Rotana Corporate Sustainability Report 2014

77 Whilst we are committed to providing the highest standard of luxury products and services to our customers, we are conscious that buildings account for about 40% of global energy and 25% of global water use, with significant impact on the world’s carbon footprint. Buildings are also a prime origin of municipal solid waste which is expected to double in volume over the next 10 years, presenting grave environmental and social challenges. This makes energy, water and waste management a clear priority from the design stage to the operation. We are working to integrate green building criteria in our new projects standards taking into consideration architectural design, building materials, mechanical, electrical and plumbing requirements. Eco-hotel rooms In January 2014, Rotana participated in the World Future Energy Summit, Sustainable Living Expo by showcasing a real size hotel room suite, a concept that is based on water and energy efficient solutions for urban environments, aiming to promote sustainability and resource conservation in urban areas by using the environmental, technological, economic, and social dynamics for selecting building materials, furniture, equipments electronics, room management system, decorative items, sanitary wares, carpets and tiles. The Rotana eco-hotel exemplifies good eco standards for the hotel industry and for Rotana to hopefully become the new standard to which the next generation of hotels strive to emulate. It is innovative and pushing the hospitality industry standards on gainful, environmental responsible design, procurement and operation. Green Building Design Eco-hotel at the Sustainable Living Expo at WFES 2014, UAE Eco-hotel layout of the Sustainable Living Expo at WFES 2014