CSR and Sustainability

💸 Starbucks, under CEO Laxman Narasimhan, announces multiple sustainability efforts, with a focus on combatting climate change by the end of 2023. They've launched a returnable beverage cup program with NextGen and partnered with Mercedes-Benz to install 400 electric vehicle chargers at 100 stores. Recently, Starbucks revealed a partnership with Nexamp, initiating six solar energy projects in Illinois, aimed to provide electricity savings for over 1,100 residents and power 170 local stores. These initiatives build on 340 Illinois stores already wind-powered, and by 2025, the solar projects will contribute more than 40 megawatts of solar energy. Starbucks also formed an environmental board committee to oversee green investments.

💾 Generation Z, with considerable buying power, is entering the full-time workforce and seeking travel experiences aligned with their values: healthy living, sustainability, and advocacy. Around 36% of Gen Z exercise regularly; 30% use hotel fitness facilities; 56% prefer eco-friendly accommodations; hotels can attract them with well-equipped fitness centers and sustainable practices, like cardio equipment converting human energy to electricity. Brown University student Elina Pipa influenced her university to adopt sustainable cardio fitness equipment. Ruben Mejia of SportsArt emphasizes the influence of Gen Z on the hospitality industry.

🏨 RIU Hotels & Resorts and Joyned partnership, launched June 2023, resulted in a 4.8x conversion rate, 5.3x ARPU increase, 16% growth in average deal value, and 11% revenue hike. The collaboration enables customers to plan trips collaboratively on RIU’s US website using Joyned’s tech, which has significantly improved business outcomes.

🚧 IHG Hotels & Resorts launched the Low Carbon Pioneers programme, aimed at energy efficiency and renewable energy use. The pioneering community includes properties like Holiday Inn Express Madrid Airport and Kimpton BEM Budapest, using high-efficiency heat pumps and electric kitchens. Properties must have sustainability certifications like Green Key or LEED and use IHG’s Green Engage platform to monitor energy. The programme marks a significant step in IHG's sustainability efforts and industry-wide carbon reduction.

💐 Feather allergy is rare, yet many suffer from adverse effects from feather materials in duvets and pillows, causing lung inflammation (Mayo Clinic). Hotels are increasing "feather free" room reservations, necessitating a reserved inventory percentage. Factors to consider include request history, room type, and advance request frequency. Other allergy-sensitive accommodations include fragrance free, hypoallergenic, pet free, and allergy-friendly rooms, which may feature hardwood floors, HEPA purifiers, allergen-free cleansers, and can carry a premium price.

📝 In the hotel industry, 53% of workers have reported sexual harassment. This contrasts with 35% of women in the general workforce and rises to 89% among women in hospitality. A speak-up culture, which includes implementing a whistleblower hotline and prioritizing anonymity and multilingual support, can protect employees and enhance trust. It requires transparency and accountability, and can help avoid non-compliance fines and reputational damage. Surveys can assess hotline awareness and efficacy among employees and customers. Story by Shannon Walker, EVP at Case IQ.

🍴 NORTH BETHESDA, Maryland—Choice Hotels International, Inc. partners with Entegra, granting Choice branded hotel owners access to over 3,000 suppliers worldwide via Entegra's digital group purchasing organization platform. Entegra Global CEO Damien Calderini and Choice Hotels VP of Procurement Anya Kroupnik highlight the partnership's aim to enhance hospitality experiences and reduce hotel ownership costs while increasing operational efficiency and guest satisfaction.

🌍 Thrust Carbon is the first company globally to align with the ISO 14083 carbon accounting standard for the travel industry, released last year. The standard, which has become the global benchmark, ensures clear and repeatable carbon calculations for travel and transport. The European Commission has adopted it for the CountEmissionsEU initiative. Thrust Carbon's alignment affects $100bn of annual global travel spend and includes multiple methodologies for emissions calculations. LRQA has assured Thrust Carbon's compliance with the standard, validating their carbon calculation methodologies and boosting client confidence.

🍻 BrewDog, the first carbon negative beer company since 2020, decided to let its carbon negative claim lapse due to high carbon credit costs. CEO James Arrow cited the need to focus on reducing emissions within their operations. The market for carbon credits has become unsustainable with low-quality schemes. BrewDog plans to invest instead in its Lost Forest tree planting project. In December 2023, the ASA criticized BrewDog for not substantiating its beers' carbon negative credentials. Earlier, poor weather caused the loss of saplings in their Lost Forest project, despite a £1.2m grant from Scottish Forestry.

🌱 IHG Hotels & Resorts launched the Low Carbon Pioneers program, featuring energy-efficient hotels like Holiday Inn Express Madrid Airport, Iberostar Waves Cristina, and Kimpton BEM Budapest. These properties use sustainable solutions, hold certifications from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, and track energy with IHG’s Green Engage platform. CEO Elie Maalouf emphasizes the importance of reducing carbon emissions and working with governments and industry bodies to support a sustainable future. The program aligns with corporate clients’ net-zero targets and prepares hotels for environmental regulatory changes and green finance.