There are plenty of hotels scattered around the world that are anxious to shout their green credentials. Alas, for the business traveller there are painfully few to choose from. When faced with business in Rotterdam or Beijing, green choices are extremely limited. The travel press bombards us with information on eco-friendly hotels and spas, but the chances of finding one in a business centre, rather than on the edge of a rain forest or in some exotic, palm-fringed resort, are almost nil. As Alex Conti, director of Eco Hotels of the World, says: "Choosing an eco-friendly hotel is absolutely fine if you want to see turtles hatching, but if you're trying to find one in a business location it is another matter." Part of the problem is that city centre hotels are often planned and built by developers. Hotel operators come into the process much later * usually after planning approval * and by then it is too late to have real input on green specifications and technology. Short-termism is another factor - today's cheapest option is probably not the long-term green one, and by tomorrow, financial directors and managers have moved on. Mr Conti reckons business travellers who want an environmentally sound hotel face two problems: first their choice of hotel may be imposed by their company; second, even if they are allowed to choose, finding one near an airport or city centre is no easy matter. Mr Conti admits that his organisation has few business options but is working hard to put that right. So just how does one choose * and what is * an environmentally friendly hotel? Eco Hotels of the World has a rating system that highlights eco-friendly policies. These include: as much recycling as possible * everything from batteries to food waste * perhaps even using a sewerage system to irrigate a garden; using low-energy lights; taking part in local conservation programmes; using organic and Fair Trade ingredients; using food from local producers and planting only local plants; minimising water usage and systematic replacement of appliances and fixtures for more environmentally friendly items (www.ecohotelsofthe world.com). Business travellers can also help the environment by taking their green routines on the road. In a survey commissioned by Element Hotels, an extended-stay brand from Starwood, one of the world's largest hotel and leisure companies, nearly 60 per cent of frequent travellers admit dropping their green routines while travelling. While 70 per cent agree that they try to conserve water "as much as possible" at home, only 18 per cent do the same in a hotel. And 63 per cent admit to being more likely to leave a light on when they leave a hotel room than at home. Starwood has been working with the Carbon Trust to determine ways to reduce energy use and carbon emissions. Like most businesses it has come to the conclusion that saving energy also means saving money. Fairmont Hotels and Resorts has used energy-saving measures for a long time. All front desk computers at its North American properties run on wind power bought from a sustainable energy co-operative. But even though energy and the environment are hot topics only seven hotels are registered under the US Green Building Council's rating system for commercial buildings. So while the trend towards greener hotels and environmental initiatives is certainly gaining ground in the accommodation industry there is a long way to go in terms of building a new generation of green hotels. Sleep easy The Orchid, Mumbai A rarity in Asia, this eco-friendly five-star hotel is surrounded by lush gardens next to the domestic airport. It has great views over the city from the rooftop pool and restaurant. Although it looks like just another airport hotel, the Orchid was built using sustainable materials and designed to require minimal heating, lighting and electricity. But you still get every conceivable five-star luxury for your money. There's a 24-hour coffee shop, a bar and nightclub and an wide selection of restaurants. Nice eco touch: Reed slippers and cotton robes. Contact: 70-C, Nehru Road, Vile Parle (E), Mumbai 400099. Tel: 022-26164040. www.orchidhotel.com Fairmont Hotel, Vancouver With the 2010 Winter Olympics on the horizon this will be a very popular choice for leisure and business users who want to be seen to be green. The hotel's Green Partnership Program has improved waste reduction, recycling, hazardous waste management, energy efficiency, water conservation, and green purchasing. Nice eco touch: Its recycled organic waste is turned into potting soil to nourish the hotel's flowerbeds. Contact: 900 West Georgia St, Vancouver - +1 604 684 3131. www.fairmont.com The Howard, Edinburgh A gold-graded member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme, this five-star hotel shows that penny pinching is not the only way to be green. The hotel recycles as much as it can. It works at reducing energy consumption and believes hotelkeepers should take the initiative and learn to specify their eco needs rather than rely on suppliers. Nice eco touch: It encourages biodiversity in its garden, through bird boxes, feeders and insect logs. Contact: 34 Great King Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6QH. Tel: +44 (0) 131 557 3500. www.thehoward.com