In a significant stride towards sustainable tourism, IHG Hotels & Resorts has introduced its groundbreaking Low Carbon Pioneers programme. This initiative unites energy-efficient hotels, committed to eliminating on-site fossil fuel combustion and relying solely on renewable energy.
Among the inaugural members of this programme are the Kimpton BEM Budapest in Hungary, Iberostar Waves Cristina in Spain, and Holiday Inn Express Madrid Airport, also in Spain. These hotels will spearhead IHG’s efforts to experiment, learn, and disseminate best practices in sustainability. Each property will implement cutting-edge initiatives, such as high-efficiency heat pumps for heating and hot water, alongside fully electric kitchens. IHG’s Green Engage environmental platform will be utilised to meticulously track energy data.
Moreover, each participating hotel will attain an operational sustainability certification recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, such as Green Key, or a sustainable building certification like LEED, BREEAM, or EDGE. New establishments will have a 12-month window post-opening to secure these certifications.
The broader vision of this initiative is to inspire more hotels to join the Low Carbon Pioneers programme. Simultaneously, IHG is forming a “low carbon ready” cohort of hotels, poised to transition fully to renewable energy as it becomes available in various regions.
IHG CEO Elie Maalouf expressed his enthusiasm about the initiative: “We are excited to launch our Low Carbon Pioneers programme as another innovative way in which we’re meeting evolving guest expectations, helping our hotel owners future-proof their businesses, and reducing carbon across our estate.”
Maalouf underscored the importance of this step in IHG’s ongoing sustainability journey. He called for broader support from governments, emphasising the need for greater access to renewable energy, incentives for hotel owners, and reduced costs for green technologies. “Accelerating change at scale for both IHG and the wider industry also requires broader support from governments,” he added.
IHG is dedicated to collaborating with industry bodies and governments to achieve a greener, more resilient future. The Low Carbon Pioneers programme aims not only to lower carbon footprints but also to serve as a beacon for others in the industry. Guests will soon find these pioneering hotels marketed as low carbon or low carbon-ready across IHG’s booking platforms, making it easier for environmentally conscious travellers to make sustainable choices.
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