IHG Low Carbon Pioneers Program
IHG HOTELS & RESORTS recently launched the “Low Carbon Pioneers” program to unite energy-efficient hotels that do not use on-site fossil fuel combustion and supported by renewable energy. This first-of-its-kind community will help IHG test, learn and share sustainability findings, aiming to inspire other properties and promote carbon reduction practices across IHG’s portfolio.
The company seeks government support for renewable energy access, owner incentives and reduced technology costs to speed the industry's transition to a greener future, IHG said in a statement.
“We are excited to launch our Low Carbon Pioneers program 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 [portfolio],” said Elie Maalouf, IHG Hotels & Resorts' CEO.
“This is an important next step in IHG’s sustainability journey but it remains one of many we must continue to take. Accelerating change at scale for both IHG and the wider industry also requires broader support from governments ranging from greater access to renewable energy and incentives for owners, to a reduction in the cost of technology that speeds up the industry’s transition to a greener, more resilient future.
“IHG is committed to working with industry bodies and governments to help achieve this, alongside encouraging more owners to adopt carbon reduction practices and become Low Carbon Pioneers,” he said.
Initial low carbon pioneers
The first “Low Carbon Pioneer” hotels span different IHG brands and locations, including:
- Holiday Inn Express Madrid Airport, Spain
- Iberostar Waves Cristina, Spain
- Kimpton BEM Budapest, Hungary
Each program hotel will use sustainable solutions such as high-efficiency heat pumps for heating and hot water, alongside fully electric kitchens, IHG said. Each property will also obtain operational sustainability certification recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, such as Green Key, or a sustainable building certification like LEED, BREEAM, or EDGE. Hotels will track and measure their energy data using IHG’s Green Engage environmental platform.
More hotels across all regions will join the program, the statement said.
IHG also is developing a group of "low-carbon ready" hotels in preparation for a future transition to renewable energy in regions where it's not yet feasible. The initiative aims to future-proof businesses for IHG’s hotel owners. The company also will foster wider adoption of carbon reduction practices across its portfolio through testing, learning and sharing findings.
Marketing sustainable stays
Guests seeking sustainable stays can find hotels marketed as low carbon or low-carbon ready across IHG’s booking channels. With almost all of IHG’s top global corporate accounts setting net-zero or carbon-neutral targets, the company anticipates that these hotels will appeal to corporate clients aiming to meet their sustainable travel commitments.
IHG said energy-efficient, lower-operational carbon hotels can also offer potential future benefits to owners, including better alignment with environmental regulatory changes and improved access to green finance for new projects. The company believes these advantages will lead to stronger property valuations in the future.
Marriott International recently released its 2024 Serve 360 Report highlighting the company’s global environmental, social and governance efforts and progress towards its 2025 sustainability goals. The report details sustainable operations, diversity and inclusion initiatives, volunteerism, and other ESG activities across Marriott's worldwide associates and hotels.
