A green castle
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac’s entire team contributes daily to the sustainable development. Far-reaching projects and simple actions are committed to protecting the environment and supporting local communities. Fairmont Le Château Frontenac was awarded the Five Green Key Rating from Green Key global. This certification is reserved for hotels that have shown national industry leadership and commitment to protecting the environment.
Since 2023, as part of its commitment to reducing its footprint on the environment, Fairmont le Château Frontenac has eliminated single-use plastic items.
Beehive on the ROOF
Bees are one of the most effective pollinators on the planet and we rely on them for 1/3 of the food we eat. That’s why we have installed honeybee apiaries on our roof to help this important pollinator. Here at the Château, our four beehives welcome 70 000 bees, producing up to 650 pounds of honey per year. The honey is harvested twice a year and is used in our kitchens, but also in our cocktails.
An Ecological Legacy
After major renovations and investments to increase the energy efficiency of its building, a partnership with Université Laval was made to allow the hotel to become carbon neutral. By working with the University, Le Château Frontenac wishes to take advantage of all occasions to reduce its ecological footprint. The Château Frontenac has chosen to join forces with Université Laval, an institution of higher education internationally recognized for its work in sustainable development and climate action, in a value-added partnership that will enable the Château Frontenac to achieve carbon neutrality, which means making a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge and science in the fight against climate change.
The Benefits of Carbon Neutrality at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
Carbon neutrality at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, in partnership with Université Laval, makes it possible to:
- contribute to carbon capture projects in one of the world’s largest teaching and research forests;
- participate in the advancement of scientific research to develop new, innovative solutions;
- support Quebec City’s research in the fields of forest and soil carbon;
- help maintain a forest located just 45 minutes away from the hotel.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac contributes to the efforts to combat climate change through a commitment to sustainable development that permeates every aspect of its services. The hotel is in tune with the values of its clientele and society.
Additional Information
Green Key Global is a sustainability certification program for the hotel and hospitality industry. Green Key Eco-Rating certification is awarded to hotels that have completed the Green Key Global assessment and audit process and are up to date in this area. The assessment focuses on the hotel’s efforts to respect and protect the environment and local communities. Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is proud to have achieved 5 Keys, the most advanced level of the program.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is proud to be Biosphere certified.
Biosphere is one of the most important international certifications for sustainable development. Its eco-responsible system is recognized worldwide, enabling companies and destinations to accelerate the shift towards sustainable tourism.
To find out more, click here.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is committed to purchasing local, organic, fair trade food products that are produced with respect for the environment whenever possible. In the summer season, over 80% of the ingredients are sourced locally. In addition, the Château offers:
- A chef’s garden located directly on the roof on the 4th floor
- A selection of organic or biodynamic wines
- Regional recipes using local or sustainable products
- Flexible options for vegetarians or other types of dietary restrictions
- Menus that do not use any endangered fish species
- A promise to reduce food waste with the Food Waste Control Program
The use of water, energy, various products and the management of waste are a daily reality, both for individuals and for companies. Fairmont Le Château Frontenac’s initiatives to reduce their impact include:
- Change of showers heads, taps and toilets to optimize water savings (50% annual water saving since);
- Use of ecological paint certified “Green Guard”;
- Recycling bins in place throughout the hotel;
- Sorting and recycling hazardous waste (light bulbs, batteries, printer cartridges, etc.);
- Recycling metals and chemical products;
- Recycling cooking fat;
- Replacement of paper journals by the PressReader application;
- Use of eco-responsible printing paper and toilet paper.
CRYO water filtration system available in hotel restaurants. Water is filtered directly at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac using the 0km short circuit principle (i.e., no transport). It is also offered in reusable bottles, which reduces the amount of plastic in the oceans.
Use of EcoLab cleaning products, which are biodegradable and environmentally responsible.
Raising our guests’ awareness of the need to reuse towels and sheets.
Clean energy supply (hydroelectric) thanks to Hydro-Québec’s electricity supply.
Use of LED bulbs exclusively in the hotel.
Insulation of heating, air conditioning and hot water devices as well as devices with high thermal loss and heat recovery in the receiving room.
25 charging stations for electric vehicles available at the hotel.
Promoting sustainable mobility for our employees and customers (walking, cycling and public transport).
Welcoming others, accepting and valuing their differences, acknowledging that we will be enriched by our contact with them—these are some of the founding principles of our management ethic. An intrinsic part of our DNA, it is key to our collective success. At Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, we focus on four key Pillars to help support diversity, equity, and inclusion:
- Gender equality and diversity (including the distribution of feminine hygiene products to all staff);
- Inclusion of people with disabilities;
- Richness of social, ethnic, racial and cultural diversity;
- LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Active in its community, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac supports more than 20 organizations and foundations each year that help
a wide variety of causes.
For example, every fall, the lobby of the Château Frontenac is transformed into an enchanted forest thanks to Trees of Hope, whose Christmas trees are sponsored by businesses, with all proceeds going to the CHU Foundation. This activity alone has raised close to $200,000 for sick children since the first year.
