Time Running Out for Tackling Sustainability Reporting

Tracy Wilkins, operations director at BWH Hotels, Great Britain’s largest group of independent hotels, on how UK Sustainability Reporting Standards will impact hoteliers

Measuring sustainability is fast becoming a priority for hotel owners, with new reporting standards coming in January 2026 – and guests now expecting it as the norm.

With the UK Government targeting net zero by 2050 and aiming for a 68% cut in emissions by 2030, pressure is mounting across all sectors, including hospitality.

Adding to these pressures is the news that the Government is currently consulting on its framework to create UK Sustainability Reporting Standards which will then, if approved, come into force in 2026.

Large hotels and hospitality businesses will be obliged to track and report energy consumption across properties, carbon emissions from operations, water usage and waste management metrics and supply chain sustainability.

Although it will start with larger businesses and chains - and won’t immediately apply to SMEs - it will impact hospitality businesses. This is particularly true of businesses that supply or work with hotel chains and corporate venues. Many will require data as part of sustainability commitments.

Hotels rank among the highest energy consumers due to our round-the-clock, year-round operations - so it is even more important for us to pay attention to any improvements we can make.

When examining guest preferences, the business case becomes even more compelling and recent research has shown that this isn’t something that we should do in a half-hearted way.

Recent data from a comprehensive survey of nearly 1,200 BWH Rewards guests underscores this significant shifting priority: Two-thirds of guests would willingly pay more for hotels with strong green credentials, while 88 per cent report that sustainability efforts directly influence their booking decisions.

More than half actively check for sustainability certifications before finalising reservations.

When specifically questioned about the importance of sustainability in hotel selection, 17 per cent of respondents considered it extremely important, 40 per cent important, 31 per cent somewhat important and only 12 per cent not important - showing that sustainability considerations now factor into 88 per cent of guest decision-making processes to some degree.

Regarding pre-booking sustainability certification checks, three per cent check every time, 20 per cent most of the time, 45 per cent rarely and 32 per cent never check - suggesting growing awareness that will likely increase as environmental concerns continue gaining prominence.

When ranking sustainable initiatives, guests particularly value comprehensive waste recycling, locally sourced food options, reduced towel and linen washing programmes, refillable toiletries instead of single-use plastics and thoughtful wildlife initiatives that enhance biodiversity.

Recent research revealed UK hotel room emissions average 7.5 tonnes CO2e per room annually, though effective reduction strategies exist and are increasingly being implemented by forward-thinking hoteliers.

As we navigate the environmental demands it’s good to focus on the advantages of reducing carbon emission. Lower emissions can substantially decrease energy and operational costs while ensuring hotels remain eligible for lucrative corporate bookings with environmentally conscious B Corps and travel management companies.

We know sustainability is a priority for hoteliers across the UK. But we also understand how daunting it can feel to implement compliant sustainable changes, especially for independent hotels with limited resources.

That’s why we are doing everything we can to make the process - of hotels becoming more sustainable businesses - as painless and smooth as possible, providing practical solutions rather than just highlighting challenges.

It’s vital for the planet that we all address sustainability, but these changes can also bring commercial benefits to the hospitality industry.

For assistance in making your hotel both more sustainable and more profitable in today's environmentally conscious marketplace, contact joinbwhhotels.co.uk.

Maddie Waters
Senior Account Manager
BWH Hotels