SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

Sandra Kneubuhler

Radisson Hotel Group releases its 2022 Responsible Business Report

Building on its long heritage as a leading sustainable hotel group, Radisson Hotel Group had a successful 2022 in which the Group committed to Net Zero by 2050, published approved near term Science Based Targets and pioneered key milestones and innovative Responsible Business initiatives aligned with its three pillars of People, Community, and Planet, as outlined in its 21st Responsible Business Report.

2022 was a strategically important year for Radisson Hotel Group’s sustainability program. With its commitment to be Net Zero by 2050, the Group implemented several initiatives including the net-zero transformation. With approved sciencebased carbon emission reduction targets for 2030 by SBTi, Radisson Hotel Group is placed amongst the leading companies aligning their targets with worldwide COP climate goals. The Group also signed the Glasgow Declaration and subscribed to a Nature Positive vision for the industry. In addition, Radisson Hotel Group also launched its renewable energy sourcing strategy and Build Planet guidelines for green building construction and conversions.

Together with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and the World Travel & Tourism Council, Radisson Hotel Group is providing a common path forward in hotel sustainability that is accessible to all hotels. The Group played a leading role in the development of Hotel Sustainability Basics and the Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality for hotels to be responsible for the planet and for people, beginning with essential actions everyone must implement.

“Achieving sustainability in the hospitality industry demands joint and coordinated efforts focused on specific measures that aim towards achieving net-zero, safeguarding biodiversity, and promoting equitable distribution of resources. Over the past year, significant progress has been made towards implementing meaningful and sustainable changes in the tourism industry and we urge all members of the hotel industry to move beyond mere aspirations for sustainability and pledge to undertake concrete actions that align with the Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality,” said Sandra Kneubuhler, country director of sales and district director, South Africa.

Think People:

As a diverse and inclusive employer, Radisson Hotel Group offers meaningful career moments and advancement to inspire team members and help them grow both professionally and personally. The Group’s seven strong company beliefs, the teams’ Yes

I Can! spirit, and their dedication to delivering memorable moments resulted in the Group being recognised as the #4 Best Employer in the Travel & Leisure industry globally by Forbes’ World Best Employers ranking for the second consecutive year. Additional key Think People highlights in South Africa include:

• 35 per cent women in leadership positions

• More than 35,000 hours spent in training and development

• 10 hotels certified by Safehotels

Think Community:

Radisson Hotel Group partners with multiple organisations to give back to the environment and the local communities where it operates. In 2022, the Group continued to partner with SOS Children’s Villages International to ensure that children grow up in a safe and caring family environment. The Group’s commitment to global water health is reflected in its partnership with Just a Drop to bring safe drinking water to water-stressed communities. Additional key Think

Community highlights and results include:

• 650 volunteer hours from corporate office and hotel team members

• R100,000+ donated in cash and in-kind by corporate offices and hotels to non-profit organisations

• R160,000+ donated in cash to SOS Children’s Village in South Africa.

Think Planet:

Radisson Hotel Group strives to achieve a net positive impact for the planet by combining forces to deliver positive and concrete action towards net-zero, biodiversity protection, and an equitable world. With near-term science-based targets approved for 2030, the Group is on track to meet the Paris Agreement 1.5°C goal as well as being committed to a Nature Positive approach. Radisson Hotel Group played a leading role in the development of Hotel Sustainability Basics aligned with the Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality. Additional Key Think Planet highlights and results from 2022 include two Hotels certified with eco-labels. Read the full Responsible Business 2022 report here https://media.radissonhotels.net/asset/responsible-business-corporate-use-only/miscellaneous/16256-142211-m26438577.pdf