UK: BWH Hotels will launch a carbon calculator for its UK properties in March with Scope 3 measurements included.
BWH Hotels GB’s portfolio of around 250 hoteliers are all independently owned and operated, as are the 4000+ properties globally in the group.
The carbon calculator is a BWH Hotels GB initiative for all GB hotels in the brand to be able to access in 2025.
The launch of the carbon calculator comes after the group conducted a survey of nearly 1,200 BWH Reward guests, which revealed how important staying in a sustainable hotel is for respondents.
According to the results 67 per cent of said sustainability matters so much guests will pay more for a hotel with strong green credentials.
The survey also found sustainability is shaping guest booking decisions, with 88 per cent saying a hotel’s eco-efforts influence their choice.
Tracy Wilkins, operations director at BWH Hotels, said: “We know guests are happy to pay more if they know food is locally sourced or that the hotel is supporting wildlife with nearly a quarter (23 per cent) willing to pay ‘moderately more’ to stay somewhere that is genuinely making an effort.
“Our carbon calculator simplifies sustainability for busy hoteliers, giving them practical, cost-effective solutions in minutes – whether it’s sourcing locally or adjusting energy usage to reduce carbon emissions.”
The new carbon calculator is for guests to see their carbon footprint and for hoteliers to see what more needs to be done to achieve targets.
Developed in partnership with Zero Carbon Forum, the tool will incorporate COP29 updates and KPIs, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 81 per cent by 2035.
The calculator covers Scope 1, 2, and importantly, Scope 3 emissions across key categories, including purchased goods and services, capital goods, and staff commuting.
The Scope 3 metric is key here. We recently reported on Bob W launching its carbon calculator method, which includes Scope 3 emissions and is according to Bob W, “more accurate” than the HCMI method used by members of the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. See below for more on that.
Mark Chapman, CEO and founder, Zero Carbon Forum said: “With Scope 3 typically accounting for more than two-thirds of a hotel’s total footprint – and purchased goods and services (mainly food) making up more than 50 per cent – our approach provides a complete and accurate picture. By including these critical areas, we help hotels identify their biggest impact points and take meaningful action toward reducing emissions and achieving net zero.”
We asked Chapman about alignment on how carbon emissions are measured across the sector. Chapman said: “We celebrate all efforts at helping hospitality operators hit net zero as quickly as possible. With alignment in mind, we have added calculations for the metrics referred to in HCMI as part of the project.”
Tracy Wilkins operations director at BWH Hotels GB said: “At BWH Hotels GB, we know that guests are increasingly seeking authentic and real-life examples of sustainability in action, as well as more generalist brand claims. Achieving a generalised view on a national or global industry level on sustainability is therefore challenging to make it also meaningful.
“Here at BWH Hotels, our focus for our network of independent is a tailored approach rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. Our commitment is to provide an authentic and fit-for-purpose approach to sustainability, ensuring that each hotel can effectively meet the unique needs and expectations of their guests. The Carbon Calculator, and REST accreditation scheme for hoteliers allows us to do this, by robust and effective measurement, to effect a change in the parts of the business that need it most.”
The carbon calculator will launch early March and be available to all UK hoteliers under the BWH Hotels GB umbrella.
Bob W unveils “more accurate” carbon emissions measurement methodology
Photo by BWH Hotels GB