At Sustainability Kiosk, we are passionate about showcasing the most innovative approaches to sustainability in the hospitality sector. It was our honor to invite Mohamed AbdelWahab, Regional Director for Minor Hotels MEA, to share his insights during the Responsible Hoteliers Summit 2024, where industry leaders gathered to explore how hotels can lead the charge towards a more sustainable future.
As a trailblazer in the hospitality industry, Minor Hotels has firmly embedded sustainability into its core business strategy. Their ambitious Net Zero goal for 2050 and their continuous efforts to set—and achieve—bold sustainability targets have become benchmarks for responsible business practices globally.
Awards and Recognitions
Minor Hotels’ sustainability journey has been recognized by some of the most prestigious awards in the industry. Among their notable achievements:
S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2024: recognized as a top-performing hotel operator.
Green Growth 2050 Platinum Certification: awarded to many of their properties for exemplary performance in energy, water, and waste management.
Global Hotel Alliance’s Green Collection: acknowledging their sustained efforts in reducing environmental impacts and promoting responsible tourism.
A Holistic Sustainability Strategy
At the summit, Mohamed AbdelWahab highlighted Minor Hotels’ strategic approach to sustainability, which is built upon three core pillars:
People Potential: Prioritizing team members’ safety, well-being, and career development. The company extends opportunities to local communities, ensuring that their growth is linked to the regions in which they operate.
Natural Capital: Minor Hotels has pledged to achieve Net Zero by 2050. This commitment includes conserving resources, minimizing waste, reducing emissions, and protecting biodiversity across all operations and supply chains.
Responsible Business: Sustainability is deeply integrated into the company’s overall business strategy. They have established clear policies, accountability mechanisms, and consistent progress reporting to ensure long-term success in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices.
Bold Sustainability Goals
To drive its sustainability mission, Minor Hotels has set ambitious goals:
15% reduction in energy intensity by 2025 (baseline 2019)
10% reduction in water intensity by 2025 (baseline 2022)
75% reduction in single-use plastics by 2024 (baseline 2018)
50% reduction in organic waste to landfills by 2030 (baseline 2021)
15% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions intensity by 2025 (baseline 2019)
These science-based targets are positioning Minor Hotels as leaders in sustainable hospitality and challenging other industry players to step up.
Leading the Way in Net Zero Strategies
Minor Hotels’ journey towards Net Zero is marked by practical and innovative solutions implemented across their properties.
During the summit, Abdelwahab shared examples from UAE hotels, Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi where renewable energy sources, including a 45 MW wind turbine and a 14.8 MW solar field, are integral to their operations.
Meanwhile, Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah a new hotel that opened in 2023, sets the gold standard for sustainable luxury, earning LEED Gold Certification. This property features energy-efficient systems, such as optimized HVAC, water-efficient fixtures, and cutting-edge waste management practices, reinforcing their position as a leader in sustainable hotel operations.
Sustainable Design and Operations
Minor Hotels’ commitment to sustainability goes beyond energy and water conservation. One standout example is Anantara Downtown, which adopts a nature-conscious design by selecting live plants suited to the environment to reduce replacement needs and maintenance costs. In areas where live plants might not thrive, artificial alternatives are used to conserve water without sacrificing aesthetics.
Additionally, the NH Collection Dubai The Palm achieved Green Growth 2050 Platinum Certification in its first year of operation, with initiatives like reducing food waste in staff canteens by an impressive 84%.
On The Palm, Anantara Dubai The Palm and Avani+ The Palm View continue to lead the way, having been consistently assessed for Green Growth 2050 certification, and recognized for their efforts in food waste reduction through The PLEDGE on Food Waste certification. Their sustainable operations have been highly commended with several industry awards.
At Ananatara Qasr Al Sarab, the on-site food waste composter transforms food waste into nutrient-rich compost, which is then used to grow fruit and vegetables. This eliminates the need to send food waste to landfills, creating a more sustainable approach to waste management. By integrating on-site solutions for both food waste and water treatment, the resort ensures that its operations maintain a circular process, reducing environmental impact and supporting a closed-loop system
Conclusion: A Blueprint for the Future
The sustainability journey of Minor Hotels offers an inspiring blueprint for the hospitality industry. By setting tangible, ambitious goals and taking actionable steps towards achieving Net Zero, they demonstrate that sustainability is not only achievable but is also key to long-term business success.
As we move towards a more sustainable future, it is clear that the hospitality industry plays a crucial role in shaping a better world for all. We invite you to follow the ongoing sustainability transformation in hospitality through our blogs at Sustainability Kiosk. Alternatively, listen to our podcast featuring John Roberts, Group Director for Sustainability and Conservation, Minor Hotels to hear more on behind the scenes.
Stay tuned for more stories of innovation and leadership, as we continue to build a future where businesses thrive by balancing People, Planet, and Profits.
