Carbon emissions down, ESG targets up for Hilton

Global hospitality company Hilton and its philanthropic arm, Hilton Global Foundation, have released the 2023 Hilton Global Foundation Impact Report and the 2023 Hilton Travel with Purpose Report.

The Travel with Purpose Report outlines the brand’s progress towards its Travel with Purpose strategies that aim to drive responsible travel on a global level through carbon reduction targets validated by science-based targets and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Led by 469,000 team members globally and 62,000 Asia-Pacific team members, Hilton’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy has led to results including a 45.1% reduction in carbon emissions intensity among its managed hotels, a 25.1% reduction in carbon emissions intensity among its franchised hotels, 26.5% reduced water use intensity among its managed hotels, and a lowered landfilled waste intensity by 63.7% – surpassing its initial 2030 target of reducing this intensity by 50%.

Increased sustainability efforts in APAC

Hilton has continued to advance its ESG targets in the Asia Pacific by supporting causes including efficient resource management, waste reduction, learning opportunities, responsible sourcing, and carbon footprint reduction.

Part of this has been the brand’s drive to phase out single-use miniature bottles in 2023 and transitioning to full-size shampoo, conditioner, and soap amenities. In Asia, dry amenities such as toothbrushes and razors made from bamboo, wheatstraw and wood will be offered.

In Singapore, Hilton Singapore Orchard has introduced the Nordaq in-house water filtration and bottling system to treat, purify and bottle up to 500 reusable glass bottles per hour to further reduce plastic waste.

Championing local causes

In another report, Hilton recorded partnership efforts with the Hilton Global Foundation to drive progress toward 2030 Travel with Purpose goals; the Hilton Global Foundation Report noted that over US$4.4 million in grants was donated to organisations with a goal to protect local environments and support the representation and resilience of communities around the world.

Operations supported by these grants include environmental conservation efforts such as the Sungai Watch in Indonesia and Ocean Conservancy in Australia, which seek to prevent pollution and protect marine environments, as well as community efforts such as the Punlaan School in the Philippines and the VOICE Area Federation in Sri Lanka.

The Hilton Global Foundation will also be making the World Wildlife Fund across Asia Pacific, Be Your Eyes in China, Scholars of Sustenance in Indonesia and the Whakatipu Reforestation Trust in New Zealand recipients of a record US$3.3 million contribution to aid individuals with disabilities, redistribute surplus food to the needy, and drive biodiversity conservation.

Beyond environmental targets, the brand has also created over 860,000 learning and career growth opportunities in 2023, contributed over 377,000 volunteer hours in communities around the world, and distributed over $865,000 to a record number of Hilton Team Members impacted by disaster, crisis and personal hardship.