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As the effects of climate change become increasingly visible, consumer attitudes are shifting toward sustainability. Today’s travellers are more conscious than ever of their environmental impact, with many actively seeking out environmentally friendly hotels that align with their values.
For hotels and hospitality businesses, this shift means sustainability is no longer optional. In this guide, we explore what sustainability and eco-friendliness truly mean for environmentally friendly hotels, the benefits of adopting greener practices, and the practical steps your business can take to appeal to a growing wave of environmentally conscious consumers.
The term environmentally friendly hotels can mean different things to different people, but at its core, it goes beyond basic initiatives like providing recycling bins or turning off lights when rooms are unoccupied. Truly environmentally friendly hotels embed sustainability into every aspect of their operations, making it a seamless part of operations and guest experience.
Rather than focusing on isolated actions, environmentally friendly hotels take a holistic approach to reducing their environmental impact. This includes carefully managing energy consumption, minimising waste, conserving water, and addressing wider factors such as supply chains and Scope 3 emissions. They don’t just implement these measures, they actively track, measure, and improve their performance.
A key priority for leading environmentally friendly hotels is decarbonisation. This means reducing emissions at the source through energy efficiency and renewable solutions, whilst using offsetting for emissions that they can’t completely eliminate.
Many successful environmentally friendly hotels also go one step further by engaging their guests through education and subtle nudges, encouraging visitors to adopt more sustainable behaviours during their stay.
In recent years, we have seen growing trends showing that more and more customers are favouring environmentally friendly and sustainable hotels whilst travelling. A study from Booking.com found that 75% of global travellers say that they want to travel more sustainably, and 43% would feel guilty when they make less sustainable travel choices. When it comes to why customers want environmentally friendly and sustainable hotels, a significant portion stated that they believed being sustainable was ‘the right thing to do’, reflecting a shift in consumer mindset.
This changing perception of sustainability means that travellers want to support businesses that reflect their personal beliefs, particularly when it comes to environmental responsibility, and choosing a hotel with strong environmental commitments allows them to contribute to causes they care about.
Many green-minded travellers like the idea of ‘guilt-free’ travel and choosing a sustainable hotel helps guests feel that their trip is not at the expense of the environment.
Another reason for this shift in priorities is the effects of climate change becoming more visible in everyday life, with events such as extreme weather becoming more common, and putting pressure on consumers and businesses alike to be more sustainable. This has led to people seeking out travel options that minimise harm and promote healthier surroundings. Sustainable hotels often meet this expectation by offering non-toxic, organic products, using natural materials, and maintaining better indoor air quality. This contributes to a “wellness” travel experience, which is becoming a key priority for many guests.
Another important factor is the desire to support local communities. The “shop local” movement has extended into travel, with many tourists wanting more authentic and immersive experiences. Sustainable hotels frequently partner with local suppliers, hire local staff, and invest in the surrounding area, giving guests a stronger connection to the destination they’re visiting.
Social influence plays a role as well. Reviews, recommendations, and travel platforms often highlight sustainability practices. Positive feedback about eco-friendly initiatives can strongly influence booking decisions, making sustainability a competitive advantage for many hotels, whilst also showing a ‘forward-thinking’ mindset.
It is also worth noting that consumers are becoming more aware of greenwashing. Rather than accepting vague claims, they are placing greater trust in genuinely environmentally friendly and sustainable hotels that can demonstrate their commitment through certifications, transparent reporting, and measurable progress.
The Booking.com survey also found that 67% of respondents said that witnessing sustainable practices whilst traveling inspires them to be more sustainable in their everyday life This means that by implementing eco-friendly practices, your efforts could have a positive knock-on effect.
With greater importance being placed on sustainability by guests, it’s no surprise that environmentally friendly hotels can see a number of benefits from adopting more sustainable practices.
Long-term cost savings and operational efficiency – Although initial investments may be higher, eco-friendly technologies and practices often lead to reduced utility bills and maintenance costs, making your business more financially sustainable as well as environmentally sustainable.
Lower environmental impact- Hotels can actively reduce their carbon footprints by implementing a range of measures, targeting aspects of operations such as energy use and waste. This helps decrease greenhouse gas emissions and reduces strain on natural resources.
A healthier and safer indoor environment for guests – By using non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products and improving ventilation systems, hotels can reduce exposure to harmful chemicals. This not only improves overall guest comfort but is also beneficial for those with allergies, asthma, or sensitivities.
Stronger brand reputation and customer loyalty – Hotels that prioritise sustainability can attract environmentally conscious travellers; increasing trust and leading to repeat bookings and positive recommendations.
Support for local communities and economies- Many environmentally friendly hotels will source food, materials, and services locally, which helps support small businesses, create jobs, and reduce emissions from transportation. This creates a stronger connection to the destination and a more memorable experience for your guests.
If you are trying to make your hotel more environmentally friendly, it is important to look at all areas of your operations and focus your efforts on key areas.
Understanding your carbon footprint and energy use is the first step towards reducing it. By understand the real-world impact of your energy use and emissions output you can make better decisions and more impactful changes.
A great place to start is by conducting a thorough business energy audit. This will highlight where energy is being used inefficiently and identify any opportunities for improvement. For larger hotels, multi-site operations, or chains, submetering can provide even deeper insights showing exactly where and when energy is being used across different areas of your business.
You should also regularly monitor and evaluate your energy-saving initiatives, so you can adjust them accordingly and make continuous improvements.
There are lots of hidden energy drains in hotels that can go unnoticed if you’re not looking out for them. For example, regular servicing of equipment is a great way to ensure everything is running as it should, preventing energy waste and extending the lifespan of your equipment. Choosing more energy-efficient appliances when replacing older equipment can also make a noticeable difference to your energy efficiency.
Targeted upgrades can further boost your energy performance, such as switching to LED lighting, improving insulation, and installing motion or occupancy sensors to reduce unnecessary energy use without compromising on guest comfort. Smart controls for heating and cooling systems can also ensure energy is only used when and where it’s needed.
Reducing waste is a key part of becoming a more sustainable hotel, and food waste is a major area of opportunity for hotels with on-site restaurants. By composting your food waste, you can cut down what you throw away, as well as using the compost to grow your own herbs and ingredients on-site. This not only reduces waste but also creates a green space for guests to enjoy and demonstrates a visible commitment to sustainability.
Smarter menu planning can also make a big difference. Focusing on whole, seasonal, and locally produced foods often means less packaging, lower costs, and fresher ingredients.
Water waste is another important consideration, and installing low-flow fixtures, using greywater or rainwater recycling systems, and implementing leak detection technology can all help reduce unnecessary usage.
Finally, working with a reliable waste management partner will ensure waste is handled responsibly. Eliminating general waste by switching from single use items to refillable options or providing drinking water stations is another simple but impactful step.
Scope 3 emissions are those that are generated across the wider supply chain and can account for over 70% of a company’s total carbon footprint, making it an essential part of hotel sustainability. This includes everything from food and beverage sourcing to laundry services and guest travel. To address this, sustainable hotels should closely examine their supply chains, prioritising local sourcing where possible to reduce transport emissions, and opting to work with suppliers that meet regulations and have their own sustainability measures in place.
For larger businesses and hotel chains, scope 3 reporting could become part of regulatory reporting requirements, so getting ahead of this could help reduce headaches further down the line.
At Consultus Sustainability, our team specialise in working with hotels and other hospitality sector businesses to examine their current operations and design and implement solutions that prioritise sustainability and carbon reduction.
Net Zero Pathway- Wherever you are on your journey to create a more environmentally friendly hotel, our Net Zero Pathway service offers a unique approach that will develop a tailored plan for your requirements and goals. We offer four different packages, so whether you’re just starting your sustainability journey, or already well on your way, we can support you.
Business Energy Audits- Having a deep understanding of your energy usage and carbon emissions is an essential part of any sustainability strategy. Our business energy audits let you dive deeper into your energy insights so you can spot areas where you can focus your efforts.
Scope 3 Reporting – Scope 3 emissions make up a huge chunk of a hotel’s carbon output, so measuring them accurately is essential. At Consultus, we have a team dedicated to supporting businesses with collecting accurate data, benchmarking performance, and identifying opportunities for carbon reduction in their supply chain, helping them stay compliant and target emissions at the source.
Cultural Engagement – Sustainability is a team effort, and our Discover Cultural Engagement tool is a great way to strengthen your team’s understanding of sustainability in your hotel. Our 3D interactive tool lets you walk through a digital version of your hotel, spotting areas of energy consumption and opportunities for savings in a fun and interactive way.
If you’re ready to get started, get in touch to discover how Consultus Sustainability can support you.
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