Sustainability in the hotel industry: Challenges, solutions & trends in 2025

The hospitality industry is responsible for approximately 8% of global CO₂ emissions. With the rate of climate change accelerating, guests now expect greener choices. Hotels, restaurants, and tourism operators must opt for greener practices to meet customer expectations and global regulations..  

While hospitality includes hotels F&B, and entertainment, this article  will focus on hotels. We'll explore their sustainability challenges, trends shaping the industry, and best practices like energy efficiency, waste reduction, and ESG tracking for a greener future.

The current state of sustainability in the hotel industry

Let’s explore where hotels stand today and what’s improving in their sustainability efforts.

Emissions & environmental impact

Hotels drive high emissions, energy and water use, food waste, and plastic pollution, impacting sustainability and climate goals.

• The tourism sector alone accounts for about 8% of global CO₂ emissions.
• Hotels consume high amounts of electricity in HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) and lighting.
• A single hotel room consumes up to 1,500 liters of water a day for guest services, pools, and laundry.
• Hotels generate significant food waste through buffets and uneaten meals, leading to landfill overflow and methane emissions.
• Single-use plastics from toiletries, packaging, and disposable cutlery further add to the industry’s environmental footprint.

Progress toward net-zero goals

Studies indicate that, with current measures, the accommodation sector can achieve a 15-20% reduction in emissions. The hospitality industry is actively working toward net-zero carbon emissions, with several notable developments in hotels:

• Major hotel chains, including Marriott and Hilton, have set ambitious goals to decrease GHG emissions. For example, Marriott aims to cut its carbon emissions intensity by 30% by 2025, while Hilton plans to decrease its GHG emissions by 61% by 2030. ​
• Accor, a multinational hospitality company that owns and manages hotels, resorts, and vacation properties, has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, reflecting its dedication to sustainability.
• Organizations like the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance have developed comprehensive methodologies to assist hotels in setting and achieving net-zero commitments to reduce their carbon footprints effectively. ​

Recent key sustainability developments and initiatives worldwide

• Populus in Denver, marketed as America's first "carbon positive" hotel, aims to offset more carbon than it emits through sustainable construction practices, renewable energy use, and extensive tree-planting initiatives.
• Hilton’s Hotel Marcel New Haven is an all-electric, solar-powered hotel designed to produce as much energy as it consumes.
• Opened in June 2023 in Singapore, the Pan Pacific Orchard Hotel is a 23-story building featuring over 340 rooms, an artificial lagoon, tropical plants, and a jungle terrace with more than 100 plant species.
• Rosewood São Paulo, Brazil, operates entirely on renewable energy, thanks to solar panels and a partnership with Omega Energy. It also maintains a waste management program to recycle all solid and organic disposables and using an in-house water filtration system to produce glass-bottled water for guests.

Challenges to sustainability in the hotel industry

Going green isn’t easy for hotels. Here aresome hurdles they face:

High energy & water consumption

Energy accounts for approximately 3-6% of a hotel's operating costs but contributes to about 60% of its carbon footprint! Hotels also face challenges in water usage in regions with high tourism growth and water scarcity.

Food waste & supply chain challenges

Hotels  contribute to significant global food waste. In fact, in Ireland a study found that out of hotels, pubs, restaurants, cafes and canteens, hotels have the highest level of food waste. Vegetables are the most commonly wasted food type (11%), followed by bread (9%), meat (8%), and potatoes (7%). This waste represents a loss of resources and leads to increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, hotels face challenges in sourcing sustainable ingredients due to higher costs and complex logistics. Ensuring supply chain transparency and verifying suppliers' adherence to strict sustainability standards can be difficult.

Guest behavior & wasteful practices

Many guests request daily replacements for towels and linen, over use air conditioning and take long showers or leave taps running. As a consequence, water and energy consumption increase, despite sustainability efforts of hotel management.

Hotels can try to change this type of behavior by educating guests on sustainability practices through signs and check-in information. But doing this without compromising guest comfort and experience remains a delicate balance.

Operational costs & ROI concerns

Green infrastructure investment like solar panels and water recycling systems needs upfront capital. This financial barrier stops small hospitality businesses from implementing upgrades.

Moreover, sustainability investments take along time to pay off. Having said that, energy efficiency initiatives lead to significant cost savings over time. For instance, Hilton’s energy management system resulted in over $1 billion in utility cost savings.

How the hotel industry can go green

Here’s how hotels can look to reduce carbon emissions:

Technology & innovation

Hotels can implement IoT-powered solutions to monitor and optimize energy consumption. For instance, Sensibo Airbend enables centralized control of air conditioning units, leading to energy savings of over 40%.

Moreover, hotels can implement end-to-end ESG software, like Zuno Carbon’s solution to measure carbon emissions and track ESG metrics. Tools like Zuno Carbon provide companies with a centralized system for managing their sustainability data and understanding their baseline emissions. Companies can then gain insights into emission hotspots and set sustainability goals and targets to work towards.

Eco-friendly building & design

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a globally recognized certification that proves a building meets high environmental performance standards. It means that a hotel uses less energy, conserves water, reduces waste, and lowers carbon emissions compared to non-certified properties. Plus, Building a LEED-certified hotel only costs 1-2% more than a non-green hotel.

Moreover, use the following design elements for your hospitality establishment:

• Green roofs are rooftop gardens covered with vegetation. They decrease heat absorption, improve insulation, and manage stormwater runoff. This lowers energy costs and improves urban biodiversity.
• Energy-efficient windows use double or triple glazing, low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings, and insulated frames. This decreases heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer and cuts HVAC energy consumption.
• Biophilic design integrates natural elements like plants, water features, and natural lighting into buildings. This improves air quality and sustainability.

Sustainable operations in hotels

Low-flow fixtures are a good option to conserve water. They decrease water consumption by up to 50% and don’t compromise guest comfort. These include:

• Aerated faucets
• Dual-flush toilets
• Water-efficient shower heads

On top of that, hotels can opt to reuse water from sinks and showers for landscaping or toilet flushing through greywater recycling systems, to further increase conservation.

Laundry operations account for up to 16% of a hotel’s water use. Adopting a towel and linen reuse program to cut water and energy use can be a good way to conserve water. For example, under IHG Hotels & Resorts' "A Greener Stay" Initiative, guests who choose to forgo housekeeping services (and hence reuse towels and linens instead of daily replacements) are rewarded with additional IHG One Rewards points.

Hotels can also switch to biodegradable alternatives to align with sustainability goals whilst still meeting guest expectations for sustainability practices in the hotel. Instead of single-use plastics, opt for:

• cornstarch-based cutlery
• compostable packaging
• refillable dispensers

To reduce food waste, your hospitality business can compost scraps and partner with local shelters or food banks to safely donate surplus meals under established health regulations.

Sustainable supply chain & procurement

Prioritize the procurement of sustainably sourced vegetables, seafood, coffee, and meat to serve eco-friendly options in hotel restaurants, buffets, and dining facilities. Select certified sustainable suppliers for partnership, such as:

• MSC (Marine Stewardship Council for seafood)
• Rainforest Alliance for coffee
• USDA Organic for meat

This leads to ethical fishing, deforestation-free coffee production, and humane livestock farming, helping protect ecosystems and biodiversity while reducing the carbon footprint of hotels.

 Collaborate with local and organic farmers through direct sourcing or farm-to-table programs for fresher, high-quality ingredients. This decreases transportation emissions and supports community economies. Consequently, food quality improves and supply chain disruptions decrease.

A bonus benefit: when your guests get fresher, seasonal, and chemical-free produce, your hospitality business aligns with eco-conscious consumer preferences.

Guest education & engagement

80% of travelers say that sustainable traveling is important to them. So, encouraging your hotel guests to participate in your sustainability efforts should be met positively.

• Place informative signage in bathrooms, explaining the environmental benefits.
• Offer small incentives like discounts on spa services or reward points

 Moreover, give your guests carbon offset options. Partner with verified carbon offset programs that allow them to contribute a small fee during booking to:

• support reforestation
• renewable energy
• conservation projects

Switch to digital key cards. Instead of traditional plastic key cards, integrate mobile check-in systems through your hotel’s app. This decreases plastic waste by eliminating the need for disposable key cards, which often end up in landfills.

Also, digital access systems can integrate with smart room controls, ensuring lights, air conditioning, and other appliances turn off when guests leave, further cutting down on unnecessary energy use.

Examples of eco-friendly hotels in Singapore

Let’s look at inspiring sustainable hotels from the hospitality industry. The following hotels truly show the importance of sustainability in the hotel industry. Let's see how they balance luxury with eco-conscious operations.

Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay

Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, Singapore, achieved three prestigious certifications in 2024: the BCA Green Mark Super Low Energy (SLE) Certification, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Certification, and the Green Globe Certification.

The hotel integrates eco-friendly initiatives like solar panels, LED lighting, motion sensors, an in-house Urban Farm, and filtered water systems to decrease single-use plastics. The biophilic design featuring over 2,400 plants offers an immersive green experience while committing to energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable dining practices.

Marina Bay Sands

Since 2014, Marina Bay Sands has cut its carbon footprint by 24.4% with smart tech to optimize energy use. Solar panels, water-saving innovations like the Rain Oculus, and waste reduction initiatives improve efficiency.

 The hotel sources sustainable food, promotes biodiversity conservation for a sustainable future, and engages guests in eco-friendly efforts. With prestigious certifications like LEED® Platinum and ISO 20121, it sets industry benchmarks for green hospitality.

Responsible sourcing and sustainability advocacy help Marina Bay Sands ensure luxury experiences while championing environmental responsibility for a greener future.

Grand Hyatt

Since 2002, the Grand Hyatt Singapore has been decreasing waste, water, and carbon emissions. It runs on 100% renewable electricity and tracks sustainability metrics via Hyatt EcoTrack. It decreases food waste through tech solutions, repurposes excess food, and recycles used bar soaps to donate to underprivileged communities.

 In-house water bottling, reusable gifts, and biodegradable packaging tackle plastic waste. Sustainable dining is a priority, with 80% certified sustainable seafood and locally sourced produce. Rooftop gardens supply fresh herbs. Plus, the hotel serves zero-waste dishes.

In summary, hotels must focus on reducing emissions, conserving resources, and adopting green innovations. Solutions like smart technology, sustainable design, and responsible procurement can help your hotels and restaurants meet net-zero targets.

Track your hotel’s carbon footprint and ESG metrics effortlessly with Zuno Carbon. Reduce manual data collection and understand emission trends and hotspots so you can take targeted action. Book a demo today and take the first step toward a greener, more profitable future!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the challenges of sustainability in the hotel industry?

• The usage of a lot of electricity and water for heating, cooling, and daily operations
• Large amounts of unused food ending up in landfills
• Wasteful habits of guests, like leaving lights on or not reusing towels.
• Complex sustainability rules and regulations
• Green solutions that are expensive for smaller hotels

What can hotels do to be sustainable?

Hotels can do the following to be sustainable:

• Use solar panels and energy-efficient appliances to reduce electricity consumption.
• Cut down on waste by donating extra food and using biodegradable packaging.
• Track carbon emissions and ESG metrics to help make better sustainability decisions.
• Train staff and educate guests about eco-friendly sustainability practices in hotels, like reusing towels or avoiding single-use plastics.