Sustainability Consulting

Paving the Way to Responsible Hospitality

Why Sustainable Hospitality?

A significant and expanding demographic of travellers are selecting travel brands that resonate with their values, making it a pivotal consideration in their decision-making process.

The travel & tourism sector contributes approximately 8% to global CO2 emissions. In the UK alone, the hospitality sector accounts for 15% of total UK greenhouse gasses. Customers are seeking more eco-mindful experiences and demanding greater transparency and commitment; the hospitality sector has little choice but to respond to this growing trend.

Sustainable hospitality refers to practices undertaken with the aim of reducing environmental impact. In addition to resonating with customers’ preferences, implementing sustainable practices, such as energy and water conservation can lead to long term cost savings through reduced utility bills and operational expenses.

The future of sustainable hospitality will see a greater focus on green building practices, energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy sources, and eco-friendly materials to minimize environmental impact and promote resource conservation in both existing properties and new developments. For those deeply dedicated to sustainability, we anticipate greater engagement in conservation projects and practices worldwide.

68% of respondents to Deloitte’s Global State of the Consumer Survey described climate change as an emergency

53% of global travellers say they’re more determined to travel sustainably than they were a year ago according to a Booking.com report

Strive for Excellence

Given the complexity of operations and substantial investments required to undertake initiatives, a sustainability / net zero strategy can appear challenging and out of reach. Hubeco partners with clients to craft a bespoke long-term strategy and implementation plan that is financially rewarding, environmentally impactful and engaging to customers.

Depending on where you are on your journey, Hubeco can support you by offering the following type of services:

Vision, priority and strategy planning
360 footprint assessment of current operations and sites
Multi-stage implementation plan aligned with long-term strategy
Identification & recommendation of suppliers and services as required
External and Internal communication planning
Workshops aligning employees to corporate culture
Carbon reporting and certification support
Advisory to net zero and conservation investment

Define your Sustainability Vision

We collaborate with senior leadership to evaluate suitable short-term and long-term sustainability goals, assess your current status, and determine how to bridge the gap.

We support you and your teams at every phase, from strategy development to successful implementation, with a focus on operations, responsible sourcing, project development, conservation investment, and your journey to net zero.

ESG & Carbon Strategy

Developing an ESG strategy that enables to you to achieve long-term and net zero carbon objectives that resonates with your ethos and aligns with major international frameworks, including GhG and SBTi. Hubeco provides an ESG due diligence service that supports risk mitigation and provides reports outlining key performance indicators and future ESG risks and opportunities. ESG performance is assessed at the property and/or portfolio level and recommendations outlined for improvement. Carbon emission reporting in compliance with globally recognized sustainability frameworks and certifications can also be provided.

Operationalise Sustainability

Responsible hospitality refers to a commitment to operate in an environmentally sustainable manner. It involves practices that prioritise reducing carbon footprint and minimising impact on natural capital. Energy savings, natural habitat protection, customer and employee wellbeing benefits are but a few rewards for undertaking these activities.

Numerous established and scalable opportunities have been developed to mitigate environmental impact, with a steady stream of innovative programs and technologies continually emerging. Certain sustainability adjustments can be swiftly implemented with minimal investment, while others may necessitate a coordinated, multi-year endeavour.

Regardless of where your journey begins, our innovative approach aligns with client aspirations and actions with significant global frameworks, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, UN Global Compact, and COP21 Paris Agreement. Our adaptable delivery model guarantees that services are customised to meet your unique requirements.

A roadmap to sustainability can involve any number of the below focus areas.

Energy Efficiency

Adopting automated energy management systems, integrating real-time monitoring and dashboarding across multiple sites to optimize heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. This entails practices such as installing energy-efficient lighting and appliances or adjusting the usage of existing systems.

Renewable Energy

Incorporating renewable energy sources where feasible is becoming increasingly conventional. In addition to solar and wind generation, some hotels are utilising geothermal, biofuel, and hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Water Usage

Practicing water conservation and reuse by employing low-flow faucets, toilets, and shower heads, along with smart irrigation controllers, continuous batch washing machines and rainwater collection and desalination systems. Automated systems providing real-time usage reports and leakage alerts are increasingly being implemented.

Waste Management

Adopting practices such as phasing out single-use plastics, utilising biodigesters for food waste management, donating surplus edible food, recycling and composting proves effective in reducing the amount of waste generated by hotel operations.

Chemical Usage

Transitioning to non-toxic, eco-friendly, and biodegradable chemicals for housekeeping and other purposes further enhancing the well-being of customers and employees.

Sustainable Sourcing & Value Chain

Establishing responsible purchasing strategies and implementing processes spanning the entire lifecycle are crucial for creating a functional value chain. Emphasizing seasonal ingredients, cultivating onsite gardens and forging alliances with local suppliers can reduce emissions. Additionally, utilising sustainable fabrics, products and suppliers for furniture, fixtures and equipment (FFE) contributes to environmental stewardship.