How Hotels Can Overcome Key Sustainability Challenges with Nature-Based Solutions
The hotel industry is at a crossroads. As global pressures mount to reduce emissions and meet sustainability commitments, hospitality brands face a unique set of challenges: navigating stringent ESG regulations, decarbonising operations, and engaging increasingly eco-conscious customers. With the hospitality sector responsible for approximately 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the stakes have never been higher.

Yet, this challenge also presents an opportunity. By embracing nature-based solutions such as forest restoration, hotels can not only address their carbon footprints but also inspire guests, meet regulatory demands, and foster a positive impact on communities and biodiversity.

The Key Challenges Facing Hotels

  1. Decarbonisation
    Hotels are under pressure to achieve ambitious net-zero targets, with many pledging reductions in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Achieving these goals requires both internal operational changes—such as switching to renewable energy and improving energy efficiency—and external mitigation strategies.
  2. Evolving ESG Regulations
    From mandatory reporting under the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) to frameworks like TCFD (Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures), hotels must now provide transparent, measurable data on their environmental and social impacts. For many brands, this is uncharted territory.
  3. Customer Awareness and Engagement
    Travellers are increasingly seeking out eco-friendly accommodations, with over 80% of global travellers identifying sustainable travel as important in recent surveys. However, turning sustainability efforts into compelling guest experiences that drive loyalty remains a challenge.

The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance’s Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality Framework provides a roadmap for hotels to move beyond compliance and make a truly positive impact. One of its critical recommendations is Beyond Value Chain Mitigation (BVCM)—actions that address emissions and impacts outside of a hotel’s direct operations

This is where nature-based solutions come in. Forest restoration, for example, provides measurable carbon sequestration, enhances biodiversity, and supports local communities. By partnering with organisations like WeForest, hotels can align with these BVCM strategies, amplifying their sustainability impact while meeting ESG requirements.

A Case Study: Riviera Marriott Hotel La Porte de Monaco

The Riviera Marriott partnered with WeForest to restore India’s Khasi Hills, contributing to biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and improved livelihoods.

These initiatives:

  • Help the hotel meet ESG compliance with measurable outcomes.
  • Engage guests, offering them a tangible connection to the hotel’s sustainability mission.
  • Foster employee pride, enhancing internal culture.

As one guest commented, “Staying here feels like contributing to something bigger than myself.”

How WeForest Can Help Your Hotel Thrive

WeForest partners with hospitality brands to develop and implement impactful nature-based solutions. From restoring forests to creating community agroforestry systems, our projects deliver measurable results that resonate with ESG frameworks like the CSRD and align with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance’s vision for net-positive hospitality.

WeForest’s founder, Marie-Noëlle Keijzer, sums it up:

“Hotels have a unique opportunity to lead the charge in sustainability. By restoring forests, they not only address their emissions but also inspire travellers and employees to engage in meaningful climate action.”

Take the First Step Towards Net Positive Hospitality

Hotels have a unique opportunity to lead in climate action. Partnering with WeForest offers flexible ways to make an impact—grow trees through CSR initiatives (e.g., trees grown per booking), engage guests (e.g., trees grown when linens are reused), align your brand with forest restoration, integrate support options online, offset carbon with measurable impact, or contribute through donations. Our team is ready to explore how we can grow positive change together. Let’s talk!

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