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Worldwide: IHG Hotels & Resorts has launched its Low Carbon Pioneers programme, bringing together energy efficient hotels with no fossil fuels combusted on-site and powered by renewable energy.
The first member hotels of the Low Carbon Pioneers programme include:
• Kimpton BEM Budapest, Hungary
• Iberostar Waves Cristina, Spain
• Holiday Inn Express Madrid Airport, Spain
The group will help IHG test, learn, and share findings on sustainability measures. Each hotel will run initiatives such as high-efficiency heat pumps (for heating and hot water generation), as well as fully electric kitchens. The hotels will use IHG’s Green Engage environmental platform to measure energy data.
Every property will also have an operational sustainability certification recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council such as Green Key, or a sustainable building certification such as LEED, BREEAM or EDGE. New hotels will have 12 months to certify from opening.
The aim is to inspire additional hotels to join the Low Carbon Pioneers programme. IHG is also developing a “low carbon ready” group of hotels in preparation for when it becomes possible to fully back all energy with renewables in countries or districts where this is not currently available.
The full criteria for joining, including the five requirements of the programme, can be found here.
Elie Maalouf, CEO of IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “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.
“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 added.
Hotels will be marketed as low carbon or low carbon-ready across IHG’s booking channels.
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