Very relevant to our U.S. transportation business is our environmental philosophy and track record. Accor was among the first hotel and services groups to invest in a genuine environmental policy. This policy created an Environment Department to integrate the efforts of other departments, in order to manage and resolve the challenges involved in international and national environmental considerations.

A Sustainable Development Department has also been created to execute company policy, and is managed by a senior Accor executive. These two departments ensure that environment is maintained as a key factor in the overall business strategy, and a driving force among Accor’s many thousands of employees.

Each major business unit has an environmental coordinator. To ensure effectiveness, specific actions are determined with regard to applicable issues in each country in which Accor and Accor Services operates. Concrete actions include water and energy factors, greenhouse gas emissions, tree planting, waste generation and management including numerous recycling activities, sustainable purchasing, building construction, customer awareness and information, employee awareness and information, and achievement of local certifications for performance relative to environmental goals. Monitoring is also an important concern.

Accor’s overall environmental activities are clearly detailed in the Accor Hotel Environmental Charter, and comparable policies are in place for Accor Services. Accor has been “ISO Certified” for environmental management and minimizing harmful environmental effects as a result of work activities.

With its focus on public transportation, the mission of Accor Services in the United States is thoroughly consistent with the environmental values and priorities that Accor has demonstrated.