Recently the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its annual 100% Green Power Purchaser list which represents organizations that buy enough alternative power to meet 100% of their entire electricity use.

Many hotels made that list and the one that stands out the most is the Talbott Hotel which happens to not only be one of the best luxury hotels in Chicago but the first Green Seal-certified hotels in the United States.

Green Seal is a Washington DC based non-profit that provides environmental certification science based standards. What’s different about the Green seal’s standard-setting process is that it works as a collaborative process making its rules fairer and allows for complete transparency gathering its input from industry, government, academia and the public.

The Talbott Hotel met the Green Seal approval not only by offsetting 100% of its electricity with the use of wind power but also has and extensive recycling program, all of it equipment from lighting to heating is energy efficient and rewards its guests for responsible practices by purchasing one month carbon offsets.

Australia’s environment is one the most diverse one earth and its landscape the oldest. Two hundred years of European settlement has had a profound impact on the environment from land clearance to the introduction of invasive weeds and feral animals, impacting the country’s biodiversity. Because of this over the last 200 years Australia has the highest rate of mammal species extinction of any other country.

One luxury hotel in Australia is doing its part to make a difference and bring education to tourists who visit the country. The Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, a luxury bush camp located on the North West Cape, has made it it’s prime motivation to open minds of the guest who stay with time though guided tours of the environment, along with active debate of topical issues and day to day operations of their camps.

Along with minimal impact in construction of the camp, using 100% sustainable solar energy, composting toilets, use of local amenities incorporating native herbs, and only using locally grown produce they have become the largest contribute rot Australia’s leading non-government conservation organization, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

The Gayana Eco Resort in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia is one of the few resorts that go above and beyond the standard sustainability practices that most eco-friendly hotspots do. Overlooking the China Sea and surrounded by an abundance of coral reef, Gayana is home to 7 of the 8 Giant Clams in the world.

Devoted to marine ecology this resort has created an authentic simulated habitat of eccentric fish species, their very own laboratory, coral and clam holding tanks and an edifying auditorium. And under their Giant Clam Restocking Porgramme, the endangered Giant Clams are well on their way to further reproduction.

Known as one of the best resorts in Malaysia, the Gayana Eco Resort also plays host amazing kid programs where they can get up close and personal with marine life hoping to create a future generation of marine lovers.

As a special treat to all guests, Gayana also has a Reef Regeneration Program, a nautical highlight where guests are given the honor or replanting replenished corals back to the reef of the China Sea.