IHG to open its first net zero carbon hotel in the U.K.

IHG Hotels & Resorts will open its first-ever net zero carbon hotel. The company has partnered with Zeal Hotels to unveil voco Zeal Exeter Science Park.

Slated to open in 2024 in southwest England, the 142-key hotel has been designed to adhere to the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework Definition of the UK Green Building Council, the membership-led industry network.

This follows the signing of a landmark exclusivity agreement between IHG and Zeal, which was announced in May at the International Hotel Investment Forum in Berlin.

“This agreement with Zeal follows a flurry of recent signings for IHG in the U.K., and I’m excited to see the progress we’re continuing to make with our Journey to Tomorrow 10-year responsible business plan. It also marks another milestone for conversion-friendly brand voco, which is our quickest-growing brand globally and proving a popular choice for owners around the world,” said Karin Sheppard, SVP managing director, Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts.

IHG’s Journey to Tomorrow 10-year business plan aligns with the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Committed to lowering its carbon emissions with a science-based target, IHG aims to have all its new-build hotels operate at low carbon emissions by 2030.

The lifestyle net zero carbon hotel is being constructed using passive-house principles to minimize the energy needed to run it. An air source heat pump will be the source of heating and cooling for the ground floor, while adiabatic cooling and electricity will provide heating for the upper floors.

On-site photovoltaics, both on the roof and the south, east and west facades (a first in the U.K.), will provide most of the energy needed, with renewable energy sources being used for the rest.

The hotel building will have a ‘fabric-first’ approach, and careful consideration will be given to its environmental impact. Embodied carbon from the building’s structure will be offset once the hotel opens.

“At Zeal and IHG, we want to play our part in creating a sustainable future. As we work together on this project, we are sharing our knowledge to help move our industry forwards,” said Zeal Hotels Managing Director Tim Wheeldon.

voco Zeal Exeter Science Park will be managed by Valor Hospitality and will consist of a restaurant, bar, gym, meeting areas and e-vehicle charging stations.

Located close to the Exeter Airport, the hotel will be situated within Exeter Science Park, which once complete, will comprise close to 822,000 square feet of buildings for science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine businesses.

voco has been one of the fastest-growing brands under IHG, expanding globally faster than any of the other premium brands. The brand presently has 46 open hotels worldwide and 59 properties in its pipeline. Currently, there are voco hotels across 18 countries, and its pipeline includes its debut in Belgium later this year.