The changing landscape for sustainability in lodging

Business travel management companies and MICE-related businesses, driven by corporate customers committed to ESG-related goals, particularly carbon and GHG reporting, are catalysts for lodging (and other travel businesses, too) for sustainability-related action and reporting.

I think it is worthwhile taking issue with the question posed in this forum. What impact does the growing requirement for sustainability data in corporate RFPs have… While the premise may be true at this moment, it is worthwhile to consider some of the changes that have taken place as a result of the new administration in the United States. As we move into 2025 three inter-related issues must be recognized:

1. Attention to CSR/ESG is diverging, with Europe taking a proactive role, supported by regulatory frameworks, and the US pulling back. This matters in a global economy. Indeed, the last few weeks have been a good reminder that we cannot always rely on policy support for sustainability initiatives.
2. The new administration in the US has clearly signaled its intentions to roll back both climate and DEI action. This new political culture has caused – or allowed - many businesses to back away from their sustainability initiatives.
3. It was head-spinning to see how quickly US companies abandoned DEI efforts after the US administration changed policy. The climate movement – no matter how much good science we have – must learn from this pivot. While in many parts of the world, governments have adopted climate commitments, and we have colleagues in lodging businesses working diligently to reduce carbon, we cannot take support for climate action for granted.

One of the defining features of CSR is that it is voluntary. CSR is evidence of corporate citizenship beyond the requirements of the law. We will soon see who the socially responsible corporate citizens are and who are not. To all the companies - and each person in those companies-  working to make the world a better place through CSR and Sustainability in Hospitality - thank you. Your work is critical - now more than ever.