The hotel industry creates about 3% of global carbon emissions. While this might seem small, it’s still important because climate change is a serious problem. Hotels can help by making their businesses more environmentally friendly.

By implementing these strategies, hotels can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.

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12 Decarbonisation Strategies Every Hotel Business Should Consider

Assess the Current Situation

Analyse energy consumption and identify key sources of emissions using data from energy meters. This helps set a baseline and highlight areas for improvement.

What Causes Hotel Emissions?

Hotel emissions come from three main sources.

Direct emissions: Gas used for heating and cooking.

Indirect emissions: Electricity used for lighting, cooling, and appliances.
Other emissions: Energy used in the supply chain, like food production and laundry services.

Setting Carbon Reduction Goals

Hotels can set achievable goals by considering factors like their growth plans, future renovations, and energy usage data. This data can help identify areas where they can make the biggest impact.

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Responsible Sourcing

Hotels can reduce emissions by sourcing local food and supplies. Using locally sourced food reduces emissions caused by transportation. It also supports local farmers and vendors. You can sell local crafts, toiletries, or souvenirs in your hotel.

Remember to choose suppliers with strong environmental credentials. And don’t forget to encourage your guests to shop locally. This helps foster local economic growth while reducing emissions from long-distance travel.

This strategy also creates a sense of community engagement, which appeals to socially conscious guests.

Renewable Energy Adoption

Hotels should prioritise renewable energy sources. Solar panel installations, wind energy contracts, and on-site renewable generation can significantly reduce carbon footprints. Many hotels are now investing in:

Rooftop solar installations

Green energy purchasing agreements

Battery storage systems

Ground-source heat pumps

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Smart Building Technologies

Intelligent building management systems offer precise energy control by:

Automatically adjusting heating and cooling

Monitoring energy consumption in real-time

Optimising lighting and temperature settings

Identifying potential energy waste

A simple solution is motion sensors for lighting. They can turn lights off in empty rooms automatically.

Another solution is smart thermostats. These systems adjust heating or cooling based on room occupancy, ensuring energy isn’t wasted.

More advanced solutions include integrated energy systems. Advanced networks can connect various energy-consuming devices, allowing centralised monitoring and control.

Green Building Design

New and renovated hotels should focus on improving insulation, using sustainable building materials, installing energy-efficient windows and natural lighting design, and passive heating and cooling techniques.

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Water Conservation

Water management is crucial for reducing carbon emissions. Hotels should install low-flow bathroom fixtures. Rainwater harvesting systems are another crucial upgrade.

Greywater recycling and more efficient landscaping with native plants are also good for water conservation.

Comprehensive Waste Management

We have discussed hotel waste management in another blog. In essence, effective waste strategies include:

Eliminating single-use plastics

Implementing comprehensive recycling

Creating food waste composting programmes

Partnering with local recycling facilities

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Promoting Sustainability to Guests and Staff

Hotels can encourage sustainable behaviour by:

Limiting choices: offering fewer, more sustainable options.

Incentivising staff: rewarding employees for promoting sustainability.

Providing information: using signs and labels to educate guests.

Making it easy: using user-friendly controls for energy-efficient settings.
Training staff: teaching staff about sustainability and how to help guests.

Evaluate Progress

Track energy use and emissions regularly to measure the impact of implemented changes. Continuous monitoring helps refine strategies and ensures the hotel stays on course to meet its goals.

How Often Should Hotels Track Their Emissions?

Hotels should track their emissions regularly. At a minimum, hotels should review data annually, but monthly checks are better for a detailed picture.

Advanced tools like smart meters can monitor energy use in real-time, providing accurate and timely insights to improve sustainability.

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Carbon Offsetting

When direct emissions cannot be eliminated, hotels can invest in verified carbon offset programmes such as reforestation projects or renewable energy developments. Remember to choose high-quality, transparent offset initiatives and avoid greenwashing.

Quick Steps to Start Reducing Emissions

Hotels can begin with simple, low-cost actions, such as:

Raise awareness: educate staff and guests about energy-saving practices.
Turn off appliances: ensure lights and devices are switched off when not in use, especially overnight.
Provide manual controls: equip guest rooms with instructions on adjusting thermostats and lighting to save energy.

These small steps form the foundation for broader sustainability initiatives.

Net zero is not a destination but a journey. Hoteliers need to be informed about new sustainability technologies and strategies. It is also important to train your staff in green practices and embrace innovation.

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12 Decarbonisation Strategies Every Hotel Business Should Consider

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