11 Mandarin Oriental Hotels accredited with Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Certification with a target of certification across all properties by 2025
Reduction of energy intensity per square metre, falling by 22% from a 2012 baseline
Responsible sourcing on key high volume food products verified by global assurance partner, LRQA
Hong Kong- Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has launched its 2023 Sustainability Report which tracks the progress the Group has made against its sustainability agenda and specific targets. Over the past year, Mandarin Oriental has continued to enhance its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policies, emphasizing its commitment to sustainable practices across the Group.
“Sustainability is not just a responsibility, but a cornerstone of excellence for luxury. As stewards of some of the most beautiful and sought-after locations in the world, we are committed to continuing to innovate while setting the highest standards in luxury hospitality, from the unique experiences we create for our guests, to the impact we have on the planet and the communities where we operate.” says Laurent Kleitman, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. “Our dedication to sustainability is reflected in the significant progress we have made in various areas, including energy efficiency, single use plastic elimination, and responsible sourcing.”
Key highlights from this year’s report include:
Food-waste-management powered by AI
To address the significant issue of food waste, Mandarin Oriental has implemented Winnow, an AI-powered food-waste-management system, across all its kitchens. This technology uses data analysis to optimize menus and portions, significantly reducing food waste.
Reduction of energy
Despite the growth in the number of hotels, Mandarin Oriental has achieved a notable reduction in energy intensity per square meter, falling by 22% from a 2012 baseline. Additionally, the Group has increased its renewable energy use from 4% to 8% over the same period.
Elimination of 99% single-use plastics
Mandarin Oriental has successfully eliminated 99% of single-use plastics from its operations, with ongoing efforts to address the remaining 1%. This initiative has so far removed nearly 1,000 metric tons of plastic waste annually1, demonstrating the Group’s commitment to responsible waste management.
1 Determined from a sizing exercise conducted with Greenview on the most commonly used single-use plastics across the Group.
Reduced carbon emissions
In line with its goal to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030, Mandarin Oriental is actively supporting the development of the Net Zero Methodology, contributing to industry-wide progress through its involvement with the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.
Responsible sourcing
Mandarin Oriental has made significant strides in responsible sourcing, with all coffee, tea, vanilla, cocoa and sugar verified by global assurance partner LRQA for responsible sourcing. Furthermore, the Group adheres to the latest WWF Endangered Seafood Guide, avoiding 19 species listed on its Endangered Seafood Avoid List. Over 90% of the Group’s eggs are sourced from cage-free chickens, with a target of reaching 100% by 2024.
Innovative partnerships with leading suppliers have also led to the creation of eco-friendly guest room amenities, including plastic-free options for sanitary bags, shower caps, and shavers.
Supporting communities
In 2023, Mandarin Oriental introduced a group-wide initiative granting colleagues a paid day off for volunteering. This resulted in a 150% increase in volunteer hours year-on-year, reflecting the Group’s commitment to community engagement.
Juliet Kinsman, editor of the report, author and founder of Bouteco, stated: “We hope that this report’s exponential effect increases the positive impact of those who read it since, as well as sharing Mandarin Oriental’s own data, it communicates the key themes in sustainability in an easy-to-read way. We hope that its straight-talking style helps readers better understand what matters and why when measuring sustainability, encouraging other hotels, businesses, and individuals to be inspired to improve and advance their own practices.”
