The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance is developing practical tools to help hotels become more sustainable.
The alliance is a global network of hospitality companies looking to operate responsibly and brings together hotels making up around 30% of the industry worldwide. Hotel chain Accor recently joined and other members include Hilton, Hyatt, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International and Radisson Hotel Group.
It has announced a Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality, supported by the World Travel & Tourism Council. This aims will include four clear stages and practical tools to enable hotels to reduce their impact on the environment.
The initiative will build on the wealth of resources already available to support the sector on emissions, water usage and waste recycling in order to develop a holistic, action-based approach, regardless of whether hotels are small independents or part of large international brands.
The alliance, which is consulting on its Pathway initiative and will release more details in March 2022, also plans an affiliate membership for hotel developers, owners, investors and franchisees, to ensure a consistent approach to responsible hotel management and building.
Wolfgang M. Neumann, chair of the alliance, said: “The world is without a doubt at a crucial tipping point. But it’s not too late to avert an environmental catastrophe.
“We need to act fast and we must collaborate as we double up our efforts. The dialogue needs to go beyond having ‘zero’ impact and look towards what we can be putting back into the natural world to ensure we have a lasting positive impact on our planet and its people.”
The WTTC is supporting the new move by developing a framework for the hospitality industry to raise the global basic level of hotel sustainability. This will include a set of fundamental sustainability actions for hotels, with demonstrable positive impact, for businesses taking steps for the first time.
Julia Simpson, WTTC president and chief executive, said: “We recognise both the major challenges we are facing and the urgent need to restart our sector safely and responsibly.
“We fully endorse and support the Pathway, an initiative which complements WTTC’s own ambition to move the entire sector to net zero.
“WTTC is in a unique position to connect the entire industry and encourage the many small and medium sized enterprises and others within the industry to begin their journey with a solid sustainability framework.”
Members also endorsed plans for the initiative. Brune Poirson, chief sustainability officer, Accor, said: “Climate change calls for collaboration, not competition. We believe that working with our peers and partners from the hospitality sector is the most effective way to make substantial change happen. The pathway is an important step in that journey.”