In this episode of the Sustainability Stories podcast, we interview Jacqueline Kneebone, the ESG Head of 100 Shoreditch London Hotel, which is part of the Lore Group. Jacqueline shares her journey into sustainability, emphasizing the intertwined nature of wellness and sustainability and how these concepts shape her work.

Jacqueline discusses the sustainability initiatives at 100 Shoreditch, highlighting the hotel's adaptive design approach and efforts to reduce single-use plastics and incorporate renewable energy. She elaborates on the advanced phase of sustainability that the hotel has entered, focusing on mandatory ESG reporting and establishing carbon baselines.

The conversation also covers Jacqueline's continuous learning journey, including her participation in the ESG Executive Program at King's College, and how she upskills her team and stakeholders in sustainability practices. Jacqueline talks about the importance of making sustainability convenient and commercially sound to ensure buy-in from all stakeholders.

The episode concludes with insights into the future of sustainable hospitality, the challenges faced, and the innovative partnerships and community projects that 100 Shoreditch is involved in, such as their collaboration with Made Blue for responsible water use and Earnt for community volunteering.

Listeners are encouraged to stay updated by subscribing to the Sustainability Kiosk newsletter and to explore further learning opportunities mentioned in the show notes.

Notes:

Earnt Community Volunteering: https://www.instagram.com/p/C7CcstBIIoo/

Future Plus, sustainability management reporting platform: https://www.future-plus.co.uk/

Made Blue Partnership for Responsible water use: https://loregroup.com/made-blue/

Hotel Information on Sustainability: https://www.onehundredshoreditch.com/hotel-info/sustainability/

ESG Executives program at Kings College London: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/business/executive-education/open-course/the-kings-eea-executive-esg-programme-for-hospitality-leaders

Sustainability Stories Podcast: Green Collection with Global Hotel Alliance

In this episode, we speak with Jelena Kezika, Global Director Strategy, Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), about their Green Collection initiative on the one-year anniversary since launch.

The Green Collection is a group of 200 hotels within the GHA Discovery loyalty program that are committed to protecting the environment and supporting local communities. We discuss what criteria hotels need to meet to be included in the Green Collection and how GHA is helping its member hotels to become more sustainable.

We also explore the positive impact that the Green Collection is having on the environment and local communities.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the interview:

• GHA is working with its member hotels to implement a number of sustainability initiatives
• The Green Collection is having a positive impact on the environment and local communities. For example, hotels in the Green Collection have collectively reduced their carbon emissions by 10% over the past year.
• GHA has seen members paying more and staying longer at The Green Collection hotels.

If you're interested in learning more about sustainable travel, be sure to listen to the full episode!

The two-part episode is with ⁠John Roberts⁠, Group Director of Sustainability & Conservation at Minor Hotels.

John is a visionary leader with over two decades of experience, overlooking the 500 hotels in the field of sustainability.

Under his leadership, Minor Hotels, which includes Anantara, Avani, NH Collection, Oaks, nhow, Tivoli and Elewana hotels has achieved significant milestones, including a 20% reduction in water consumption and a 30% reduction in carbon emissions. But John's passion goes beyond the numbers.

John shares his vision of the changing landscape for sustainability, and what the future holds for sustainability at MINOR Hotels.

We hope to continue the discussions with John in a future episode, where he will discuss the Anantara Golden Triangle hotel, known for elephant conservation.

Notes:

Minor Hotels Sustainability Report: https://www.minorhotels.com/en/sustainability

The two-part episode is with John Roberts, Group Director of Sustainability & Conservation at Minor Hotels.

John is a visionary leader with over two decades of experience, overlooking the 500 hotels in the field of sustainability.

Under his leadership, Minor Hotels, which includes Anantara, Avani, NH Collection, Oaks, nhow, Tivoli and Elewana hotels has achieved significant milestones, including a 20% reduction in water consumption and a 30% reduction in carbon emissions. But John's passion goes beyond the numbers.

John shares his vision of the changing landscape for sustainability, and what the future holds for sustainability at MINOR Hotels.

We hope to continue the discussions with John in a future episode, where he will discuss the Anantara Golden Triangle hotel, known for elephant conservation.

Notes:

Minor Hotels Sustainability Report: https://www.minorhotels.com/en/sustainability

Welcome back to Sustainability Stories Podcast

The 30th episode is with Mr. K. S. Srinivas, Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Principal Secretary of The Department of Kerala Tourism.

This meeting is during a brief encounter with him during United Nations World Trade Organization (UNWTO event) at Abu Dhabi.

Kerala, a state in south India, is named as one of the ten paradises of the world by National Geographic Traveler, and is known worldwide especially for its ecotourism initiatives and beautiful back waters.

As for Kerala tourism, the villages initially rebelled against tourism development because of over-crowding and lack of substantial returns to the local economy

To address this, the department did two things

(1) developed collaborations with local producers and artists

(2) Additionally, the development of cooperatives and village life experiences for tourists. This created new market opportunities to revive the tourism economy.

We'll explore these initiatives and hear first hand from Mr Srinivas, how state of Kerala has revitalized its tourism industry through a focus on sustainable practices.

Join us on Sustainability Stories as we delve into the growing world of green jobs with Professor Tadhg O'Donovan, Deputy Vice Principal and Head of School of Engineering & Physical Sciences at Heriot-Watt University. Professor O'Donovan, who also leads the Scottish Institute for Solar Energy Research (SISER) and serves as Honorary Education Secretary for the Energy Institute in the Middle East, will share his insights on the UAE's efforts to support this vital sector.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) projects a staggering 24 million new green jobs created globally by 2030! This episode is your chance to learn more about this exciting field and how the UAE is positioning itself as a leader.

Here's what we'll cover:

• Understanding Green Jobs: What exactly are they?
• The Green Job Landscape in the UAE: Insights into the current market and future outlook.
• The Heriot-Watt (HW) University Green Job Strategy: Discover how the HW university is fostering growth in this area.
• Benefits of Green Jobs: Why a career in sustainability could be perfect for you.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in sustainability, the future of work, or the burgeoning field of green jobs.

Recorded pre-COP28 in Dubai: We'll touch on Heriot-Watt's Climate Hub initiative for COP28.

Stay Connected: Find us at www.sustainabilitykiosk.com for further discussions.

Notes:

• Heriot-Watt University Dubai - Edinburgh Business School Incubator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/dubai/about/schools/ebs/edinburgh-business-school-incubator.htm
• Heriot-Watt University Dubai - Climate Hub: https://www.hw.ac.uk/dubai/climatehub/
• Business Models to Nurture Innovation in the Energy Transition: https://www.oilandgasmiddleeast.com/tags/innovation

In this episode, we delve into the murky waters of sustainability claims in the hospitality industry. Radhika Arapally hosts Wayne Mckinnon, CEO of Green Growth 2050 certification, to dissect the authenticity of hotel eco-initiatives through certification. They explore:

• Why certifications matter: Unmask the crucial role certifications play in separating genuine green efforts from mere marketing ploys.
• Green Growth 2050's edge: Discover what sets this certification apart from the pack, ensuring hotels walk the talk, not just greenwash.
• The green bottom line: Uncover the tangible benefits of certification, from cost savings to attracting eco-conscious clientele.
• Beyond leisure vs. business: Learn how different hotel types, from city-center hubs to sprawling resorts, can leverage certification for success.
• Net Zero support: Explore how certification paves the path to Net Zero goals and identify who takes the helm in achieving them.
• Corporate accountability: Investigate whether hotel chains are doing enough to reach Net Zero targets, and what needs to change.

This podcast is a great listen for hospitality professionals and conscious travelers alike. Join us as we navigate the complex landscape of sustainability claims and expose the true path to a greener future for the industry for Net Positive Hospitality

In today's episode, we have a special guest, ⁠Danielle Curtis⁠, Exhibition Director of ⁠Arabian Travel Market (ATM)⁠ one of the leading travel and tourism events in the Middle East. With an average attendance of 40,000, ATM has established itself as a prominent platform in the region.

In this episode, we delve into the theme of "Working Towards Net Zero" and explore how Arabian Travel Market and the travel industry in the Middle East are embracing sustainability.

During our conversation, I ask Danielle about two key aspects.:

Firstly, we discuss how Arabian Travel Market and the broader travel and tourism industry in the Middle East are approaching sustainability. Danielle shares valuable insights into the strategies being employed and sheds light on the progress being made.

Secondly, Danielle provides us with inspiring examples of best practices and success stories with "Sustainability and ATM Event". Her expertise and exceptional communication skills shine through as she articulately explains the strategies and covers a significant amount of ground within the 15-minute episode.

It's worth noting that this episode was recorded just before ATM went live, offering listeners a unique opportunity to gain insights into the sustainability journey of REED exhibitions, from strategic planning to implementation.

Prepare to be informed and inspired as we explore the efforts and achievements in creating a more sustainable future in the travel and tourism industry.

Join us as we delve into this engaging conversation with Danielle Curtis.