Iberostar Group, an international leader in responsible tourism, today published its Wave of Change 2022 Annual Summary to outline progress in its sustainability efforts. Among its achievements, Iberostar reduced its carbon footprint by 10% in 2022, which is equivalent to 24,500 tons of CO2 emissions.
“Our progress towards achieving our 2030 Agenda is evidence of our commitment to real and tangible change in the way we understand and enjoy tourism.”
In addition to the 2022 results, the report includes some of the company's most ambitious plans for 2023, including supporting a circular economy, promoting the consumption of responsibly sourced seafood, and improving coastal health for seafarers. ecosystems that surround their hotels.
“The 2022 results are proof of our commitment to responsible tourism, generating value in our operations while maintaining quality and customer service, a commitment that is proving to be profitable,” said Gloria Fluxà, Vice President and Director of Group Sustainability. iberostar. “Our progress towards achieving our 2030 Agenda is evidence of our commitment to real and tangible change in the way we understand and enjoy tourism.”
Less emissions and less food waste
In 2022, Iberostar achieved a reduction in its carbon footprint, in part, as a result of obtaining 100% of its energy from renewable sources in its hotels in Spain. Additionally, the electrification of its three hotels in Montenegro and the reduction of energy consumption by five percent (equivalent to the average energy consumption of 5,460 Spanish homes in one year) also contributed to the reduction.
Likewise, the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in 20 of its kitchen hotels allowed Iberostar to avoid 213 tons of food waste in the last year —equivalent to 533,000 meals— reducing 916 tons of CO2. The system will be installed in all the Group's hotels before the end of the year.
The reported progress is a step forward in the Iberostar Group's strategy to become carbon neutral by 2030. This is being achieved by reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 85%, and Scope 3 by 50%. The decarbonization roadmap presented in 2022, supported by the Science-based Targets Initiative, addresses emissions to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius until 2050. Iberostar's global goal will be 20 years ahead of the industry as a result of these efforts.
Exceeding 78% responsibly-sourced fish globally
One of Iberostar's key goals is to have 100% responsibly-sourced seafood in its hotels by 2025. By 2022, the company sourced all responsibly-sourced seafood in Mexico. In Spain, Iberostar has already exceeded 90% of fish from sustainable sources, surpassing the global level of 78% (in terms of fish traceability).
Iberostar has also implemented several projects to support fishing communities in their destinations and is working to extend these initiatives to more communities. It currently has projects in Spain, Mexico, Peru and Brazil.
Conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems
Iberostar is committed to improving the health of the ecosystems surrounding its hotels by 2030. To ensure success, the company has hired a scientific team to study and care for these ecosystems.
So far, Iberostar has three mangrove nurseries with more than 14,400 mangroves in the Dominican Republic, four coastal dune nurseries in Mexico with 9,000 plants and has already launched its fifth coral nursery in Mexico.