AccorHotels promotes green energy transportation on electric rickshaw from Bangkok to Toulouse

AccorHotels – Jul 08, 2015 08:43 SGT

AccorHotels, the largest operator of international hotels in Asia Pacific, is pleased to announce its sponsorship of The Pilgreens, three graduate students from the University of Toulouse, who will drive an electric tuk-tuk, a traditional Thai rickshaw, from Bangkok to Toulouse to raise awareness of green energy transportation in developing countries. The journey will span 119 days across 16 countries and over 20,000 kilometres on a tuk-tuk equipped with two electric batteries and a solar panel.

Patrick Basset, Chief Operating Officer for AccorHotels Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines says, “AccorHotels has a long standing commitment to protecting the environment and is thrilled to partner with The Pilgreens to highlight the benefits of green energy. Their passion is inspiring and representative of our own mission to mitigate environmental impact through the PLANET 21 sustainable development programme.”

Karen Koulakian, a member of The Pilgreens, says, “We admire AccorHotels’ pledge to protecting our planet and look forward to spreading our message during our journey, particularly in the many cities where AccorHotels has a presence. Electrical mobility is accessible to various community areas regardless of where people live and will improve people’s lives.”

The Pilgreens will stay and park their bright green tuk-tuk at AccorHotels during their journey. They will also meet with other fellow students, business and government leaders as well as non-governmental organizations to promote green energy and produce a video documentary to raise awareness of this campaign. With the support of their university, they will be conducting research on the insights of electric mobility in emerging markets.

PLANET 21, a global programme of AccorHotels, defines 21 specific commitments and quantifiable goals at the corporate and hotel level within seven pillars of social, environmental and community investment actions: Health, Nature, Carbon, Innovation, Local, Employment and Dialogue. Through PLANET 21, 86% of AccorHotels practice waste recycling and 97% use eco-labelled products to reduce health and environmental impact in Asia Pacific. In Thailand, more than 9,178 trees have been planted over the past three years in the Chiang Mai, Suring and Chaiyaphum provinces to combat climate change.

The Pilgreens, who are studying at the University of Toulouse Graduate School of Management (IAE Toulouse), are pursuing a double-degree with the College of Management of Mahidol University in Bangkok.

For more information on The Pilgreens, visit www.the-pilgreens.com.