Comment: Future Hospitality Summit speakers on the Middle East's ESG priorities

The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) 2023 takes place in Abu Dhabi in September, with environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals high up on the agenda."Year of Quality", encompassing:‚ÄØGuest experiences and services‚ÄØin line with our localization strategy to launch hospitality schools in the UAE and KSA and attract young local talent to our business, Colleague engagement as an integral corporate strategy for a team that is engaged through training, reward and recognition, and prioritizing wellbeing."

Paul Stevans, COO, Premium, Midscale & Economy Division, Middle East, Africa and Türkiye at Accor
"Among the key environmental ESG areas, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is a priority.‚ÄØFrom construction to daily operations, Accor is strongly engaged with resolute action to respect the natural limits of our planet and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We have introduced a number of tools for our hotels and clients, as part of the carbon commitment, including a‚ÄØsurvey and score card for hotels to build their energy performance and saving opportunities, and‚ÄØa net zero carbon calculator to help Meeting & Event clients calculate the carbon footprint of their event‚ÄØand allow the purchase of carbon credits to balance the remaining emissions.‚ÄØ

"As part of its commitment to ESG activities, Accor signed the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism launched by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNTWO), setting an ambitious science-based emissions reduction target: -46% absolute emissions by 2030 compared to the 2019 base year and joined the 'Business Ambition for 1.5°C' programme to limit global warming, making Accor the first international hotel group to make a long-term commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

"Furthermore, our hotels have a long-standing commitment against plastic, which began In 2020, where we began eliminating plastic straws, cotton buds and stirrers. In 2022, 96% of our UAE hotels in the Premium, Midscale & Economy Division eliminated Single Use Plastic from guest facing areas ranging from Food & Beverage, in-room amenities and meeting and events. Today, we are working towards ambitious targets and have added 9 more items to be eliminated from guest facing areas based on the UN GTPI recommendations. The continued efforts in 2023 resulted in 63% of our hotel being compliant (YTD) and we are going a step further with the transformation by monitoring and eliminating back of house single use plastic.. The global objective is for 80% of our hotels to eliminate single use plastic from guest facing areas ‚ÄØ( 50+ items) by the end of 2023."

Elie Milky, VP Business Development, Radisson Hotel Group
"While all facets of sustainability are essential, the most pressing priority for our industry is the need to address our environmental footprint, given the scale and nature of our operations. This includes reducing carbon emissions, minimizing waste, and conserving resources. As an industry that primarily revolves around physical locations, buildings, and transportation, we have a significant role in driving forward green building practices, efficient energy consumption, and sustainable transportation solutions for our guests.

"Radisson Hotel Group has a history of responsible business since our first environmental policy in 1989. We aim to be Net Zero by 2050 with science-based targets, focusing on enhancing energy efficiency and transitioning to renewables. We offer our guests carbon-neutral meetings and EV charging networks in India and Europe. Our commitment extends to business ethics, supply chain sustainability, reducing carbon footprints, and supporting employability programs. Beyond our boundaries, we lead industry initiatives like Hotel Sustainability Basics and the Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality."