Radisson Hotel Group Commits To Net Zero By 2050

Radisson Hotel Group has shared its sustainability achievements of last year as the hospitality major commits to becoming net zero by 2050.

In 2021, the group reduced its carbon footprint by 23 percent per square meter and reduced 13 percent of its water footprint per square meter (vs. 2019). In line with the group’s renewable energy transition strategy, more than 56 properties run 100 percent on renewable electricity.

Radisson Hotel Group is deeply committed to supporting the communities where it works and operates. Team members volunteered more than 26,500 hours and donated more than EUR510,000 to charitable causes, including SOS Children’s Villages, the group’s global charity partner.

“I am delighted to announce that Radisson Hotel Group is setting emission reduction targets in line with climate science, and we are committed to decarbonizing our business. While net-zero by 2050 seems far away, we need to take action immediately,” said Inge Huijbrechts, global senior vice president of sustainability, security and corporate communications, Radisson Hotel Group.

She continued: “Our world needs responsible businesses now more than ever, and we need to accelerate global climate action by 2030 in order to ensure a livable future for both our people and our planet. Much needed progress can be made by taking everyone in the hospitality value chain on the sustainability journey by setting increasingly ambitious sustainability goals.”

Radisson’s path to net-zero

At the end of last year, Huijbrechts called on Middle East hotel owners to do more on sustainability. The sustainability chief for more than 1,600 hotels in development and operation spoke to Hotelier Middle East about what the region must do to move forward.

She said: “It’s honestly rare to find owners that really want to go the whole way. There’s a misconception that building sustainably costs more – that’s not the case. There’s also a misconception thinking it cannot be achieved in Dubai or the Middle East. It is about operating your buildings more efficiently, any building without any investment can usually cut off five percent of its environmental impact. After that five percent, you will need to invest.

“Middle East hotel owners still need convincing. Countries are accelerating and industries are accelerating. We need to bring real estate owners along on the journey and make it clear what we stand for.”

Radisson SVP on hotels’ responsibilities

Radisson operates one of the oldest hotels in Dubai – the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek. Though it dates back to the 1970s, it is still Huijbrechts’ go-to example when it comes to sustainable hospitality.

“We know we will have to use examples. Something like the Radisson Blu Deira Creek, it’s iconic, but it also won the MENA Green Building Award last year. There are solar panel boilers. It’s possible to make these modern changes in older buildings, there’s no excuse,” she urged.

April 02, 2022