InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), has published an update on progress against its 2013-2017 Corporate Responsibility (CR) targets.
Announced in September 2013 to reinforce IHG’s long-term commitment to doing business responsibly, the targets were designed to measure its impact where it has the most influence on improving people’s lives – the environment and local communities. IHG’s progress against its targets has been driven through IHG’s three core CR programmes – IHG Green Engage system; IHG Academy and IHG Shelter in a Storm.
Richard Solomons, Chief Executive of IHG commented:“At IHG we have the global scale to be able to make a positive impact on the world around us. Doing the right thing for the environment and in the local communities where we operate remains central to our business. We are proud of the progress we have delivered on our CR targets and are ambitious about what we can achieve in the future.”
Environmental Sustainability
IHG’s group-wide online sustainability system, IHG Green Engage, helps it to address issues such as climate change, water scarcity and environmental degradation. It allows hotels to measure and report on their carbon footprint and utility consumption, recommending more than 200 ‘Green Solutions’ to help hotels deliver greater sustainability. The system also enables hotels to create environmental action plans and targets, and generates energy savings of up to 25% for the average hotel.
2013 – 2017 Targets
- Reduce carbon footprint per occupied room by 12%
- Reduce water use per occupied room in water-stressed areas by 12%
Key Achievements in 2014
- IHG Green Engage announced as a brand standard, with IHG’s entire estate now enrolled in the system – a powerful demonstration of IHG’s commitment to protecting the environment
- Over 20,000 Green Solutions implemented through the IHG Green Engage system; nearly 75,000 since its launch
- A 3% reduction in carbon footprint per occupied room; 23% of 2013-17 target now complete
- A 4.2% reduction in water use per occupied room in water-stressed areas; 37% of 2013-17 now complete
Sustainable Communities
Recognising the close links between IHG’s success and the wellbeing of those who work in and around its hotels, IHG continues to make a positive difference in local communities. It creates real-life career-building experiences though IHG Academy and offers relief to colleagues and local communities affected by disasters, with IHG Shelter in a Storm.
2013 – 2017 Targets
- Provide skills and improved employability to 20,000 people via IHG Academy
- Contribute $10 million to communities through monetary donations and in-kind support including through IHG Shelter in a Storm
Key Achievements in 2014
- Doubled number of IHG Academy programmes to over 600 in nearly 60 countries during 2014
- Nearly 7,000 people globally benefited from participating in IHG Academy programmes; more than 13,000 since 2013 – 65% of 2013-17 target complete
- Responded to 18 disasters in 9 countries through IHG Shelter in a Storm in 2014
- Contributed $6.2 million to communities in 2014; $8.1 million since 2013 – 81% of 2013-17 target complete
IHG’s 2014 Responsible Business Report is available online here
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