Iberostar will be carbon neutral by 2030

Iberostar, an international benchmark in responsible tourism, will reduce its carbon emissions to zero by 2030, which is 20 years ahead of the global target set by the industry. The Majorcan hotel group has presented its roadmap towards decarbonisation, the most ambitious in the sector, at the 27th edition of the United Nations Conference (COP27), which is being held this year in Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt). 

Through its decarbonization strategy, Iberostar is committed to reducing absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of scope 1 and 2 by 85% by 2030 compared to the base year 2019. It is also committed to reducing absolute emissions of scope 3 GHG by 50% in the same period. Additionally, the hotel group will offset remaining emissions by relying on nature-based solutions by protecting and restoring ecosystems in all of its destinations. 

Gloria Fluxà, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer of the Iberostar Group, explains that "we continue to work for responsible tourism that generates value for people and the environment, articulating a clear strategic plan with defined lines that are part of the ambitious commitments of our own Agenda 2030. We move forward with a long-term vision, building a profitable company, a fundamental pillar of sustainability and taking into account the positive impact of our activity. We must move from commitment to implementation, and this requires bold and immediate actions like the ones we are implementing at Iberostar. Our roadmap is based on science, data and good corporate governance”. 

Participation of the Iberostar Group in the COP27

In the third edition of the COP in which Grupo Iberostar participates, representatives of the company will intervene in different panels. On the one hand, Gloria Fluxà will participate as a panelist in the conference of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), "Policies and corporate strategies scaling up climate action in tourism - the Glasgow Declaration", which will be held on November 10 at the Blue Zone at 11:30 a.m. (local time). On the other hand, the Global Director of Sustainability of the Iberostar Group, Megan Morikawa, will be one of the panelists of the "Committee on Tourism and Sustainability", on the same day 10 at 4:00 p.m. in the Green Zone. Finally, Morikawa will be part of the round table in the Food Tank panel entitled “Loss & Waste in Food Systems” on November 16 in the Blue Zone at 9:00 a.m. 

Main levers of the roadmap towards decarbonization

1. Reduction of scope 1 and 2 emissions by 85% by 2030. 

   • Reduce energy consumption by 35% with internal and customer behavior changes, through training, good energy practices, procedures and protocols towards efficiency and savings audits. 

   • Strong investment in innovative and efficient technology, with the substitution of electrical appliances, boilers, lighting and kitchens for more efficient and automated devices, regulated in some cases by artificial intelligence. 

   • Use of renewable energy in all its destinations, and with an electrification plan in its hotels, where they can dispense with fossil fuels or replace them with fuels with low emission factors. 

   • The decarbonization of 66% of Iberostar's scopes 1 and 2 will involve adding up to 220 MW of renewable energy to Iberostar destinations.

2. Reduce scope 3 emissions by 50%. One of the most novel contributions of this roadmap is the description of a complete set of scope 3 emissions, as well as a strategy to decarbonize the entire supply chain. With scope 3 accounting for 77% of Iberostar's carbon footprint, the hotel group includes 7 GHG categories (purchase of goods and services, capital goods, downstream leased assets, activities related to fuel and energy, employee travel, business and waste) that cover all material elements of their emissions. With this, Iberostar will work to: 

   • Lead the decarbonization in the purchase of goods and services, prioritizing low-emission products and services in their supply decisions, engaging with their partners in the supply chain, acting from operations in key material categories (food, water...) and injecting circularity into hotels.

   • Move towards Net Zero buildings in new constructions and renovations, maximize the efficiency of existing ones, prioritize low-emission materials in equipment and furniture investments, involve suppliers in the decarbonization process, and define and implement standards to promote decarbonization in the hotels.

   • Apply 100% of scope 1 and 2 decarbonization efforts also in downstream leased assets (such as premises within hotels), extending low-emission protocols to products and services sold by tenants and taking a further step towards encourage the presence of local communities in these spaces.

   • Promote the increase of renewable energy, electrification and minimization of fossil fuels, prioritizing and collaborating with fuel suppliers, companies and operators to modernize the network and reduce transmission and distribution losses, as well as improve data transparency.

   • Promote low-carbon mobility among employees through mobility plans in all hotels and headquarters (access to zero-emission vehicles and include mobility in the compensation package) and go further with the public administration to accelerate mobility Zero emissions in destinations (facilities, incentives...).

   • Launch of a program for employees to prioritize the use of low-emission vehicles and collaborate with companies that have ongoing decarbonization programs (airline companies, rental cars...). 

   • Continue promoting the continuous reduction of waste generated in hotels (special focus on reducing food waste), moving towards a circular model and promoting the creation of waste management capacity in destinations.