business benefits and opportunities associated with performance in the area, as the green credentials of venues are increasingly informing the decisions of our leisure customers and conference, meetings and events organisers," he said.
"Measures we have introduced to improve our carbon efficiency have included fitting low-energy lamps, pipe and roof insulation, air conditioning timers, PIR-controlled lighting, water-flow regulators for showers and digital gas meters that can record consumption every half hour.
"We have saved more than 2,747 tonnes of C02 in just one year - and we're looking to improve on that year on year."
Actions to further the group's energy efficiency in 2011 have included: rigorous targeting and monitoring of energy use, further training of all maintenance teams on energy management, implementing boiler optimisation controls, increasing recycling, and the launch of a conference carbon offset scheme which allows conference delegates the opportunity to offset the carbon they use during their conference to benefit Developing World carbon reduction projects.
QHotels recently received the AA Eco Hotel Group of the Year 2011-12 award.
Other hospitality businesses ranked above 200 in the tables are Hilton (50), Whitbread (61), Punch Taverns (103), Mitchells & Butlers (154), Marston's (161) and Restaurant Holdings (166).
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By Janet Harmer
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