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Disneyland Resort was recognized today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with the 2014 Food Recovery Challenge award for its zero waste efforts, and the highest percent increase in food recovery of any theme park in the nation. "Disneyland is a model for food recovery efforts," said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA's Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. "Disney has the potential to educate millions of people who visit the resort on zero waste, while doing its part to fight climate change and create a better environment for Southern California residents."

Starwood Hotels & Resorts plans to save more than $1 billion over the next 10 years through energy-efficiency initiatives and other environmental programs. The effort will include employees at all levels of the company, says sustainability chief Andrea Pinabell. "Small actions taken by our more than 180,000 associates worldwide have the ability to make a profound impact on our hotels, communities and business," she said. 

MGM Resorts has saved 2 billion gallons of water since embarking on current conservation efforts in 2008, sustainability chief Chris Brophy told the Nevada Drought Forum last week. Among the company's projects: water recycling technology to reduce waste at the Bellagio fountain show and at Cirque du Soleil's indoor water show. 

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts became the first hotel brand to meet World Wildlife Fund's Climate Savers targets by reducing its operational CO2 emissions by 20%, compared to 2006 levels.

In 2016, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts had environmental achievements that included saving 12.2 million gallons of water, recycling more than 17,000 pounds of paper for charity, and recycling over 23,000 gallons of cooking oil, according to the company's latest CSR report.

Starbucks new store in Downtown Disney West Side at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida.

Starbucks opened a new store yesterday at Disneyland Resort in California as an effort to introduce a series of environmentally-friendly coffee shops worldwide. Located at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, the new LEED-certified shop was built totally from reclaimed wood with a large yard surrounded by a green wall with more than 1,000 plants. Customers will experience an interactive environment created by a 10-foot video installation with high technology and nice design.

Recent studies have shown that climate change could affect the tourism sector. A lack of snowfall in California led to a decrease in business for local ski resorts and restaurants.

But climate change is making it harder for resort owners and tour operators to make good on this promise. Climate change is having more of an impact on tourist destinations by eroding beaches and bleaching coral reefs. Mountain destinations are not immune either, as a warming climate melts glaciers and snow pack. The latest bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef has again brought to the forefront the growing impact of climate change on tourist destinations. According to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, warmer than usual waters have caused bleaching (PDF) along much of the reef, and have killed nearly a quarter of its coral.

On Tuesday, the EPA awarded the Disneyland Resort the 2014 Food Recovery Challenge award for its zero-waste efforts and food recovery. Disneyland is the first theme park to receive the award.

Working with WWF will help Hilton Hotels and Resorts to improve seafood choices, food waste, and other issues at thousands of sites worldwide.

One of the world's largest hotel and resort chains is partnering with the massive NGO to dig into water conservation, supply chain and other issues.

MGM Resorts is making water conservation a top priority in developing its Park promenade in Las Vegas -- even though there's a relative paucity of water-conservation technologies compared with the number of energy-efficiency technologies now available, says Chief Sustainability Officer Cindy Ortega. MGM also launched a social app to raise employee awareness about water conservation.

Guests at Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas' properties can further their education in sustainability and local ecosystems through a new program called Earth Lab. Workshops and videos will further the company's noted commitment to wellness and environmental care.

Over 20 tons a year of the produce that is served at the Walt Disney World resorts comes from the sustainable farms at Epcot Center. The Epcot greenhouses grow 150 different types of produce from all over the world in a sustainable, hydroponic system.