IHG Introduces groundbreaking Low Carbon Pioneers programme
IHG Hotels & Resorts, a global leader in hospitality, has launched its pioneering Low Carbon Pioneers programme, featuring energy-efficient hotels that operate without on-site fossil fuel combustion and are supported by renewable energy.
The initiative marks the first of its kind in the industry and aims to inspire broader adoption of carbon reduction practices across IHG’s global estate.
The inaugural group of Low Carbon Pioneer hotels includes the Holiday Inn Express Madrid Airport and Iberostar Waves Cristina in Spain, and the Kimpton BEM Budapest in Hungary.
These properties employ sustainable solutions such as high-efficiency heat pumps for heating and hot water generation, as well as fully electric kitchens. Each hotel also holds operational sustainability certifications recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, such as Green Key, or building certifications like LEED, BREEAM, or EDGE. Energy data will be meticulously tracked and measured using IHG’s Green Engage environmental platform.
Elie Maalouf, CEO of IHG Hotels & Resorts, stated,
We are excited to launch our Low Carbon Pioneers programme as another innovative way in which we’re meeting evolving guest expectations, helping our hotel owners future-proof their businesses and reducing carbon across our estate. 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 plans to expand the Low Carbon Pioneers programme to include additional hotels across all regions.
The company is also working on developing a “low-carbon ready” group of hotels to prepare for when it becomes possible to fully support all energy needs with renewables in areas where this is currently unavailable. Low carbon hotels are particularly attractive to corporate clients aiming to meet their net-zero or carbon-neutral travel commitments.
The Low Carbon Pioneers programme offers significant benefits to hotel owners, including alignment with environmental regulations, potential access to green financing, and future-proofing against regulatory changes. IHG believes these advantages will lead to stronger property valuations over time.
IHG’s commitment to sustainability is guided by its Journey to Tomorrow responsible business plan, which focuses on reducing carbon emissions and fostering a positive impact on people, communities, and the planet. This initiative builds on IHG’s history of sustainability leadership, such as replacing bathroom miniatures with bulk amenities and introducing a community solar programme in the US.
For further information on the IHG hotels in the UK or abroad, contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.
Notes for Editors:
- IHG Hotels & Resorts operates over 6,000 hotels in more than 100 countries.
- The Low Carbon Pioneers programme aligns with IHG’s broader sustainability goals and corporate social responsibility efforts.
- IHG’s Green Engage system allows hotels to measure and manage their environmental impact.
- The programme sets a new benchmark for sustainability in the hospitality industry.
For more details, visit the IHG Low Carbon Pioneers webpage.
