There’s just one Earth, and it is currently in a triple emergency according to the United Nations. Here’s the part your hotel can play in bringing a change.
Can your hotel help save the planet? Yes, it can!
Climate change, pollution and loss of biodiversity are set to destroy the earth according to the United Nations. Humans may have caused this emergency, but still have the power to reverse it. From individuals to local and national governments, to businesses and corporations; we all need to be embedding environmental sustainability into our decision-making and our actions. Hospitality is no exception. Here are some facts by the United Nations on sustainability.
- Hospitality contributes to 1% of the global carbon emissions. The industry needs to cut its carbon emissions by 66% by 2030 so its growth forecast doesn’t lead to a corresponding increase in carbon emissions.
- By 2050 it is expected that there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. Single-use plastic is a big contributor to this (almost half of the annual plastic production). It must be eliminated.
- Water is fundamental to hotel operations. In some places, guests use more than eight times more water than the local community.
- Nearly one-third of the world’s species are currently threatened with extinction. This is a big problem for hospitality, which relies on the natural world to attract guests. The industry impacts biodiversity both directly (e.g. through land and resource use and pollution) and indirectly (e.g. through generating greenhouse gases, and actions in the supply chain).
Most hoteliers understand the importance of being sustainable. In fact, sustainable or green travel is on trend, and hoteliers who have not responded to the change are already getting left behind. The change is being led by Gen Z and millennial travellers who place great importance on preserving the environment.