By HTN staff writers – 4.22.2025
As Earth Day 2025 arrives, the hospitality industry is showcasing a growing commitment to environmental responsibility. From smart energy systems to AI-driven food waste reduction, hotels and resorts around the world are increasingly leveraging technology to reduce their environmental impact. While these initiatives mark meaningful progress, challenges remain—and much more needs to be done to achieve the sector’s full sustainability potential.
Energy consumption continues to be one of the biggest contributors to a hotel’s environmental footprint. Many properties have adopted advanced energy management systems that use occupancy sensors, machine learning, and real-time data analytics to control HVAC and lighting usage more precisely. These systems not only reduce electricity bills but can cut energy usage by a significant margin. Examples include hotels implementing regenerative elevators that feed energy back into the grid, and rooftop solar arrays used for water heating and electricity generation. Major hotel brands have deployed intelligent building management systems from vendors like Honeywell, Schneider Electric, and Enseo that optimize settings in real time. Smart thermostats, motion-activated lighting, and cloud-based monitoring platforms are increasingly standard in modern hotel operations.
Water conservation is also benefiting from tech-based solutions. In addition to low-flow fixtures, hotels are deploying real-time water monitoring tools and leak detection systems powered by IoT sensors. Some properties have installed greywater recycling systems, which treat and reuse wastewater from sinks and showers for non-potable applications like flushing toilets and irrigation. At Can Buch Hotel in Spain, over half of the property’s water use is sourced from harvested rainwater. The hotel also uses a natural plant filtration system to recycle 100% of its wastewater. In larger resorts, digital water logs monitor consumption across pools, spas, and guestrooms, allowing for quick identification of leaks or inefficient equipment. Smart irrigation systems are now in place at many resort properties, adjusting watering schedules based on soil moisture sensors and weather forecasts to avoid unnecessary water use.
Food and material waste reduction is another area where digital tools are making a measurable impact. AI-powered platforms like Winnow help hotel kitchens analyze food waste in real time and adjust purchasing and portion sizes accordingly. Marriott Hotels in parts of Europe have used Winnow’s systems to cut food waste by up to 25%, with goals to reduce it further. Inventory tracking, smart labeling, and surplus donation programs are becoming more common. Hotels are also eliminating single-use plastics, introducing refillable toiletry dispensers, and replacing printed in-room materials with digital tablets and QR code menus. On-site biodigesters and composting programs help manage unavoidable food waste more sustainably. Hotels like Six Senses and 1 Hotels have implemented full-scale zero-waste programs that include waste sorting stations, reusable service ware, and strict procurement policies to minimize packaging waste.
While renewable energy adoption is growing, it remains limited in scope. A number of properties have made significant investments in on-site solar or wind energy systems. Six Senses Southern Dunes in Saudi Arabia, for instance, runs entirely on solar power. Can Buch Hotel in Spain operates off-grid thanks to a large solar array. In urban settings, many hotels purchase renewable energy from certified providers or use smaller installations like solar pool heaters. Some hotels also use energy storage systems to store surplus power or reduce reliance on the grid during peak hours. However, cost and space constraints continue to limit wider adoption, particularly among older or independently operated properties. Larger hotel groups are also entering into power purchase agreements to secure renewable energy credits that align with sustainability goals.
Guest engagement is increasingly being addressed through digital platforms. In-room tablets and mobile apps allow guests to control lights, temperature, and housekeeping preferences, encouraging more sustainable behavior. Some hotels offer loyalty points or donations to environmental charities as incentives for opting out of daily housekeeping. Others provide real-time data on a room’s energy or water consumption to promote awareness. Hotels are also incorporating sustainability messaging into digital directories and concierge apps, with suggestions for local eco-tours or volunteering opportunities. Properties like Accor’s Pullman and Mövenpick brands are using gamification features to reward guests for sustainable choices during their stay.
Several industry organizations and certification bodies are playing a key role in supporting these efforts. The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) launched the Responsible Stay initiative to guide hotels in reducing their environmental footprint through actionable standards in energy, water, and waste management. Certification programs such as Green Key Global, Green Globe, and EarthCheck provide hotels with structured frameworks to benchmark and improve their sustainability practices. These certifications not only encourage continuous improvement but also offer a layer of credibility for eco-conscious guests. The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance also supports operators with training and benchmarking tools aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Despite this progress, the path to sustainability in hospitality remains uneven. Smaller and independent properties often lack the resources to invest in high-tech solutions. Even among large brands, implementation can vary significantly by region or ownership structure. The absence of unified global standards makes it difficult to compare progress or define best practices across the sector.
Looking ahead, continued investment in integrated strategies that combine energy, water, waste, and guest engagement will be essential. Technology will remain a powerful enabler, but the commitment must go deeper. For hotels and resorts aiming to operate more sustainably, success will depend not only on the tools they adopt but on the long-term values they embrace. Earth Day serves as a timely reminder that while much has been achieved, the work of building a more sustainable hospitality industry is still very much in progress.
