The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world’s most ethical hotel companies since 2010, is proud to announce its involvement with the UN CEO Water Mandate, the only hospitality company to be part of the group’s 115 members.
Since its inception in 2007 by the UN Secretary-General, the mandate has looked to engage business organizations on the issues that affect water scarcity, pollution, and most importantly, how the processes involved in the production of goods and services can impact on these.
Their commitment to the mandate forms part of Rezidor’s continued mission to be the most sustainable and responsible hospitality company in the market. Being recognised as one of the world’s most ethical companies every year since 2010 reflects the company’s efforts to maintain the highest standards of sustainability across all their hotels.
Signatories of the UN CEO Water Mandate have to be a signatory to the UN Global Compact. Rezidor has been a member since 2009.
In March of this year, Rezidor organized a one day ‘Water in Hospitality’ workshop with GROHE, Grundfos, Purcell Miller Tritton and Studiebureau Boydens to tackle the issue of water sustainability in the hospitality industry. A number of key topics were discussed including: design for sustainability in new builds, retrofitting to optimize existing property, and changing behaviour and consumer expectations.
Following the workshop, Rezidor ventured into a new Water Task Force that going forward will look at ways to maximize water sustainability from room and building design, to bathroom fixtures, kitchen, pumps and maintenance of the systems.
All of these initiatives are integral to Rezidor’s Responsible Business strategy. Their awareness of environmental issues and proactive steps to create a more sustainable way of working are outlined through a three pillar approach: Think Planet, Think People, Think Together.
Wolfgang M. Neumann, President and CEO of the Rezidor Hotel Group discusses the importance of signing the UN CEO Water Mandate: “UNEP forecasts that if we continue to do ‘business as usual’ in tourism; by 2050 water consumption will multiply by 2.5. Rezidor is committed to minimising its environmental footprint with Think Planet program. With our leading position and strong pipeline in the emerging markets, where water scarcity is a big issue, we want to take the lead in Water Stewardship. The UN CEO Water Mandate will help us to achieve this ambition.”
Rezidor’s signing of the UN CEO Water Mandate will see them begin work on 6 Water Stewardship related commitments:
- Direct Operations
- Supply Chain and Watershed Management
- Collective Action
- Public Policy
- Community Engagement
- Transparency
