As reported by Green Lodging News, Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., the planet’s largest publicly traded lodging real estate investment trust (REIT), just published its 2026 Corporate Responsibility (CR) Report, Investing for the Future. The report provides an overview of the company’s CR strategy and performance, highlighting continued progress across environmental stewardship, social impact and governance.
As of its 2026 CR Report, Host had 76 hotels. Eighty-nine percent of rooms were managed by leading hospitality brands. 2025 hotel revenue was $6 billion, 98 percent of which came from the United States.
I took a close look at the report and was impressed by the following 2025 highlights:
- Host surpassed 30 percent of electricity consumption from renewable sources, and initiated new on-site solar projects in California, Florida, Hawaii, and Washington D.C. Host has plans to nearly double the generation capacity of on-site solar PV systems within its consolidated portfolio by 2028—14 installed and eight in development. In 2025, it procured approximately 167,000 megawatt hours of portfolio-wide electricity consumption from renewable sources through market-based solutions such as green-e certified renewable energy credits and green power from utility providers.
- Expected utility savings annually of $30 million (Represents projects completed over a five-year period, from 2021 to 2025).
- Over 30 percent of hotels in Host’s portfolio achieved LEED certification and Host obtained its fifth LEED Gold certification.
- Host’s vision is to become a net positive company by 2050.
Examples of Host’s 2030 Targets/Actuals:
- Fifty-four percent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions/36 percent reduction (2019 baseline).
- Ninety percent or more of employees participate in charitable giving and/or volunteerism each year/96 percent.
- All direct suppliers trained annually on Host’s responsible sourcing and human rights policies/54 percent.
From the building envelope to guestrooms, restaurants, and meeting spaces, Host is increasingly deploying projects and initiatives that make the hotels it owns more sustainable. Some examples: native landscaping with smart sensor and weather-based irrigation systems; on-site solar photovoltaic systems; cool and resilient roofing systems; energy efficient and hurricane-rated windows and doors; guest engagement on conservation and respect for local cultures; on-site beekeeping; and green meetings offered for group planners.
More examples: LED lighting, guestroom energy management systems, continuous commissioning using AI; filtered water filling stations and reusable containers; low flow fixtures to conserve water; sustainably sourced wood and textiles; kitchen oil recycling; food composting and donations; and food sourced from local farms and sustainable fisheries.
In its role as an owner, Host supports the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) by increasing charging infrastructure at hotels within its consolidated portfolio. As of 2025, Host had installed approximately 180 EV charging ports across 34 of its properties. At three of these properties alone, over 32,700 kilograms of GHG emissions were avoided—equivalent to more than 83,000 miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle.
Host’s environmental management system, which covers 100 percent of its consolidated portfolio, has been third-party ISO 14001-certified for a decade. Through the ISO 14001 certification process, Host focuses on continuous improvement for its most significant environmental impacts.
Supporting Communities During Tough Times
At the 2025 Hyatt Americas Owners Conference, Host was awarded the inaugural Purpose & Care Award in recognition of its commitment to supporting communities in times of crisis, including recovery and rebuilding, following the Maui wildfires.
“At Host, responsible investment is how we protect and strengthen our portfolio—from deploying resilience capital in higher-risk markets and expanding renewable energy to advancing green building certifications and investing in our people and communities,” said Mike Lentz, Executive Vice president, Development, Design & Construction and executive sponsor of Host’s CR program. “This year’s report highlights how disciplined capital allocation and environmental stewardship are helping us build a more resilient, efficient portfolio, support stronger communities, and create enduring value for our stockholders and other stakeholders.”
Host supported 276 nonprofits in 2025, including more than 230 employee-selected community investments, guided by the new Community Impact Framework. It reached approximately 63 percent of employee participation in learning and development programs, including a new manager training program and expanded opportunities for employees at all levels.
Waste Management Successes
More than 48,000 tons of waste diverted—including construction debris, mattresses, carpets, wall coverings and other liquidated items—since 2008. Nearly 90 percent of construction waste was diverted during renovation at Grand Hyatt Washington. Approximately 80 percent of construction waste diverted during renovations at Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead and Hyatt Regency Reston.
Through Host’s green donations program, it can direct the liquidation of used furniture, fixtures and equipment from hotel renovation projects toward local nonprofits serving those in need. This program is a scalable initiative that has supported Host’s waste diversion target, while also assisting local communities.
All Host-owned hotels have eliminated or are in the process of eliminating single-use plastics for guestroom amenities. Most Host-owned hotels have installed filtered water stations in public spaces, and water stations are increasingly available on guestroom floors as part of its renovation program. Hotels increasingly provide guests with reusable glass, paper and aluminum water bottles; in-room glass carafes for water and bulk water options for green meetings and events. San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter and Riverwalk have partnered with CIRQU to upcycle over 45,000 plastic bottles to date.
The Role of Technology in Food Waste Reduction
Host works with its brand partners—including Marriott and Hyatt—as they pilot food waste platforms and other waste reduction technologies. Technology platforms help operators optimize procurement, menu design and kitchen operations. Host is piloting AI-assisted food waste scanners, which measure the types of waste being thrown out to help optimize food procurement and preparation. Recycling kitchen oil for conversion to fuel is a best practice at nearly 50 percent of Marriott managed hotels owned by Host. More than half of Host owned hotels have composting programs in place. Properties in Hawaii, Minnesota and Florida donate food and vegetable scraps to local pig farms. Usable leftover food from several hotels is donated to charities serving at-risk populations.
Host prioritizes laundry water recycling systems and smart irrigation systems that use cloud-based applications to automate schedules based on weather forecasts and landscape-specific parameters. Low-flow fixtures are in place at all Host properties. Host’s towel tracking pilot, now utilized by eight properties within its portfolio, uses RFID technology to provide real-time data analytics for towel use and return. Since 2021, the towel tracking system has resulted in a 50 percent reduction in costs from misplaced or lost towels, an estimated 15 percent reduction in laundry costs, and a reduction of water usage by 2.1 million gallons annually.
Host’s Green Team
Made up of employee volunteers, Host’s dedicated, cross-functional Green Team works to promote environmentally responsible practices and implement sustainability programs at corporate headquarters. Key focus areas include reducing paper, plastics and e-waste. The team has driven a 50 percent reduction in paper waste, resulting in avoided costs of approximately $20,000 annually. To date, Host’s Green Team has supported the recycling of more than 10,000 pounds of e-waste from its corporate operations and through employee e-cycling initiatives.
Host was the first REIT to join the Dignity of Work Pledge, led by AHLA and Procure Impact—which is a business-to-business marketplace that connects corporations with social enterprises that make products that help create social impact. The goal of the pledge is to galvanize the hospitality industry to create 100,000 hours of work for vulnerable populations through responsible sourcing—creating millions of dollars in untapped economic opportunity. Host supports this pledge through corporate direct spend and by connecting its properties with Procure Impact’s social enterprises. Since 2024, Host has contributed over 300 hours toward the pledge while Host properties have contributed over 500 hours. These contributions have benefited adults with disabilities, formerly incarcerated individuals, survivors of human trafficking, refugees and people experiencing homelessness.
Host actively selects and partners with suppliers that are committed to advancing a low carbon, circular economy. In addition, Host works with EPA SmartWay logistics providers to optimize sourcing and distribution of products—including furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E)—for its U.S. construction and renovation projects. Host’s 2030 goal is to have 100 percent direct suppliers trained annually in Host’s responsible sourcing and human rights policies. As of the publishing of the 2025 Corporate Responsibility Report: 54 percent had been trained.
For more information, read the 2026 Corporate Responsibility Report and visit the Corporate Responsibility section on Host’s website.
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