The two companies plan to develop an ESG measurement framework for the hotel sector, create sustainable guest rooms, reduce food waste, and explore opportunities in sustainable finance. Photo Credit: Accor
Accor and Jin Jiang Hotels have teamed up to drive sustainable
practices across the hospitality industry. The two leading hospitality
companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Fifth
Meeting of the Council of China-France Entrepreneurs held in Beijing
recently.
The primary goal of the partnership is to reduce the carbon emissions
of the sector by promoting sustainable practices. Both companies are
aiming to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by
2060.
The partnership will work towards establishing an ESG measurement
framework that is tailored specifically to the hotel industry. The
framework will help create a benchmark and set targets for sustainable
development goals that are relevant to the hospitality sector.
Jin Jiang Hotels and Accor will also be pioneering new industry
standards that will focus on sustainable guest rooms and reducing food
waste. The two companies plan to create sustainable guest rooms that
will reduce carbon emissions from construction and operations without
compromising guest experience. They aim to reduce utility costs such as
water and electricity by 10% across both groups by 2030.
The partnership will also focus on reducing food waste by 30% by
2030, by utilising universal technology to minimise food waste generated
in every stage from procurement to guest services and catering
services.
The School for Change training programme is also part of the
partnership, which will be launched for all headquarters and hotel
levels. The School for Change was initially launched at all Accor
headquarters to increase employee awareness of sustainable development
challenges.
This collaboration will provide employees and talents in hotels of
both partners access to a content platform and training path focused on
the basics of climate change, enhancing their individual understanding
of its causes and impact on biodiversity and communities.
Sustainable finance is another aspect that the MoU will evaluate and
explore potential business cooperation opportunities in. The two
companies are hoping to use loans and green financing to establish a
direct connection between the financial terms of their credits and
predetermined sustainability goals and standards.