Accor and Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotels have entered into a strategic agreement to develop more sustainable practices within the hospitality industry and reduce the sector’s carbon emissions.
The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the fifth meeting of the Council of China-France Entrepreneurs, which was held in Beijing on April 6. The MOU’s term ends in 2033.
In the MOU, both companies have expressed their desire to cap carbon emissions by 2030 and try to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. The groups have been tasked with developing and defining an ESG measurement framework for the hotel industry, including a baseline and objectives adapted to the sector’s specificities.
The two parties will also partner on the definition of new industry standards to make guest rooms more eco-responsible and reduce food waste, study the opportunities presented by sustainable financing and launch a global training program for their respective teams.
Regarding food waste generated in every stage, the parties target reducing food waste by 30% by 2030, beginning with procurement and continuing through guest services and the guest’s stay.
“We are proud to enter this strategic partnership with Jin Jiang Hotels. Jin Jiang Hotels plays a key role in China, and we are confident that, together, we will be able to deliver critical practices that alleviate the burden on the planet without compromising the magic of the guest experience,” said Gary Rosen, CEO, Accor Greater China. “Accor is committed to constant innovation and being a net contributor within the communities we exist. Climate action lies at the core of our hospitality vision and business model, and we are excited about the possibilities this partnership will deliver”.
Accor and Jin Jiang Hotels will also explore design to make rooms more sustainable to lower carbon emissions related to the construction and operation of hotels without compromising on the guest experience. The parties will also aim to reduce utility costs, such as electricity and water, by 10% across both groups by 2030.
The parties believe that setting new ESG standards in the hotel industry will contribute to China’s broader attempts to reduce its carbon footprint and progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Accor and Jin Jiang will introduce the School for Change training program at all the headquarters and hotel levels. The program was first launched at Accor headquarters to raise employees’ awareness of sustainable development changes. As part of the collaboration, employees of both partners will get access to a content platform and training path focused on the basics of climate change and enhance their understanding of the causes and impact on biodiversity and communities that promote the sharing of solutions and create positive changes across all levels.
The MOU will assess and explore potential business cooperation opportunities in sustainable finance. The parties aim to develop using sustainable finance as a transformative tool. This involves using loans and green financing to establish a direct link between the financial terms of their credits and pre-determined sustainability goals and criteria.
“The hospitality industry stands as one of the most vibrant and far-reaching economic sectors across the globe, and this is especially true in China, where it holds the potential to make a significant impact on the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” said Shirley Shen, CEO, Jin Jiang Hotels. “As leading hotel groups in the industry, both Jin Jiang Hotels and Accor are committed to sending a clear and powerful message to the wider sector. We call upon our peers to champion responsible business practices within the hospitality industry, and we are determined to inspire leadership and engage industry stakeholders in collaborative efforts. Together, we will drive our sector’s contribution to sustainable development goals, with a particular focus on reducing carbon emissions as part of the ESG targets.”