BANGKOK, January 18, 2022 — the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), in partnership with global hospitality, travel and tourism industry organizations, has released a new methodology to help hotels set a net-zero path.
The Net Zero Methodology for Hotels provides detailed guidance on how hotels can address the technical aspects of net zero such as: B. what should be included in scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, milestones to be met in target years such as 2025, 2030 and 2040, and how to approach decarbonization through renewable energy. The methodology also provides guidance for alignment with frameworks such as the Science Based Targets Initiative, Race to Zero and the Glasgow Declaration.
Graham Harper, PATA Sustainability and Social Responsibility Advisor, said: “We are delighted to have supported the development of this new net zero methodology for hotels. Although many parts of Asia are still suffering significantly from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic as we gradually reopen, it is clear that sustainability is high on the agenda. This methodology will help hospitality companies understand the steps they need to take to get on the path to net zero.”
The methodology was authored by Greenview, a global sustainable hospitality consultancy, in collaboration with PATA, Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). It was developed through a collaborative process with industry experts, including an advisory group of over 20 hospitality companies, and after broad stakeholder consultation.
Eric Ricaurte, Founder and CEO of Greenview said: “As more hospitality companies make net zero commitments, it is important to document how the specific challenges faced by this sector should be addressed. All too often, existing guidance is related to commercial real estate, which does not address issues such as the unique owner/operator/franchisee relationships in hotels, ongoing portfolio changes, or the varying status of renewable energy in countries around the world. The methodology provides comprehensive and detailed guidance on all issues that will need to be addressed by a hotel owner or operator aiming to achieve net zero by 2050.”
“The methodology is not only aimed at those in the hotel industry who want to set a net-zero path, but also aims to provide additional insights for the broader climate change and net-zero community to understand the specific challenges and Opportunities faced by hotels can be better understood As hotel stays are included in Scope 3 Business Travel for companies in all sectors aiming to reach net zero, this methodology aims to provide a consistent approach to net zero for hotels, who supports these ambitions.”
Jeremy Smith, Founder of Tourism Declares added: “We are now seeing great momentum in the tourism and hospitality sector when it comes to net zero, with many commitments being made by businesses large and small. The challenge now is to deliver on those commitments and this methodology provides a critical tool to support the real progress that is being made. The challenge is great, but by following the guidance set out in this methodology, hotel businesses can begin to blaze their own trail plan that is attuned to global frameworks and, importantly, consistent with climate science.”
Chris Imbsen, Director of Sustainability at WTTC said: “At the COP 26 meeting in Glasgow last November we presented our Net Zero Roadmap for the travel and tourism sector. In it, we identified an opportunity for the hospitality industry to reduce more carbon faster than some other industries in our sector, such as cruises and aviation, and this methodology provides the details to follow to achieve that.”
Patrick O’Meara, CEO of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, said: “The hotel net zero methodology is a significant innovation that enables hotels to make credible and achievable net zero commitments. The method helps hotels to set limits, measure and report -Reduce emissions and make appropriate use of carbon offsets in the short to medium term. This will help those hotels that have not yet made significant progress to start their net zero journey immediately. We look forward to incorporating the guidance of this methodology outlined in our Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality, to be launched early next year.”
The net zero methodology for hotels is available for download at the Greenview website along with a summary and a handy guide to getting you started.
