Hilton’s Efforts to Cut Scope 3 Emissions Across Franchises

Managing Scope 1 and 2 emissions is usually straightforward. A greater challenge lies in cutting climate impact throughout the value chain, especially when suppliers are not centrally controlled.

For hotel operator Hilton, its biggest environmental challenge is tackling emissions from franchised properties.

Because Hilton does not directly manage these locations, they account for most of the company’s Scope 3 emissions. 

In its 2025 Travel with Purpose report, Hilton recorded that carbon emissions intensity at franchised properties worldwide dropped by 36% compared to 2008.

Hilton also cut carbon emissions intensity by 50.9% at its managed properties by using energy-efficiency programmes, following science-based targets and ISO standards. 

Partner collaboration to decarbonise

Hilton has added this approach to its business model. The company supports property owners with sustainable building designs and technologies. 

For instance, the Hilton Garden Inn Brussels Airport, which opened in 2025, uses only renewable electricity from geothermal energy and more than 600 solar panels.

It has earned BREEAM Excellent, WELL Gold, and DGNB Gold certifications, making it the only hotel in Belgium with all three.

“Since 2019, Hilton’s global portfolio has expanded by nearly 50% in square footage, while our total emissions have increased by less than 5%,” says Jean Garris Hand, VP and Global Head of Sustainability and Responsible Business at Hilton.

“Through innovation, collaboration across our global teams and strong partnerships with our owners, operators, suppliers and communities, we are demonstrating that business growth and environmental impact do not have to rise together.”

Accelerated operational targets and circularity

Hilton is also focusing on waste management and circular economy projects. The company reduced landfill waste intensity by 64.7% across managed properties, achieving its 2030 goal ahead of schedule.

Hilton also cut water-use intensity by 37.1% at managed properties. 

To make circular practices part of daily routines, Hilton partners with communities through the Hilton Global Foundation. 

In 2025, these partnerships kept over 2.1 million pounds of waste out of landfills and donated 2.4 million pounds of food, providing more than 2.3 million meals to local communities.

As a result of these efforts, corporate travellers can reduce the environmental impact of their business trips and events. 

“Through Travel with Purpose, we're making meaningful, measurable progress across our people, our hotels and our communities – strengthening the experiences we deliver to guests while driving long-term value for our business,” says Katherine Lugar, EVP of Corporate Affairs and President of the Hilton Global Foundation.

"From investing in our award-winning culture to advancing more sustainable stays and supporting communities around the world, this work reflects how purpose is embedded in how we compete, grow and lead."