As we ponder over the future of the hotel industry, we are forced to reflect upon a premise, that is, concurrently, our true conviction. We believe that, on a global scale, the development of this industry will inevitably start adopting more sustainable practices, so as to pursue a more responsible and conscious tourism when it comes to resource management.

Driven by Purpose, at the Green Growth Hotel we have engaged on a decarbonization agenda with clear measurable goals and targets thus reducing our environmental impact inherent to our activity, assuming, from day one, a leadership position in implementing sustainable practice and constant learning across all activities in our operations and beyond.

Set on doing our share with respect to promoting a more sustainable world and, aware that every step counts, we uphold this commitment every day of our lives and in our every activity.

In 2020, we decided to embrace yet another project in line with getting certified with EarthCheck compiling this very first sustainability report. Transparency, disclosure, alignment with the UN sustainability goals, progress reporting on our achievements outlined in the decarbonization plan and integrated impact reporting underpin our drive for purpose.

Back when it was still a project, a sketch of the hotel it would one day become, sustainability was already defining its features. Sprung from an idea, the Green Growth Hotel took on a concept and, from an early stage, embraced its mission within sustainability and social responsibility. Adopting the EarthCheck Building Planning and Design Standard (BPDS) and certifying the building thus preparing for efficient operations and the subsequent EC certification of the operating set the stage on our journey. That work covered the following areas:

• Planning and Design Requirements
• Construction Requirements
• Operational Requirements

The quality of our services is paired with an integrated management system that guarantees both the reduction of the environmental impact from our activity and the availability of a differentiated service for our guest. Our Building Management System (BMS) and the EarthCheck certification measure based on a set of KPI our operations CO2 outputs allowing us to monitor all aspects and define clear reduction targets.

Energy is at the heart of the sustainable development agenda

Energy is at the heart of many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) - from expanding access to electricity, to improving clean cooking fuels, from reducing wasteful energy subsidies to curbing deadly air pollution that each year prematurely kills millions around the world. One of these goals - commonly known as SDG 7 - aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern ENERGY FOR ALL by the end of the next decade.

More on SDG 7:

Green Hotel Energy Performance

Key achievements

Energy conservation, energy efficiency, measurement and monitoring, constant learning and awareness of related issues and topics are the areas where our Green Squad acts and pushed the agenda.

Key Initiatives

• EDP 100% Renewable Energy Certificate (see our certificate)
• EarthCheck Benchmark (see our 2020 benchmark report)
• Giving back our fund for a global NGO focused on energy poverty

Key Performance Indicators

• Reduce energy consumption per guest by 4% compared with previous year
• Allocate 5% of Capex expenditure to further improve energy efficiency overall

Our Statistics

In 2020, there was little reduction in room electricity consumption compared to 2019, but it should be noticed that there was a significant reduction from 2018 to 2019.

Target 1 - Use 30% renewable energy by December 2021

This very ambitious target, especially taking into consideration that there are significant electricity usage peaks at Green Growth Hotel.

KPA: Energy Efficiency, Conservation and Management

Actions:

• Implement solar panel system capable of producing 50% of the electricity required by Green Growth Hotel in 2020
• Implement a strict policy regarding the usage of the Hotel's combustion engine vehicles
• Implement a strict policy regarding unnecessary work travel