News
May 23, 2024
With an eye to the future, we have seen the hospitality industry redefine guest experiences through a wide range of sustainability initiatives. Recognising the critical importance of water as a resource, leading global hotel brands are at the forefront of these changes, spearheading initiatives aimed at drastically reducing water usage, eliminating single-use plastic and enhancing water conservation.
Here, we take a look at tactics applied by category leaders, highlighting select examples from their comprehensive ESG strategies.
Accor Group reduces its water footprint
Accor Group published its water policy in December 2023, sharing interesting findings from a 2019 study of its global water footprint. The company found that direct and indirect operations (onsite production or withdrawals) accounted for 40% of its water footprint, with 60% attributed to upstream activities (i.e., purchases for food and beverage activities). With this data at hand, Accor has committed to reducing its collective and local impact on water across the full value chain, aiming to operate within planetary boundaries by 2030. This means managing water usage in ways that do not exceed environmental limits.
To support properties in achieving this goal, along with other targets (such as Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050), the group has built online reporting tools that measure and monitor performance. They are also working with third-party certifications and accredited experts, such as Green Key and Green Globe, to conduct independent assessments and evaluate progress, ensuring accountability and benchmarked results at every step.
Hilton sets science-based carbon targets
Hilton has also set science-based carbon targets aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as part of its Travel with Purpose initiative. The company has committed to reducing water use in their managed operations by 50% by 2030 (2008 baseline) and implementing 20 community water projects to increase water access and resilience. In 2022, Hilton had already completed two community water projects and mapped 100% of its properties against World Wildlife Fund water risk indices, a framework that enables companies to explore, assess and respond to physical, regulatory and reputational water risks.
Other water-related initiatives across Hilton properties include:
- Building water-sensitive landscapes and replacing thirsty species with drought-tolerant plants and succulents
- Developing water recycling programs
- Installing water-efficient fixtures and programs
- Using atmospheric water generators in UAE-based hotels
In 2022, the company reported a 33.4% reduction in water consumption per square metre from its 2008 baseline, tracking towards its 2030 goal of a 50% reduction.
Mandarin Oriental empowers employees
The creation of plastic-free facilities is another target shared by luxury hoteliers and a goal set by Mandarin Oriental in 2018. By 2022, the company had eliminated 99% of single-use plastic in its own operations, with the exception of supplier packaging.
Hotel teams are empowered to participate in this effort, encouraged to identify single-use plastic items and solutions at local properties. Employees are given sample checklists, guidelines and training and the company shares best practices and solutions during quarterly Sustainability Champion calls and via internal communications. The hotel group works with independent parties, including Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance and Greenview Portal, to manage and verify the status of these goals.
Rove Hotels goes plastic free
Rove Hotels has also focused on single-use plastic elimination, replacing plastic water bottles across its properties with glass bottles. Key cards are created from bamboo and in-room amenities are packaged in dispensers made of recycled plastic and refilled instead of replaced.
The team has also incorporated savvy water strategies, including the use of saltwater pools instead of chlorine, to minimise the risk of harmful chemicals released into local water bodies, as well as water consumption limits on all fixtures, eco-friendly dishwashers that only use three litres per wash cycle and Airwater Co. atmospheric water generators that create and dispense pure drinking water right on site.
Achieving ESG goals with atmospheric water
Airwater Co. is proud to work with properties within each of these portfolios, whether providing onsite atmospheric water bottling facilities or air-to-water generators and dispensers in shared guest areas, such as lobbies or poolside. Popular choices include our AIR30, an indoor model capable of producing 30 litres of clean drinking water per day, and our AIR100, built for outdoor use and designed to generate 100 litres of water per day. We also serve properties with circular bottled water delivery, offering premium still and sparkling water in refillable, branded glass bottles.
Each of these solutions provides guests with high-quality hydration experiences and helps our partners meet their sustainability goals. Renewable water sources, along with each tactic discussed here, are becoming an integral part of a comprehensive ESG strategy — enhancing the guest experience at every touchpoint.
Interested in the benefits of atmospheric water for your property’s ESG strategy? Contact us and we’ll advise on the right solution to achieve your goals.