Marriott International has submitted its letter to the Science Based Targets initiative, committing to set science-based emissions reduction targets across all scopes, in line with 1.5°C emissions scenarios; and set a long-term science-based target to reach net-zero value chain greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by no later than 2050.
As part of its commitment to net-zero emissions, with support from a number of organizations including Global Citizen, Marriott has joined the “Race to Zero,” a global campaign rallying companies, cities, regions and financial and educational institutions, to reach net-zero value chain greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Participants are committed to the same overarching goal: Reducing emissions across all scopes swiftly and fairly in line with the Paris Agreement, with transparent action plans and near-term targets.
Marriott International’s portfolio of hotels has been working to reduce its carbon footprint as part of its existing 2025 sustainability goals and this latest commitment is the next step in the company’s sustainability journey. Achieving these new targets will require partnering with Marriott’s associates across disciplines along with the company’s hotel owners and franchisees.
Over time, initiatives may include increased use of renewable energy, building electrification to maximize renewable electricity, continued modifications to design standards so buildings are more efficient, and the installation of automation systems and energy efficiency upgrades (for example, smart thermostats). In addition to the company’s goal to provide further visibility to the carbon footprint and environmental impact of their travel with Marriott, guests and customers will see enhanced focus on existing sustainability efforts such as solid waste and food waste reduction and natural capital restoration, with the opportunity to participate in activities such as reforestation as well as coral and mangrove plantings.
In support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this announcement aligns with the company’s sustainability and social impact platform, “Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction,” which guides Marriott’s commitment to help tackle social, environmental and economic issues, delivering value for associates, customers, owners, communities and the environment. It also builds on Marriott’s long-standing history of embedding sustainability throughout its business strategy, operations and value chain.
Marriott’s sustainability strategy is driven by a range of initiatives to reduce environmental impacts through the construction and operation of sustainable hotels and responsible sourcing while protecting and restoring the existing ecosystems.
The brand’s recent initiatives include phasing out single-use plastics, including replacing single-use toiletry bottles of shampoo, conditioner and bath gel in guestroom showers with larger pump-topped bottles. When fully implemented across the globe in 2022, the company’s expanded toiletry program is expected to prevent about 500 million tiny bottles annually from going to landfills.
The company's internal food waste prevention and reduction educational campaign is designed to support Marriott’s goal to reduce food waste by 50 percent, while the launch of a publicly available responsible sourcing guide is aimed to help Marriott’s supplier community join its sustainability journey on the path to responsibly sourcing 95 percent of the company’s top 10 priority categories. Another Marriott initiative is the development of a certifications database to help properties operate more responsibly and work toward the goal of 100 percent of the portfolio receiving a third-party sustainability certification.
The company has also planted more than 415,000 trees over the past several years, including through its work as a founding member of the Evergreen Alliance, a select group of Arbor Day Foundation partners and collaborators committed to advancing trees and forests as natural solutions for corporate sustainability and citizenship goals.
For more information, visit www.marriott.com.
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