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.
A beehive on the roof
Bees are among the most effective pollinators in the world, and we depend on them for one-third of the food we consume. That’s why we’ve installed honeybee hives on our roof to help this important pollinator. Here at the Château, our four hives are home to 70,000 bees, producing up to 650 pounds of honey per year. Harvested twice a year, the honey is used in our kitchens and in our cocktails.
An ecological legacy
After major renovations and significant investments to increase the energy efficiency of its building, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac has established a partnership with Laval University to enable the hotel to achieve carbon neutrality. By collaborating with the University, Le Château Frontenac wishes to take advantage of every opportunity to reduce its ecological footprint. Le Château Frontenac has chosen to join forces with Laval University, an internationally recognized institution of higher learning for its work in sustainable development and climate action, in a value-added partnership that will enable it to achieve carbon neutrality, i.e., to contribute significantly to the advancement of knowledge and science in the fight against climate change.
BE WTR at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
A plastic-free initiative aimed at reducing our recyclable waste and providing our guests with quality water.
Every week, BE WTR delivers sealed glass bottles containing water, filtered using Swiss technology. The empty bottles will then be collected for sterilization, refilling, and sealing.
Our guests also have the option of refilling their bottles directly on each hotel floor, thanks to the water fountains installed on each floor.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
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.
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 accommodation industry. The Green Key Eco-Rating certification is awarded to hotels that have undergone the Green Key Global assessment and audit process and are up to date in this area. The assessment focuses on the establishment’s efforts to respect and protect the environment and local communities. Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is proud to have achieved 5 keys, the highest level in the program.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is proud to be Biosphere certified.
Biosphere is one of the most important international certifications in sustainable development. Its eco-responsible system is recognized worldwide and enables businesses and destinations to accelerate the shift toward sustainable tourism.
To learn more, click here.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is committed to purchasing local, organic, and fair trade food products that are produced in an environmentally friendly manner whenever possible. In the summer, more than 80% of the ingredients come from the region. In addition, the Château offers:
- a chef’s garden on the 4th floor rooftop;
- a selection of organic or biodynamic wines;
- regional recipes based on local or sustainable products;
- flexible options for vegetarians or those with other dietary restrictions;
- menus without endangered fish species;
- reduction of food waste through a food waste control program.
The consumption of water, energy, and various products, as well as waste management, are a daily reality for both individuals and businesses. Here are some of the initiatives Fairmont Le Château Frontenac has implemented to reduce its impact:
- replacement of showers, faucets, and toilets to optimize water savings (50% water saved each year since);
- exclusive use of LED and compact fluorescent light bulbs in the hotel;
- insulation of heating, air conditioning, and hot water equipment, as well as appliances with high heat loss and heat recovery in the reception room;
- offering eco-friendly hygiene products (Le Labo);
- using “Green Gard” certified eco-friendly paint;
- installing recycling bins throughout the hotel;
- sorting and recycling hazardous waste (light bulbs, batteries, printer cartridges, etc.);
- Recycling of metals and chemicals.
- Recycling of cooking fats.
- Replacement of paper newspapers with the PressReader app.
- Use of eco-friendly printing paper and toilet paper.
- Reduction of paper consumption through employee awareness.
CRYO water filtration system in the hotel’s restaurants. Water is filtered directly at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac according to the 0 km short circuit principle (i.e., no transportation). 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 awareness among our guests about reusing towels and sheets.
Clean energy supply (hydroelectric) thanks to electricity supplied by Hydro-Québec.
Exclusive use of LED light bulbs.
Insulation of heating, air conditioning, and hot water equipment, as well as appliances with high heat loss, and heat recovery in the reception room.
25 charging stations for electric vehicles are available at the hotel.
Promoting sustainable mobility for our employees and customers (walking, cycling, and public transportation).
Welcoming others, recognizing them, enriching ourselves with their differences, and valuing them: these are the founding principles of our ethics, embedded in our DNA and key to our collective success. Our diversity ambitions are structured around four priorities: Gender diversity and equality (in particular through the distribution of feminine hygiene products to all staff);
The integration of people with disabilities;
The richness of ethnic, social, and cultural backgrounds;
The inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community.
Committed to 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 grand lobby of the Château Frontenac is transformed into an enchanted forest thanks to the Arbres de l’espoir (Trees of Hope), Christmas trees sponsored by companies, with all proceeds going to the Fondation du CHU de Québec. This activity alone has raised nearly $200,000 for sick children since its inception.
