### Environment An Advanced Case of Environmental Management in Sweden - The Challenge of an ISO 14001 Certified Hotel 1997

### Environment An Advanced Case of Environmental Management in Sweden - The Challenge of an ISO 14001 Certified Hotel 1997

In the late 1990s, as the concept of "sustainable management" spread worldwide, Sweden was one of the countries that presented an advanced example. The Sunga Sevi Hotel in the suburbs of Stockholm attracted attention in 1997 as the world's first hotel to acquire ISO 14001 certification. At the time, ISO 14001 was a new international environmental management standard that had just been enacted in 1996, paving the way for corporations and municipalities to incorporate environmentally conscious management into their systems. Acquisition of this certification in the hotel industry was groundbreaking and demonstrated the potential of environmental management in the service industry.

The hotel had been struggling to operate at a loss, but in the process of restructuring its operations, it chose to use the environment as a weapon in its strategy. Specifically, the hotel achieved energy savings and reduced its environmental impact by adopting a heating system that utilizes geothermal energy and building materials that actively incorporate natural materials. In addition, a system was established to balance the environment and the local economy through waste reduction, thorough recycling, and the use of locally produced foodstuffs. These efforts not only reduced costs, but also attracted environmentally conscious customers and enhanced the brand value.

In 1992, after the Rio Earth Summit, the idea of sustainable development permeated society as a whole in the Nordic countries, and incorporating environmental measures into management strategies was seen as a source of competitiveness. The success of the Sunga Sevi Hotel is a case in point. The successful case of the Songa Savi hotel is proof that environmental responsiveness, rather than simply reducing environmental impact, can lead to improved management and enhanced market competitiveness.

This experience also provided important insights for Japanese companies. At the time, ISO 14001 acquisition was being promoted mainly in the manufacturing industry in Japan, but its application in the service and tourism industries was limited. The Swedish hotel case study sent a strong message that "environmental management is not limited to specific industries, but can be practiced in a wide range of industries," and influenced the subsequent development of green management and eco-tourism.