Caesars Entertainment first in gaming industry with EPA approved green house gas reduction goal
25 Mar 2011
"Caesars Entertainment is proud to lead the way in the gaming entertainment industry with our EPA-approved pledge to reduce our environmental impact in the many communities we serve," said Gary Loveman, Chairman, CEO and President of Caesars Entertainment. "During the past seven years, our environmental stewardship has evolved into a momentous sustainability effort including more than 110 energy reduction and conservation programs implemented daily by our dedicated employees in our 39 domestic casino resorts."
Since becoming the first company in the gaming entertainment industry to join the EPA Climate Leaders in 2008, Caesars has been working with the EPA to develop a comprehensive climate change strategy for its casino resorts in the United States.
While only recently announced, Caesars has made significant strides toward achieving its goal. Since 2003, the company has invested more than $60 million in energy retrofits, training and green building initiatives that have resulted in decreased carbon emissions by 106,000 metric tons, the equivalent of 122,000 round trip flights from Los Angeles to New York not taken. Caesars has also reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by 243 million pounds a year, the equivalent 247,000 barrels of oil. These accomplishments are obtained through the company's sustainability initiative, CodeGreen, which is comprised of programs and projects at its casino resorts nationwide that promote environmental sustainability and responsible use.
Loveman added, "From installing steam generators in Atlantic City to redesigning Las Vegas resorts' laundry facilities to preserve precious water resources, we are aligning all we do with the goal of fulfilling our commitment to the communities, our environment and ourselves."
As a part of Caesars accountability, the company reports its improvement each year directly to the EPA, the Carbon Disclosure Project, a not-for-profit climate research collection organization, and includes its milestones in its Environmental Sustainability and Community Engagement annual report.
Caesars is benchmarking its progress against its carbon inventory comprised of six greenhouse gases and emissions generated on-site (Scope One emissions) as well as emissions from purchased energy such as electricity (Scope Two emissions) from 2007 to 2009.
The company used Climate Leaders GHG Inventory Guidance, based on the existing GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard developed by the World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, to quantify the emissions from its operations. The inventory currently does not cover emissions from the 2010 acquisition of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino for which data is not yet available.
About Caesars Entertainment Corporation Sustainability
From coast-to-coast, Caesars Entertainment Corporation resorts are committed to environmental sustainability. Caesars is the first company in the casino entertainment industry to join the EPA Climate Leaders Program and to make an EPA-approved commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent in absolute numbers by 2013. The company has been awarded the "EPA WasteWise Gold Achievement New Partner Award," "EPA Regional Environmental Quality Award," Virgin Holidays "Partner in Sustainability Award," and is the only company to win seven "Travelife Gold Awards for Sustainability in Tourism" from the Federation of Tour Operators.
In the past seven years, more than 110 conservation projects at Caesars U.S. casino resorts and $60 million of conservation investments have dramatically reduced the company's energy usage. The implemented programs annually reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 243 million pounds, the equivalent 247,000 barrels of oil. A few highlights include:
A redesigned laundry facility in Las Vegas saves 72 million gallons of water annually while increasing capacity 40 percent.
Throughout all properties, millions of light bulbs have been replaced with energy efficient lighting, saving more than 50 million kilowatt hours (kWh) each year.
Restaurants throughout Caesars Entertainment's Las Vegas resorts have installed on site water filtration and bottling systems to reduce purchase and transportation of plastic water bottles.
A steam turbine in Atlantic City Showboat generates electricity as a by-product of the normal steam production at the resort. Use of the steam turbine produced an annual savings of 2,283,041 kWh and avoided emissions of more than 1,077,685 pounds of carbon dioxide and other gases.
Several properties, including the Rio All Suites Hotel & Casino, Harrah's Lake Tahoe and Showboat Atlantic City; have co-generation facilities that generate electricity, reducing demand on the nation's power grid.
Across 39 domestic resorts, Caesars Entertainment recycles more than 640,000 gallons of waste vegetable oil annually.