https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2022/06/29/carbon-neutral-hotels-green/

The emerging trend of carbon-conscious hotels, aiming for carbon neutrality or positivity, is gaining traction globally. The Six Senses Svart in Norway plans to become the world's first carbon-neutral and emission-free resort by 2024. Other hotels, like the Stay Hotels in Turkey, Populus in Denver, and Hotel Marcel in New Haven, are also making strides in achieving carbon-neutral or positive statuses. While hotels contribute around 1 percent to global carbon emissions, efforts are being made to offset these emissions through various means, such as carbon offsets, renewable energy projects, and energy-efficient operations. Critics, however, raise concerns about the legitimacy and full scope of these claims, urging consumers to scrutinize sustainability assertions when choosing accommodations. The discussion extends beyond carbon emissions to encompass broader considerations such as fair treatment of workers, environmental impact, and community contributions. Despite skepticism, the hotel industry's move toward sustainability is seen as a positive step, emphasizing the need for genuine, comprehensive efforts to address climate change.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/how-net-zero-hotels-could-make-travel-more-climate-friendly

Developers are revolutionizing hotel design to create "net-zero" establishments that generate more energy than they consume, contributing to a more climate-friendly travel industry. The Marcel in New Haven is on track to become the first net-zero hotel in the U.S., boasting rooftop solar panels, solar parking canopies, and lithium-ion batteries for energy storage. The 165-room property, with its Passive Building certification and LEED Platinum rating, aims to offset its entire annual energy consumption. Net-zero hotels, unlike off-the-grid resorts, can be more accessible in terms of pricing and location, connecting to the grid and potentially benefiting local communities with renewable power. This shift responds to the urgent need for the hospitality industry to reduce its one-percent contribution to global emissions and align with the growing emphasis on combating climate change. While construction costs are higher, the energy savings are expected to offset these expenses within a few years. Travelers are increasingly seeking sustainable accommodations, and hotel brands like Hilton, Marriott, and Accor have set company-wide net-zero goals, indicating a broader industry trend toward climate-conscious practices.

https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/solar-panels-farm-agrivoltaics-renewable-energy-b2494785.html

Researchers from the University of Lisboa and the Military Academy in Portugal propose a novel renewable energy concept called agrivoltaics, which involves integrating solar farms with "shadow-friendly" crops to accelerate the shift towards renewable energy sources. This approach not only enhances land productivity but also reduces the payback period for solar panels to less than five years, making it more economically viable than standalone solar or agriculture projects. Published in Energy for Sustainable Development, their study outlines the versatility of agrivoltaics across various agricultural practices, highlighting its potential to revolutionize energy and food production. Several countries, including China, Germany, Japan, and the US, are already investing in agrivoltaic systems, with South Korea's trials yielding successful broccoli crops without compromising quality. The concept extends beyond broccoli to encompass a range of crops like carrots, radishes, lettuce, tomatoes, and berries, offering a sustainable solution to meet both energy and food demands.