Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has emerged as an
intensely relevant issue in the corporate world in the past decade,
and the hospitality industry has been actively involving in the issue
in various ways. Hotels have implemented numerous green
practices along with participating in green certificate programs,
such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
certification. Starwood even developed a new eco-friendly chain,
ELEMENT Hotels, in which properties must obtain LEED certification
(Las Vegas Now, 2008). Restaurants also have implemented
environmentally sensitive business practices.