Accor China partners with hospitality association for Green Hotel Certifications

Accor Greater China has recently entered into a strategic partnership with the China Hospitality Association (CHA) to confer Green Hotel Certification upon its establishments throughout the country, aligning with national sustainability standards. This groundbreaking move positions Accor as the inaugural international hotel company in China to commit to a comprehensive sustainable certification agreement with CHA, a pact celebrated at the signing ceremony held on November 29, 2023, during the 8th China International Hotel Industry Conference in Haikou, Hainan Province.

Gary Rosen, CEO of Accor Greater China, expressed the company’s proactive stance in collaboration with partners to enhance China’s sustainability. By becoming the preferred certification partner of Accor Greater China, CHA will subject each hotel to a thorough evaluation, encompassing green operations, environmental impact, and health and safety. This evaluation will adhere to national standards and an independent review process. Furthermore, CHA will offer professional training, consultation, and guidance to Accor’s hotels, fostering continuous improvement in operational capabilities and efficiencies.

Rosen emphasized the importance of the Green Hotel Certification process, emphasizing its contribution to Accor’s long-term aspiration of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. He underscored the positive reception of these sustainability efforts by guests and Chinese travelers, aligning with the growing expectations for eco-friendly tourism.

Accor’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its partnership with CHA. Earlier this year, the company collaborated with Trip.com and McKinsey & Company to publish an educational white paper, outlining actions to support the sector’s transition to a net positive model. Additionally, Accor formed a pioneering alliance with Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotels to develop an ESG measurement framework tailored to the hotel sector, covering sustainable guest rooms, food waste reduction, sustainable finance, and employee training.

In tandem with these strategic initiatives, Accor Greater China is actively implementing measures to reduce carbon emissions at its hotels. Notably, the hotels are adopting an industry-first biodegradable solution to replace disposable plastic toiletry bottles, with ongoing efforts to identify more opportunities for plastic elimination throughout the guest experience. The reduction of food waste remains a key focus area, accompanied by initiatives to instill greater environmental sensitivity among guests and employees.

Expressing gratitude for the support from partners like CHA, Rosen affirmed Accor’s dedication to finding innovative ways to progress toward the ultimate goal of carbon neutrality in 2024. The company is fully committed to supporting its 5,500 hotels in obtaining external sustainable certifications and aims to have 100% of its network eco-certified by 2026 through a combination of global and local partnerships.

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