Radisson Hotel Group’s award-winning Responsible Business program saw an exceptional 2023. The Group made significant progress on its Net Zero by 2050 transition, achieved important milestones in employee engagement and diversity, and continued to look beyond its borders to convene the hospitality industry in meeting consumers’ growing demand for green travel.

The release of Radisson Hotel Group’s Responsible Business Report 2023 marks the 35th anniversary of the Group’s first pioneering environmental policy – the first ever in the industry. The 2023 report outlines key initiatives and milestones the Group achieved throughout the last year in the areas of Think People, Think Planet, and Think Community and the progress in its transformation to become Net Zero by 2050.

As a global Responsible Business Leader, the Group continues to transform its hotels and processes to be more sustainable and meet consumers’ growing demand for green travel, including the rollout of Hotel Sustainability Basics (HSB).

Following the approval of its near-term science-based carbon emission reduction targets for 2030 by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), the Group received validation of its Net Zero science-based targets, aligning company targets with the private sector’s contribution to worldwide COP21 climate goals. This validation supports Radisson Hotel Group’s vision to decouple carbon emissions from business growth, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46 per cent by 2030, and progress towards Net Zero by 2050. The Group’s efforts have yielded significant results, with a notable 35 per cent reduction in carbon footprint per square meter since 2019. The Group’s carbon footprint emission results were verified by TÜV Rheinland, including the assessment of evidence relevant to the voluntary reporting of emission information on a sample basis.

A key priority for Radisson Hotel Group remains looking beyond its company borders to play a bigger role in the hospitality industry by encouraging hotels and travellers worldwide on their sustainability journey. As a leading supporter of the cross-industry Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality and the Hotel Sustainability Basics, a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration, and an advocate of the Nature Positive vision for the hospitality industry, Radisson Hotel Group is placed amongst the leading companies driving the hospitality industry’s sustainability transformation. 

Radisson Hotel Group is fully committed to implementing trusted sustainability labels in all its hotels and is proceeding with the rollout of the Hotel Sustainability Basics (HSB). Currently, 50 per cent of the Group’s hotels are in the process of verification, and 179 are fully HSB verified, whereas another 165 hotels are certified with an eco-label.

“Sustainability is a core part of our Strategic 5-year Plan and is closely connected to other key initiatives, driving our vision as a meaningful brand for guests, owners, and talent. We continue to invest in ESG and focus on cost efficiencies and the revenue opportunities of being a responsible business. Together with key stakeholders and associations, we believe in driving and growing sustainable travel and making sustainability an intrinsic part of our 10 leading brands,” says Federico J. González, Executive Vice Chairman, Radisson Hotel Group.

Key achievements

Think People  As a diverse and inclusive employer, Radisson Hotel Group offers meaningful career moments and advancement to inspire team members and help them grow professionally and personally. In 2023, team members participated in more than 1.5M hours of training and development. For the third consecutive year, the Group was recognised by Forbes Magazine as one of the World’s Best Employers in the Travel and Leisure industry. Additional key Think People highlights include:

  • 83 per cent Radisson Listens overall team member engagement score.
  • 32 per cent of women in leadership positions.
  • 8th slavery and human trafficking statement issued.
  • 188 hotels certified by Safehotels.

Think Community  Radisson Hotel Group partners with multiple organisations to give back to the local communities where it operates. The Group’s long-standing partnerships with global organisations like SOS Children’s Villages International and Just a Drop have transformed thousands of people’s day-to-day lives around the world. Additional key Think Community highlights include:

  • 36,700 volunteer hours from corporate office and hotel team members.
  • 29,500 people were provided with safe drinking water for life through the Group’s towel re-use and green housekeeping programs.
  • 1.3 million donated in cash and in-kind by corporate offices and hotels to nonprofit organisations.
  • €670,000+ donated in cash to SOS Children’s Villages since the start of the partnership.

Think Planet  Aligned with its commitment to Net Zero by 2050, Radisson Hotel Group continues implementing concrete action towards net zero, biodiversity protection, and an equitable world. Additional key Think Planet highlights and results from 2023 include:

  • 35 per cent reduction in carbon footprint per square meter since 2019.
  • 67 hotels use 100 per cent renewable electricity, and significant progress was made in activating the company’s renewable energy strategy.
  • All meetings are fully carbon compensated, having offset 87,000 tons of carbon since 2019.
  • 970 electric car charging stations groupwide.

Read the full Responsible Business 2023 report here.