Mandarin Oriental has released its 14th annual sustainability report showing measurable environmental improvements across its global hotel portfolio. The luxury hotel group operates 43 hotels, 12 residences and 26 homes across 27 countries.
The company achieved a 21% reduction in energy intensity and a 30% cut in carbon emissions compared to its 2012 baseline in 2024. The Geneva property now uses deep water from Lake Geneva for heating and cooling through the GeniLac system. For the first time, the group began tracking Scope 3 emissions across its operations to identify future supply chain reduction opportunities.
Water conservation efforts resulted in a 13% decrease in water use since 2012. In Munich, the Cool Flow System regulates building temperature while prioritizing water conservation. The group implemented targeted waste reduction strategies, achieving a 37% cut in waste intensity against the 2012 baseline. At the Hong Kong property, staff reduced food waste by 73% in the colleague restaurant, preventing 36 tonnes of carbon emissions annually and saving the equivalent of 21,000 meals.
The company plans to implement Winnow, an AI-based food waste tracking system, group-wide in 2025 after testing it in selected kitchens. More than two-thirds of properties have begun composting food waste programs.
Single-use plastic elimination reached 99% completion across the portfolio. The group's Canouan property in the Caribbean joined the UN-backed Global Tourism Plastics Initiative.
Procurement standards maintained third-party verification through LRQA for responsibly sourced coffee, tea, cocoa, vanilla, sugar and paper. Seafood purchasing followed WWF guidance to avoid endangered species. Guest satisfaction with sustainability practices increased to 92% from 91% in the previous year, based on surveys of more than 100,000 guests.
The group invested in employee development with inclusive workplace training for all staff and certified 132 colleagues as mental health first aiders. A new colleague-led Resource Groups initiative will launch in 2025, starting with Women in Mandarin Oriental.
Community engagement included over 78,000 hours of volunteer time from employees, supported by a paid volunteering program. The company backed more than 500 charitable initiatives and provided over $520,000 in cash and in-kind donations.
"Sustainability at Mandarin Oriental is not a separate pursuit but integral to how we grow, how we lead and how we serve,” said Laurent Kleitman, group chief executive of Mandarin Oriental. “It reflects the choices we make each day, from the design of our buildings to the way we support our people and engage with communities. This report speaks to progress that is both considered and collective — built by many, and with purpose."
Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by Mandarin Oriental. It has been fact-checked and reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.
