UK: University King’s College London and not-for profit organisation Energy & Environment Alliance have developed the Executive ESG Programme for Hospitality Leaders based on research involving 250 industry professionals.
A study conducted by King’s Business School has highlighted four key barriers to ESG progress and investment. These include:
• The proliferation of different reporting standards
• Other stakeholders’ scepticism and lack of engagement with ESG
• Concerns over the reaction of guests
• A lack of skills and knowledge both within the industry and among potential advisors
73 per cent of respondents in the survey identified reporting and benchmarking as one of the top three areas that ESG educational programmes should focus on. The full report can be downloaded here.
Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive of the Energy & Environment Alliance, said: “Leaders in the sector are well aware of the urgency of ESG questions and are clear that a common approach to tackling and reporting on ESG issues will be a major driver of change. Building a rigorous understanding of the issues and potential solutions across the industry is a critical part of that change process.”
Marc Lepere, head of ESG and sustainability for executive education, King’s Business School, added: “The common theme of our research was the desire to cut through confusion and contradiction and develop an approach to ESG that works for the sector. We are delighted to be working with the EEA on a programme that starts with education and will ultimately result in better-informed and more focused conversation and collaboration within the sector and with regulators.”
The findings of the research have informed the development of the Executive ESG Programme for Hospitality Leaders, which starts in April 2024. It is delivered part-time through live online webinars and self-paced online learning. Interactive, online sessions will be led by faculty members at King’s Business School with contributions from high profile speakers. Networking across the industry will be supported by a final in-person session at King’s central London executive education site, the EEA annual summit and regional activities.
Further details on the programme can be found here.
