Introduction

As populations and economies grow, so too does the demand for energy. Unfortunately, that energy is still supplied primarily through non-renewable sources like fossil fuel. Besides being a source that will eventually run out, fossil fuel also produces a substantial amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which trap heat in the atmosphere and accelerate the warming of the planet. We’re already seeing the negative impact that this process is having on weather patterns and biodiversity.

Understandably, the hotel sector uses a significant amount of energy, with room temperature regulation and lighting being the two biggest consumers. And as a result it contributes significantly to GHG emissions – between 160 and 200 kg of CO₂ per square meter of room floor area. For these reasons, energy consumption should be a crucial consideration in your journey to becoming more sustainable.

Fortunately, there are a lot of opportunities for energy saving. A significant part of a hotel’s energy consumption comes from unnecessary loss and waste, so making a few changes can help to quickly increase efficiency and cut costs.

In this section we’ll look at the benefits of reducing your energy consumption, both for your business and for the environment. We’ll also cover some of the different measures you can take to reduce your consumption and improve the sustainability of your business.