WORLDWIDE: Marriott International has become the largest global hospitality company to verify its near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
The SBTi is a collaboration between the CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, the We Mean Business Coalition, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
The organisation develops tools that allow businesses to set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets in line with data-driven methodology.
Marriott’s commitments include reducing absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 46.2 per cent by 2030, compared to the base year of 2019, and absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from fuel and energy-related activities, waste generated in operations, employee commuting, and franchises by 27.5 per cent by the same year.
Further ahead Marriott has committed to reach net-zero GHG emissions across the value chain by 2050, reducing absolute scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions by 90 per cent by 2050 from a 2019 base year.
To read our Focus On feature on scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, and how hotels are able to manage them, see:
In addition the group has committed to 22 per cent of its suppliers by emissions covering purchased goods and services, capital goods, and upstream transportation and distribution having science-based targets by 2028.
Marriott said it was focusing on three areas to reach its net-zero target: energy reduction, sourcing more energy from renewables, and purchasing goods with lower carbon footprints.
Recent initiatives include launching the group’s Climate Action Programme, which “charts a growth-focused future through building climate fluency, addressing climate risk, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the organisation”.
The target is part of the group’s wider sustainability and social impact platform – Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction – which was launched in 2017 and supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Marriott published its latest 2023 Serve 360 Report in July last year.
Marriott releases ESG report noting sustainable certification interest
Commenting on the news Erika Alexander, chief global operations officer, Marriott International, said:
“Marriott has been on a journey to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our operations and supply chain. We believe it’s good business and good for the planet. The decarbonization of the global electrical grid is a vital component of reducing GHG emissions.
“We are united with other leading companies in elevating efforts to help address the effects of climate change and hold ourselves accountable as we embed sustainability throughout our operations.”
Image supplied by Marriott International.