UK: The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA) and the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) have partnered to enhance the sustainability of new and existing hotels.
SHA and UKGBC will collaborate on research, data sharing, and roll out pilot initiatives across hospitality businesses – all with a view to standardise the industry’s efforts of decarbonising existing buildings.
The partnership follows estimations that by 2050, 80 per cent of operational buildings will have already been built. Given that the UK aims to reach net zero by the same year, minimising construction and operational emissions is necessary to deliver on that goal.
Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of SHA, said: “While a lot of focus is given to reducing our annual operational carbon emissions, it can be easy to overlook the impact our properties have on climate change. Through this partnership we are aiming to increase understanding within the hospitality sector, and encourage the industry to grow sustainably as well as putting sustainability at the heart of all retrofits and refurbishments.”
Mike Clarke, director of membership at UKGBC, said: “Decarbonising the built environment is one of the biggest climate challenges facing the UK and indeed the world. Delivering on our net zero targets will require fundamentally changing the way we construct, operate and de-construct our built assets, including those within hospitality.
“UKGBC is delighted to announce our partnership with SHA and we look forward to learning from their sector expertise, as we work together to drive a more sustainability and resilient built environment.”
UKGBC is a charity with over 700 member organisations all working towards transforming the built environment, including the way it is planned, designed, constructed, maintained, repurposed and operated.
