by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:25 AM ET, Mon April 22, 2024
Marriott International became the largest global hospitality company to receive approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for both its near-term and long-term greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets this week.
It’s committed to reducing absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 46.2 percent by 2030. Scope 1 emissions refer to those directly produced by Marriott, such as furnace use. Scope 2 emissions refer to those produced by its energy usage, such as electricity in hotels.
Marriott will also reduce its scope 3 emissions, which are produced by waste, employee commuting and more by 27.5 percent by 2030.
All of these goals coincide with the corporation’s larger goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2050. Many of its efforts at achieving this goal span across three main areas: energy reduction, renewable energy production and purchasing goods with lower carbon footprints.
“For nearly a century, Marriott has been committed to our core value of serving our world as we strive to be a force for good wherever we do business,” said Anthony Capuano, President and CEO, Marriott International.
“The impact of climate change is being seen and felt across the globe. As we continue to connect people through the power of travel, we are committed to driving meaningful improvements to the environment and are energized by reaching this significant milestone,” Capuano continued. “The approval of our near-term and long-term targets is the result of the hard work and dedication of Marriott’s teams around the world who are committed to our climate action journey and creating the future of sustainable hospitality.”
Marriott has launched several programs and initiatives to help with the transition to net zero, and to follow the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It launched the Climate Action Program, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, providing property-specific carbon and energy reduction targets to every hotel worldwide and improving the Marriott Environment Sustainability Hub, where a hotel’s monthly power, water and waste metrics can be logged and analyzed.
The approval by SBTi is a big step for one of the largest hospitality companies in the world, and is especially crucial as Marriott aims to continue its record-breaking growth.
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