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Under Community, the programme aims to help and support the local community by buying, whenever possible, locally made items and raw materials, and employing local people at all levels.
BANGKOK – Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld is aiming for the highest standards in green tourism by operating CEPPER, its own environmental programme. CEPPER relates to all aspects of hotel operations and is operated in conjunction with international environmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, and Thai government departments and agencies.
“Tourism is an industry that has enormous benefits for the host country, but which can also have a severe environmental impact,” says Robert Maurer-Loeffler, General Manager of Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld. “Our aim is to prevent any negative impact at any level, and this means a complete monitoring and awareness of the entire workings of the hotel.”
The acronym CEPPER stands for Community, Eco technology, Partnership with government agencies and NGOs, Products and materials that are non-harmful to the environment, Education for staff and guests, and Recycle.
Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, which opened in late 2008, began immediately working with EarthCheck, the international organisation that sets benchmarks for environmental awareness and conservation for the international hospitality industry, and which provides on-line tools for implementation of programmes.
The year 2010 saw the hotel awarded EarthCheck Bronze Certification, followed the next year by elevation to Silver Certification.
To achieve Silver Certification a hotel is required to have a sustainable policy in place and to implement an environmental action plan for proper monitoring and measurements on 10 key performance areas, namely greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, management of freshwater resources, ecosystem conservation and management, social and cultural management, land use planning and management, air quality protection, wastewater management, solid waste management, and elimination of environmentally harmful substances.
Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld is working closely with the Thai government’s Green Leaf programme, having gained certification for is smoke-free programme in 2010, and is currently in the middle of a two-year Green Leaf programme for Spa Cenvaree. This includes the sourcing of seasonal fruits and flowers to make skin-care products and packages, and working closely with specialist suppliers to ensure that packaging is minimised and that all products are environmentally friendly.
“CEPPER allows us to focus, and to set and achieve objectives that individually and cumulatively have far-reaching effects,” says Mr Maurer-Loeffler. “The programme also affects the way in which we as individuals view the environment, and how we can each play a part in making this a better world.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
