Community, Climate and Circularity: Radisson Hotel Group

The hotel industry must reduce its carbon emissions by 66% per room by 2030, according to the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.

Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) is working towards this goal, with an aim to implement sustainable practices into the 1,500 hotels it operates.

It has published its 2025 Responsible Business Report, which spotlights how the company is creating benefits for people, communities and the planet.

Radisson’s sustainability strategy

RHG’s main goal is to be net zero by 2050, based on its approved science-based targets.

All of the hotels across its portfolio are working towards verification under the Hotel Sustainability Basics framework.

Its responsible business strategy is built around three pillars of action:

• Think People: Offering strong employment conditions, meaningful training and clear pathways for talent development
• Think Community: Screening suppliers for human rights and environmental commitments and contributing to local communities to create shared value
• Think Planet: Striving to achieve a net-positive impact for the planet with clear targets to minimise its footprint

In 2025, RHG reached a key milestone in its sustainability journey, opening its first two Verified Net Zero Hotels, located in Oslo and Manchester.

These properties have been independently verified, achieving net zero carbon emissions across all three emission scopes.

Inge Hujibrechts, Chief Sustainability and Security Officer at Radisson Hotel Group, writes on LinkedIn: “What a year of impact for People, Communities and Planet.

“Congratulations to the global team in our 1000+ hotels and in our offices for creating memorable moments in responsible business every single day.

“The Report highlights how we at Radisson Hotel Group are turning our net zero transformation into real, measurable progress across its hotels and operations, while caring for people and communities.”

Positive impacts on local communities

RHG aims to provide fair, transparent and supportive employment conditions to its employees, as well as fostering a workplace culture where team members feel protected, heard and supported.

It invests in safety standards, training and risk prevention measures for its operational and office environments.

The company’s activities also bring shared value to local communities, contributing to socio-economic development through indirect and direct employment, improved livelihoods and the stimulation of local businesses.

The Radisson People Foundation was launched in 2024 and ensures that team members and their families are supported during acute hardship caused by local, environmental or personal issues.

Climate commitments

RHG’s science-based targets include reducing its absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 46.2% and reducing its absolute Scope 3 emissions from fuel and energy-related activities by 27.5% by 2030 from a 2019 base year.

It focuses on decarbonising its operations, through the transition to 100% renewable energy and investments in energy efficiency.

Its commitment to achieving net zero extends to its focus on e-mobility, with electric vehicle charging stations, bike rentals and low-emission shuttle and taxi options for its hotel guests.

Federico González, CEO of Radisson Hotel Group, says: “In 2025, we were navigating a world defined by heightened uncertainty and faster-moving change. Despite economic volatility, Radisson Hotel Group continued to grow its portfolio and performance. Geopolitical tensions and shifting trade dynamics continue to create new complexities for international mobility, supply chains and energy markets.

“At the same time, climate extremes are no longer exceptional events – they are increasingly shaping day-to-day operations. Travelers now expect reliability, transparency, safety and a commitment to purpose and environmental performance.

“For the travel and hospitality sector in general, and for RHG, this context is reshaping demand patterns toward responsible travel and sustainable stays, elevating the importance of resilience and reinforcing the need to operate with a focus on efficiency, risk management and purpose.”

Operating hotels sustainably

Sustainable operations at its hotels is a core element of RHG’s responsible business strategy.

It focuses on sustainable building design, aiming to reduce energy and water demand, improve resource efficiency and promote the use of healthier, lower-impact materials.

The Group is working on reducing single-use plastics, prioritising durable, recyclable and circular solutions.

It uses bulk amenity dispensers across all of its hotels, eliminating the need for 57 million miniature bottles and nearly 500 tons of plastic annually.

RHG’s strategy involves redesigning its food and beverage operations, with seasonal menus, local sourcing, reduced use of processed ingredients and responsible packaging.

It is focusing on reducing food waste, with preventative measures such as standardised recipes and pre-portioning, as well as partnerships with Too Good To Go to reduce surplus food and engage local communities.