Marriott International, Inc. has confirmed its near- and long-term science-based carbon reduction targets through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). SBTi is a global climate action organization that creates tools that enable businesses to set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets using data-driven approach. Marriott is the largest worldwide hospitality organization to have received clearance for both short- and long-term science-based goals.
The corporation has pledged to reducing absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 46.2% by 2030, starting with the 2019 base year. Marriott also pledges to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from fuel and energy-related activities, waste generated in operations, employee commuting, and franchises by 27.5% by 2030 compared to a 2019 baseline year, and to have science-based targets in place for 22% of its suppliers by 2028 in terms of purchased goods and services, capital goods, and upstream transportation and distribution.
Marriott pledges to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050, with a 90% reduction in absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions from a 2019 baseline year and a 90% reduction in absolute scope 3 GHG emissions. The goal boundary includes land-related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks.
“For nearly a century, Marriott has been committed to our core value of serving our world as we strive to be a force for good wherever we do business,” said Anthony Capuano, President and CEO of Marriott International.
He added that the effects of climate change are being seen and felt all across the world. “As we continue to connect people through the power of travel, we are committed to driving meaningful improvements to the environment and are energized by reaching this significant milestone. The approval of our near-term and long-term targets is the result of the hard work and dedication of Marriott’s teams around the world who are committed to our climate action journey and creating the future of sustainable hospitality.”
“Marriott has been on a journey to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our operations and supply chain. We believe it’s good business and good for the planet,” said Erika Alexander, Chief Global Operations Officer, Marriott International. “The decarbonization of the global electrical grid is a vital component of reducing GHG emissions. We are united with other leading companies in elevating efforts to help address the effects of climate change and hold ourselves accountable as we embed sustainability throughout our operations.”
To achieve its net-zero goal, Marriott is focusing its efforts in three areas: energy reduction, sourcing more renewable energy, and procuring commodities with lower carbon footprints throughout its network of approximately 8,800 properties in 139 countries and territories.
The company’s recent sustainability accomplishments include the launch of the Climate Action Program (CAP), which aims to build climate literacy, address climate risk, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the firm.
– Providing property-specific carbon and energy reduction targets to all managed and franchised hotels worldwide.
– Improving the Marriott Environment Sustainability Hub (MESH), a global platform that allows properties to track monthly power, water, and waste metrics. With these additions, properties may now readily obtain tailored, property-specific information for lowering energy and carbon emissions.
– Introducing the Energy Optimization Program to assist properties in managing rising energy bills. The program supports properties in undertaking an energy audit to discover opportunities for increased energy efficiency.
– Working with suppliers to understand and reduce their emissions.
– Providing sustainability information, such as individual hotel carbon footprint data, on Marriott.com.
Marriott’s sustainability strategy is focused on a wide range of tactics, including designing resource-efficient hotels, implementing technologies to track and reduce energy and water consumption, as well as waste and food waste, increasing the use of renewable energy, managing water-related risks, focusing on third-party sustainability certifications at the hotel-level, supporting innovative ecosystem restoration initiatives, and implementing responsible and local sourcing. In support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Marriott developed its Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction platform, which guides the company’s efforts to make a positive and long-term impact on the world’s most pressing social, environmental, and economic issues wherever it does business. More information on Serve 360 can be found at Marriott.com/Serve360.