Michael Chang, director of energy and sustainability at Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: HST), joined REIT.com for a video interview at NAREIT’s 2017 Leader in the Light Working Forum at the Hilton Austin in Austin, Texas.
With its large, geographically diverse portfolio of hotel assets, Host’s sustainability initiatives start on an asset-by-asset basis, Chang explained. However, the most impact occurs when those initiatives can be rolled out across the portfolio, he said.
Now that Host has exhausted many portfolio-wide initiatives, including LED lighting and in-room thermostats, the company is going back to the asset level to pilot more advanced solutions, Chang explained.
Chang also commented on the development of a universal sustainability reporting standard, saying it would provide guidance to investors and companies looking to expand sustainability programs.
Meanwhile, Chang highlighted a new Host sustainability initiative that uses allows the company to ensure its assets are being operated efficiently by third party operators. He described the program as an “Internet of Things” solution.