Hotel carbon emissions five times higher than thought, Bob W finds

Hotel carbon emissions are at least five times higher than previously thought, according to new research by short-stay group Bob W. 

Lodging Emissions and Guest-night Impact Tracker (LEGIT), a new tool developed by the tech-powered hospitality operator and environmental consultancy Furthr, gives guests complete environmental impact metrics for each of its room-types in every property. 

Bob W’s LEGIT builds on existing frameworks for assessing hotel carbon footprints, such as the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance’s Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative (HCMI), as detailed in the company’s latest Sustainability Report.

The HCMI standard for per night emissions includes electricity, gas, refrigerant gases and laundry services, and is used by more than 30,000 hospitality operators including Hyatt, Marriott International and Scandic.  

LEGIT takes additional factors into consideration, including the environmental impact of construction materials, cleaning services, toiletries, food and drink consumables, waste and water and furnishings.

While HCMI has been widely praised for helping operators measure carbon, Niko Karstikko, Bob W’s co-founder and CEO, wants operators to “go further” by using more comprehensive measurement standards and is calling for greater transparency in sharing environmental performance to both guests and the wider industry. 

When applied to Bob W’s portfolio, the new methodology calculated an average carbon footprint 419% higher than the HCMI estimate – a five-fold increase. This difference was driven by the inclusion of significantly more supplier-contributed indirect emissions.

Key factors like room rates and amenities have long played a pivotal role in guiding guest decisions when browsing property listings. By incorporating LEGIT per guest night emissions metrics into each of its property listings, guests are empowered to make informed and sustainable choices about their accommodation.

Karstikko said: “The emerging generation of travellers demands more transparency and is tired of greenwashing. The lodging industry owes it to its guests to give the numbers upfront and our aim is to make per-night guest emissions as prominent as nutrition facts on the back of a cereal packet.

“The disparity between our new methodology and others raises critical questions about the effectiveness of current sustainability strategies within the sector. Many operators could well be falling shorter than they realise in addressing the full scope of their emissions, especially indirect sources.” 

He added: “Among the pool of big, big hotel and hospitality players, we’re a relatively small challenger brand. So, if we are able to identify and measure our actual impact on the planet, then so too can others.

“We may not have all the answers, but we remain committed to being the most honest operator in the industry and are working hard to empower our guests to make informed decisions. We’re eager to hear feedback from other operators about our new LEGIT methodology and invite open dialogue to refine and enhance it together. Collaboration is key to evolving this initiative into something truly impactful for the entire industry.”

Paul Dunca, chief operating officer at Furthr, said: “By adopting advanced measurement methods, the industry can develop a fuller, more accurate picture of its environmental impact, and then take meaningful steps towards achieving its sustainability goals.”

“It’s rare to see a team like Bob W’s. They already had sustainability baked into their ethos, and now they’ve taken it to the next level by formalising their net zero strategy. We worked closely with them to push for better data accuracy, streamline reporting, and align with the highest standards, giving them a clear foundation to achieve their bold vision.”