INTERNATIONAL REPORT—The recently unveiled white paper “Decarbonizing Hotel Food Systems” provides a roadmap for the global hospitality industry to cut food-related emissions by 30 percent by 2030, potentially reducing up to 70 million tons of CO2 annually. The paper was produced by the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, the Sustainable Markets Initiative, and Systemiq. It underscores that hotels, representing 1 percent of all food production emissions and generating 3 percent of global food waste, can significantly influence the global food system by optimizing energy use and leveraging their procurement power.
The white paper presents innovative solutions, such as waste-tracking technologies, which can reduce waste by up to 50 percent. It aims to engage hospitality leaders in driving systemic transformations in how food is sourced, prepared, and consumed in hotels. The paper’s findings were shared at the Alliance’s Autumn Summit, attended by representatives from over 55,000 hotels, 300 brands, and over 50 expert partners.
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts is a leader that has implemented several practices recommended in the white paper, including AI waste management technology and transitioning kitchen machinery towards lower-emission alternatives. The company has ambitious goals to decarbonize and reach net zero by 2030.
The white paper received support from the Sustainable Markets Initiative, a private sector organization co-founded by His Majesty King Charles III in 2020. The Initiative’s Hospitality and Tourism Task Force, co-chaired by the Alliance’s Glenn Mandziuk, aims to support the reduction of emissions and find practical, scalable, and sustainable solutions to address climate change.
The white paper is deemed a game-changer for the entire global food system, providing a vital resource to guide hotels in their sustainable food initiatives. The industry is called to foster meaningful discussions and collaborations to tackle this challenge, paving the way for a more sustainable future in hospitality.
Go to the Decarbonizing Hotel Food Systems White Paper.
