Home Energy Management Could the Hospitality Industry Do More to Combat Carbon Emissions?

Could the Hospitality Industry Do More to Combat Carbon Emissions?

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NATIONAL REPORT—A study by The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance revealed that the hotel industry needs to reduce its carbon emissions by 66 percent per room by 2030. As the pressure grows on businesses to reduce their carbon emissions, there have been talks of how the accommodation industry can do its part. Worldwide organizations like The United Nations and International Tourism Partnership have committed to working with hoteliers and accommodation owners to reduce emissions. Whether it is reducing the use of single-use plastics in your hotel or investing in renewable energy sources, making sustainability a goal for your hotel can help the accommodation industry play its role in reducing carbon emissions.

The Role of Hospitality in The Fight Against Carbon Emissions

Research has shown that the hotel industry accounts for 1 percent of emissions. As restrictions lift and the travel industry booms, the accommodation industry will continue to expand—as will its contribution to carbon emissions. Therefore, it is more important than ever that businesses in the accommodation industry shift their focus on adding value to the carbon emissions fight, starting with simple moves to reduce carbon emissions in their own hotels and lodges.

Move to Renewable Energy

One of the best ways to decarbonize your hotel or lodge is to invest in renewable energy. Switching to renewable energy sources reduces your reliance on fossil fuels. According to the Urban Land Institute, hotels, and accommodation venues use more energy than offices, retail complexes, and multifamily housing complexes. One option is to purchase energy from a clean energy provider in your area.

With the help of a list of green power communities, hotel owners can get information on green power usage and capacity in their areas of operation. The list also includes links to community rates and renewable energy options. Another option for switching to renewable energy is to invest in your own solar energy technologies including solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and solar thermal systems. Alternatively, hotel owners can explore carbon offsetting, a trending initiative in the hospitality and travel industry lately. Similar to the initiatives proposed to reduce the carbon footprint of flying, carbon offsetting, and electric options are two of the go-to ways to combat carbon emissions from both industries.

Skip the Single Use Toiletries

The use of single-use toiletries in hotels or other accommodations further exacerbates the building plastic problem. Single-use toiletries have become synonymous with accommodation, and it is one that many guests have come to expect upon checking in. However, millennials and more environmentally conscious consumers are beginning to shift their expectations to more sustainable options. Therefore, swapping out single-use toiletries in your hotel for bath amenity dispensers can be a good differentiator for your business.

Tackle Food Waste Coming from Your Kitchen

Did you know that hotels typically budget for 3 to 5 percent of their purchasing costs to be written off due to food waste? In fact, a study in the United Kingdom found that hotels in the U.K. produce a stunning 79,000 metric tons of food waste annually. Food waste can create methane, which has 25 times more global warming and emissions potential. Marc Zornes of Winnow, an artificial intelligence food-management tech firm, also claims, “Food waste is tied to about 8 percent to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.”

Statistics like these illustrate just how important it is for accommodation owners to begin being more proactive about their food waste. Besides investing in food management tech to aid with composting, accommodation owners can also look at ways of working with local organizations to distribute their unused food within the community.

Whether it is small, incremental changes or a complete overhaul, reducing your hotel’s carbon emissions is not just environmentally savvy, it can be a great tactic in setting your accommodation apart.

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