Introduction

The desire to experience new places is deeply ingrained within human nature, but with the now alarming acceleration in climate change we must question the impact that travel has on the environment.

The hospitality sector needs to urgently adopt a net-zero, or net-positive approach. While this is a huge challenge to undertake, if we are going to make the necessary changes for the future, we need to take some big steps now.

Environmentally conscious tourists already seek out eco-friendly holidays, but, as we collectively become more aware of the critical importance of sustainability, all future travellers are going to possess a greater knowledge of their carbon footprint and expect carbon neutral hotels as standard.

Over the past two years we have made pledges that outline our intent to reach netzero design in architecture and workplace interiors, backed by research conducted by our global experts.

This report expands on our recent pledges for architecture1 and workplace interiors2. It sets out our journey to achieving net-zero embodied carbon targets for hospitality interior design projects, and provides guidance for brands, owners and operators as to how they can achieve net-zero design.

Join us on our journey to net-zero, now. "We have an obligation to ingrain sustainability into our design process, not only for the betterment of the planet, but also to educate others. This does not mean we have to compromise aesthetics. In fact, through applying this rationale to creativity we can produce our best work." — Neil Andrew, Head of Hospitality

Why Net-Zero?

Although there is no hard and fast rule, hotels currently experience soft refurbishments around every five to seven years. The renovation cycle is typically much shorter for F&B (Food & Beverage) spaces, alongside continuously changing customer needs.

This regular cycle of change means that we must look at how items can be reused, or recycled, and avoid throwing them into a landfill. When refurbishing a hospitality space that has not been designed with the whole life cycle of materials and FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Fittings) in mind, it becomes more of a challenge to repurpose items. For example, in the UK alone around 7.5 million mattresses are thrown into landfills each year, and in the US this figure is around 21 million3 , this fact alone demonstrates the need for change. At the same time as designers we must consider the constitution of man made materials, if natural whether they are sourced sustainably, and the ultimate distance that they are transported over in order to reduce the project’s carbon footprint.

Research by Nature Climate Change in 2018 shows that tourism is responsible for 8% annual GHG emissions4. However, the industry plays an important role in the economy, accounting for 1 in 10 jobs in the UK5. So we must encourage sustainable development in order to ensure that the sector growth does not increase carbon emissions.

Tourism is responsible for 8% of global greehouse gas emissions

Our Pledge

Our Pledge

When we launched our Net-Zero Now pledge for interiors in October 2020, we set ambitious targets for ourselves to reach our net-zero carbon goals. The targets we have set for net-zero hospitality projects aligns with our interiors pledge, while taking into account the progress we have made and challenges that lie ahead.

We pledge that:

In Q3 2021 we will launch a consultation process with our key contractors, sub-contractors and supplier partners to ensure that our supply chain will meet our net-zero targets.

By September 2022 half of our projects will be designed to be 100% Circular. By 2025 all of our projects will be designed to be 100% Circular.

By 2030 all of our projects will be net-zero embodied carbon as demonstrated through a Whole Life Carbon Assessment

1. Supply chain engagement

Engage hospitality suppliers to be part of the NOW Database 2. LCA on every project

All projects will have a Whole Life Carbon Assessment and a Carbon Budget 7. Half of hospitality projects will be 100% recyclable

Half of our projects will be designed to be 100% recyclable

NOW

Current Q2 2022 Q4 2022

Q1 2022

1. Strategy document

Provide a net-zero embodied carbon or circular design strategy at RIBA Stage 2 for all new projects, at no cost to the client

Q3 2022

6. Hospitality Circular Design Guidelines

Publish Circular Design Guidelines internally for use on all hospitality interiors projects 10. All projects will be net-zero embodied carbon

All hospitality projects will be net-zero embodied carbon, demonstrated through a Whole Life Carbon Assessment based on a 75% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from baseline

2025 2030

9. 100% recyclable and 75% recycled

All new materials specified will be 100% recyclable and 75% recycled or reclaimed by weight