The hotel industry must reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per room per year by 66% by 2030, and 90% by 2050 (see ITP, 2017). However, looking at 10 of the largest hotel companies, only one sets a goal that is in line with the science-based targets. Decarbonization has long become an integral part of risk assessment in other industries. Considering the current growth in hotel supply, the industry has already committed future carbon dioxide emissions via (often) poorly designed and air-conditioning hungry new properties. What drives the lack of commitment in the hospitality industry? What keeps developers and investors away from building a carbon-neutral future? What are the main obstacles ahead? What can the industry do better and how?

Roger Allen
Roger Allen
Group CEO of RLA Global
Katarina  Tesarova
Katarina Tesarova
VP of Global Sustainability for Las Vegas Sands Corp.
Peter Varga
Peter Varga
Assistant Professor at EHL Hospitality Business School
Elena  Cavagnaro
Elena Cavagnaro
Professor of Sustainability in Hospitality and Tourism at Stenden University of Applied Sciences
Henri  Kuokkanen
Henri Kuokkanen
Associate Professor at Institut Paul Bocuse
Kathy McGuire
Kathy McGuire
Principal Sustainable Development at 3 Pillar Solutions, LLC

As a sustainability consultant to the hotel industry, there is very slow movement toward sustainable hospitality. The major hotel brands that have set goals do so for the properties they own and manage, which is perhaps 10% of the hotel inventory world-wide. They do not require investor-owners to adopt their goals. Travelers need to demand sustainability, and organizations, such as the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and their state counterparts need to provide the education of the benefits.

Willy Legrand
Willy Legrand
Professor at IU International University of Applied Sciences Germany
Eric Ricaurte
Eric Ricaurte
Founder at Greenview
Nicolas   Dubrocard
Nicolas Dubrocard
Founder & Director, Audit Diagnostic Solutions Tourism
Frauke  Fischer
Frauke Fischer
Founder, Agentur Auf!
Benjamin  Lephilibert
Benjamin Lephilibert
Founder & CEO, LightBlue Environmental Consulting
Aurora  Dawn Benton
Aurora Dawn Benton
Founder & CEO, Astrapto
Gabriel C. M. Laeis
Gabriel C. M. Laeis
Lecturer at IUBH International University