Travel and Work
The Frog will explore The Climate Action Handbook: A Visual Guide to 100 Climate Solutions by Heidi Roop in the first 100 days of 2024
In the first `100 days of 2024 we will explore 100 climate solutions that may “empower you to evaluate, engage, and act” to address on-going climate change as an individual on your terms.
I used to travel often for my job. I remember having a conversation with a colleague on a trip who confessed that they enjoyed traveling and staying in hotels because they were able to blast the air-conditioner in the room to suit their preference – at home they had to compromise with their partner, and it was never quite cold enough.
When reading this chapter, it occurred to me that they clearly had not considered the environmental impact of that choice. Multiply that by all guests in all the hotel and motel rooms and you can grasp the magnitude of the climate challenges for the hospitality industry. Tourism-related accommodations account for 1% of total global greenhouse gas emissions, and it is a difficult sector to decarbonize.
Heidi cites research from the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance that highlights that hotels will have to achieve a 90% reduction in emissions per room to have an impact on mitigating global warming. They have established methodology to create baseline for current emissions and a detailed approach for hotel owners to take in order to reduce their impact.
Note: studies show that home shares (like Airbnb) have a similar impact on the environment as hotels and motels.
Properties should be able to identify what they have done to improve energy efficiency and water conservation, sourcing local foods, products and services, reducing waste, and using “eco-friendly” cleaning products. Larger hotel chains usually highlight their corporate practices and progress, such as in Hilton’s Environmental, Social and Governance Report. Properties can seek certifications that they can use to highlight their practices, such as Green Key and Green Globe.
As always, be alert for greenwashing…
As a consumer, your real power to make an impact on this challenging issue is to research and choose properties that have climate related goals, that are actively taking action, and that can document that they are making positive progress. This will help you “reduce the climate impact of your adventures” and will send a signal to the industry that it is important to address their climate impact.
Next Up: Climate Action in 2024 – Day 18: Reduce Trash When You Travel
Howard Creel
#rescuethatfrog
Email: rescuethatfrog@gmail.com