The hospitality sector is active at COP26. Independent of the results from official negotiations, the hospitality sector is ramping up efforts in mitigating impacts on climate and fostering greater collaboration across the supply and value chain. Net zero methodologies are being developed which are providing a transparent step-by-step guide for any industry player, from a small independently owned and operated hotel to the large, global chains. Beyond net zero, it is also time for the hospitality sector to harness its "regenerative" potential by supporting communities and restoring natural habitats. The Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality, announced by the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance during COP26, will provide a common roadmap to developers, owners, investors, operators and franchisees towards that regeneration imperative. In a tree-way conversation bringing the views from industry, academia and associations, the importance of COP26 for driving collaborative dialogue is discussed with an agreement that commitments need to be supported by concrete plans and actions. This is a turning point in the hospitality industry.

Discussing are: Inge Huijbrechts, Global Senior Vice President Sustainability, Security and Corporate Communications for Radisson Hotel Group, Patrick O"Meara, Interim CEO of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and Willy Legrand, Professor of Hospitality Management at the IU International University of Applied Sciences in Germany.

TIMELINE:

00:30
Introduction
01:30
COP26 - Where does the industry stand today 5 years after the Paris Agreement
06:12
What uninformed hoteliers should know about going towards "Net Zero"
10:40
What's 'Regenerative sustainability' and how can we apply this in hospitality & travel
18:10
Pathway to Net-Positive: A closer look at nature-based solutions
19:30
Impact on destinations: Can we afford not to travel in the post-pandemic era
26:35
Is "Net Positive Default" for hotels the ultimate goal?
32:35
Closing

Explained: Net Positive (netpositiveproject.org)
Explained: Net Positive (ssir.org)
Explained: Regenerative sustainability (medium.com)