Minor Hotels Europe & Americas has reached a major milestone with the validation of its net-zero emissions target for 2050 by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The group has also significantly revised its 2030 targets, setting more ambitious emissions reduction goals that will prevent the emission of more than 145,000 tonnes of CO 2 equivalent .
The validation of both targets underlines the company’s commitment to decisive climate action and aligns it with Minor Hotels’ global sustainability goals. The international hotel owner and operator, under the umbrella of its parent company Minor International, is making substantial progress towards SBTi validation through its global 2030 and 2050 targets, including a similar commitment to reach net zero emissions by mid-century.
SBTi is the global certification body for science-backed decarbonisation targets. Its validation is a mark of credibility and commitment, ensuring that companies are not only setting but also achieving significant sustainability milestones in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Updated targets for 2030 and 2050
In its updated 2030 targets, Minor Hotels Europe & Americas aims to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in absolute terms by 46.2% compared to 2019 levels. The company has also set a target of reducing its Scope 3 emissions, which covers purchased goods and services, capital equipment, fuel and energy-related activities, waste from operations, upstream leased assets and franchising, by 27.5%.
The more ambitious reduction target for 2030 extends the group's previous commitment, set in 2018, to reduce total GHG emissions by at least 20%, and will avoid the emission of 146,803 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Looking ahead to 2050, Minor Hotels Europe & Americas has committed to reducing its total Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions by 90% compared to its 2019 baseline, as well as achieving net-zero emissions across its entire value chain.
Both targets have been scientifically validated and approved by SBTi, underlining the company’s adherence to the strict criteria required to reduce GHG emissions and contribute to the fight against climate change. The new targets also align Minor Hotels Europe & Americas with the scientific values recommended for businesses in the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
To achieve these objectives, the company has created a special cross-cutting working group, SBT 2030, which is being coordinated by the entity's Sustainable Business Department and involves all key areas with the aim of achieving decarbonisation from start to finish.
Elena Ruiz, Sustainability Director for Minor Hotels Europe & Americas, said: “Aligning our regional goals with Minor International’s global objectives allows us to take a unified approach to tackling climate change – a strategic priority for all businesses and one that a hotel group of our calibre must aspire to. Our commitment is reflected in UP for Planet & People, our corporate strategic plan to ensure a sustainable business model. The fact that our new goals have been validated by SBTi is a significant milestone and brings us one step closer to achieving this shared goal of net zero emissions.”
Recognition and continued efforts
Minor Hotels Europe & Americas continues to be recognized for its sustainability initiatives, retaining the fourth position for hotels, resorts and cruise lines in the latest S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook, and has been included in the FTSE4GOOD Index every year since 2013. The company has also maintained its presence in the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index and in the CDP supplier rankings.
Through its UP for Planet initiative, Minor Hotels actively contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by implementing measures to reduce emissions, optimize energy and water consumption, and promote resource efficiency following the 4R approach (reduce, reuse, recycle, replace).
More than half (53%) of Minor’s hotel portfolio in Europe and the Americas is certified sustainable, and 66% of its electricity consumption comes from renewable sources, reaching 100% in Southern Europe. The company is further improving its sustainability footprint by offering bicycle rental services in 99 hotels, electric vehicle chargers in 72 properties and sourcing 90% from local and certified suppliers.