• The Group's 2008-2012 Environmental Action Plan delivered a significant reduction in energy and water consumption, waste generation and carbon emissions. Moreover, it generated €33m of savings for the Company


• NH Hotel Group, a standard-setting hotel chain in sustainable solutions, has introduced environmentally-friendly initiatives at all its establishments

Coinciding with World Environment Day, NH Hotel Group has been awarded the European Business Award for the Environment in the 'Business & Biodiversity' category. These prizes are awarded by the European Union's Directorate-General for the Environment and given by Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia.

The prize specifically rewards the Company's 2008-2012 Environmental Action Plan, which comprises over 50 initiatives, ranging from electric vehicle charging stations to the replacement of conventional bulbs with LED lighting, the reuse of corks bottle stoppers and the use of biodegradable materials for certain amenities such as laundry bags, among others. The Plan's initial targets were amply surpassed thanks to the involvement of senior management, all of the chain's professionals and even its guests. This Plan delivered savings of 25% in energy consumption, 31% in water usage, 34% in waste generation and 44% in carbon emissions. Moreover, application of the Plan's efficiency and innovation solutions generated savings of €33m for the Group.

"At NH we believe that environmental certifications constitute a service quality seal for our guests. Environmental protection and efficient resource management are core strategic issues for the Company"according to Mónica Chao, Environment & Sustainability Corporate Manager at NH Hotel Group.

The almost 400 establishments operated by NH in 28 different countries are equipped with eco-friendly solutions that certify its guest stays as among the most innovative in the market from the environmental standpoint. The Group is in the process of drafting a new Sustainability Plan. The goal is to achieve more stringent sustainability targets than those attained to date and place the spotlight on innovation and bringing sustainability to our guests as part of their overall experience in our hotels.

Unwavering environmental pledge

Sustainability has been driving innovation and efficiency and unlocking value for the Company since 2008. NH Hotel Group was the first hotel chain to certify its energy efficiency management system under the ISO 50001 standard, the NH Eurobuilding(Madrid) being the first hotel in Europe to obtain this seal, and the first to incorporate sustainability thinking as a whole across its entire hotel portfolio. Its environmental management system is also ISO 14001 certified at the international level and the results of its Environmental Action Plan are assessed by an independent external expert.

The Group has obtained the Greenlight stamp for its entire hotel chain and the Green Building seal for five of its hotels: NH Príncipe de la Paz(Aranjuez), NH Central de Convenciones(Seville), NH Pódium(Barcelona), NH Bálago(Valladolid) and NH Bérgamo(Bérgamo).

Elsewhere, in the meetings & events segment, NH Hotel Group offers a sustainability solution coined Ecomeeting which implies the responsible consumption of energy resources as well as the use of environmentally-friendly products for business meeting purposes. Meeting organisers are also offered the chance to offset the carbon emissions generated by their events (including travel) by means of a minimal surcharge per attendee.

The Company has integrated the sustainability concept into all its business processes, injecting innovation and sustainability into its products and services and rendering its hotels among the most efficient in the marketplace in terms of their energy management and carbon footprints.

About NH Hotel Group

NH Hotel Group (www.nh-hotels.com) is Europe's third-ranked business hotel chain. The Company operates close to 400 hotels with almost 60,000 rooms in 28 countries across Europe, the Americas and Africa, including top destinations such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bogota, Berlin, Brussels, Buenos Aires, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Mexico City, Milan, Munich, New York, Rome and Vienna.

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