IHG Launches Hotel Industry’s First Low Carbon Pioneers Program

IHG Hotels & Resorts has launched its Low Carbon Pioneers program.

The program brings together energy-efficient hotels that have no fossil fuels combusted on-site and are backed by renewable energy.

The Low Carbon Pioneers program brings together a group of low-operational carbon hotels that will help IHG test, learn and share findings on sustainability measures.

It aims to inspire other properties to join and encourage wider adoption of carbon reduction practices across IHG’s estate.

The first Low Carbon Pioneer hotels span different IHG brands and locations at Holiday Inn Express Madrid Airport, Iberostar Waves Cristina, and Kimpton BEM Budapest, IHG said in a press release.

What does the Low Carbon Pioneers’ Program entail?

Each hotel will feature sustainable solutions such as high-efficiency heat pumps for heating, hot water generation, and fully electric kitchens.

Each property will also have an operational sustainability certification recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council or a sustainable building certification.

To track and measure their energy data, Low Carbon Pioneer hotels will use IHG’s Green Engage environmental platform. IHG is developing a low-carbon ready group of hotels in preparation for when it becomes possible to fully back all energy with renewables in countries or districts where this is not currently available.

The Low Carbon Pioneers program can play an important role in future-proofing properties within IHG’s estate and encourage wider adoption of carbon reduction practices.

Elie Maalouf, CEO, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said, “… This is an important next step in IHG’s sustainability journey but it remains one of many we must continue to take. Accelerating change at scale for both IHG and the wider industry also requires broader support from governments ranging from greater access to renewable energy and incentives for owners, to a reduction in the cost of technology that speeds up the industry’s transition to a greener, more resilient future. IHG is committed to working with industry bodies and governments to help achieve this, alongside encouraging more owners to adopt carbon reduction practices and become Low Carbon Pioneers.”