Caesars Entertainment Recognized for Sustainability
As the world's largest casino entertainment company, Caesars Entertainment Corp., formerly known as Harrah's Entertainment Inc., is leading the way in environmental stewardship and energy efficiency – receiving 13 environmental awards, 13 sustainable tourism certifications, and many unsolicited recognitions from top environmental groups worldwide in 2010.
CodeGreen, the environmental sustainability initiative at the company, is the key driver to Caesars forward progression in meeting its sustainability goals. It focuses on critical issues of energy, waste, water, and carbon emissions at all of its properties and seeks to engage its employees to reduce natural resource use, conserve energy, and promote reuse and recycling.
Caesars has worked closely with the Environment Protection Agency and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to develop "industry first" environmental goals like its EPA-approved commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent by 2013. Caesars' efforts have been honored with the "EPA WasteWise Gold Achievement New Partner Award," "EPA Regional Environmental Quality Award" and the USGBC Nevada Chapter's "Organizational Excellence Award," among others. Most recently, Caesars Entertainment's Octavius Convention Center expansion project was awarded LEED® Silver certification by the USGBC and Green Building Certification Institute for its green design.
"Caesars Entertainment has been the environmental leader in the gaming industry for years," said Jan Jones, senior vice president of communications and government relations for Caesars Entertainment. "We take pride in our sustainability efforts and the significant effort that has gone into becoming environmentally conscience at every level of our business."
Prominent travel organizations Travelocity, Travelife, and Virgin Holidays have taken note of Caesars' practices and its CodeGreen programs, awarding the company their premier environment certifications and awards. On Travelocity, Caesars seven green resorts are marked on its Travel Directory with an "eco-friendly hotel" leaf allowing travelers to see the resorts that provide an eco-friendly advantage. The company was also awarded seven "Travelife Gold Awards for Sustainability in Tourism," making them the only gaming entertainment company to do so. To recognize Caesars extraordinary efforts to minimize the impact of its operations on the environment and for its community support, Virgin Holidays selected Caesars as one of three companies worldwide to be recognized with its "Partner in Sustainability Award."
"We are very honored to be recognized by so many prestigious environmental and tourism organizations for our work under the CodeGreen initiative," said Gwen Migita, corporate director of sustainability and corporate social responsibility for Caesars Entertainment. "Caesars and its employees are looking forward to continued progress in 2011 as we bring many of our programs to the 'front of house,' inviting our millions of guests to take part in conservation at our properties and in their homes."
During the year, local organizations and environmental groups honored Caesars and its resorts for their CodeGreen programs and proactive approach to operational sustainability. These honors include but are not limited to Caesars in Atlantic City named "New Jersey Business of the Year;" Harrah's Ak Chin Casino Resort in Maricopa County, Arizona named "Most Admired Company" and "Green Business of the Year;" and Harrah's Laughlin named as "Green Business of the Year." Caesars Entertainment was also named as "Corporate Environmental Steward" by the Toiyabe Chapter of the Sierra Club in Nevada and Eastern California.