Hilton is to introduce carbon-free electricity to 69 of its properties in the UK and Ireland.

Last year, the hotel chain invested £4m (5.9m euro, US$7.9m) in its green policy, which saw a reduction of energy consumption of up to 27 per cent in certain UK hotels. A further investment of £4m is planned this year.

Hilton’s environmental strategy includes training more than 15,000 employees in cultural energy reductions.

This has resulted in individual hotel action plans being developed, and focusing on key issues such as energy efficiency, waste reduction and water efficiency.

Simon Vincent, area president for Hilton Hotels, said: “We realise we have a great responsibility to introduce measures that will help protect the environment, which is an enormous challenge.”