Sustainable hotels, the future of the tourism sector

Sustainability has become one of the fundamental pillars for any company or organization. But when we talk about tourism, words like energy efficiency, sustainability, or the fight against climate change are becoming increasingly important. This is due to the need to contribute with measures across all sectors and areas of action to mitigate the threat posed by the climate emergency. As indicated by data from the World Tourism Organization, this sector contributes approximately 5% of total CO₂ emissions caused by humans. And although the largest component is mainly transport at 75%, accommodation also leaves a 21% carbon footprint. With this data on the table, the sector needs to reinvent itself to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the criteria stipulated in the Paris Agreement to keep global warming below 2°C. In this vein, ‘The International Tourism Partnership (ITP)’, an entity that brings together 30,000 hotel companies worldwide, estimates that the industry must reduce its carbon emissions by 66% by 2030 and by 90% by 2050 in order to meet the climate action goals established at COP 25. And the fact is, to ensure the comfort of their guests, hotels need a lot of energy. Without going any further, electricity represents approximately 40% of the total energy consumed in establishments, of which 45% would be used for lighting, according to data from the European Commission. Therefore, it is essential to seek alternatives that allow implementing a series of best practices in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic self-consumption. This could significantly reduce energy consumption. Thus, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) points to solar energy as the best energy-saving option for this sector. In Spain, the energy-saving potential of an average hotel is around 10%, and through investment and renovation of facilities, it ranges between 18% and 24%. With all this data and considering that tourism is an important pillar of the Spanish economy, sustainable development in the sector is essential. Therefore, Edison Next, as a Global Energy Partner, is enabling a whole range of energy efficiency and photovoltaic self-consumption solutions, assuming 100% of the investment so that the client obtains savings from day one. Regardless of the size of the tourist establishment, Edison Next offers photovoltaic and energy efficiency solutions tailored to each case, so that any type of company can opt for this potential savings, while contributing to leaving a better planet, free of carbon footprint, for future generations.