How Does Marriott Embed Sustainability in Meetings and Events?

October 29, 2024

Marriott International recently introduced “Connect Responsibly with Marriott Bonvoy Events,” a groundbreaking global initiative designed to weave sustainability into the fabric of meetings and events hosted at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. This forward-thinking program provides meeting planners with the tools to integrate eco-friendly practices into their events, offering detailed Meeting Impact Reports that measure the environmental footprint, including carbon and water usage. It also facilitates the purchase of carbon credits, enriching the user experience with insights gleaned from a successful global pilot program. Ultimately, this initiative aims to empower customers to better understand and mitigate the environmental impacts of their gatherings.

Program Features and Tools

Meeting Impact Reports

At the core of the Connect Responsibly program is the user-friendly Meeting Impact Report. This report provides a detailed account of the event specifics, including information on sustainability practices unique to the host property. Available in 11 languages based on the location, the report employs established hospitality industry methodologies to offer accurate and actionable insights. This aligns with Marriott’s larger sustainability goals, ensuring that each event follower can make informed decisions to optimize their environmental stewardship.

The Meeting Impact Report not only helps planners understand their event’s carbon and water footprints but also encourages them to take steps towards reducing it. By integrating these metrics, Marriott aims to showcase the tangible impact of sustainability in the hospitality sector. This tool benefits both the planners and the environment, bridging the gap between business needs and ecological responsibility. Its accessibility and ease of use have been highlighted in the global pilot program, which has shown promising results in terms of participant engagement and operational feasibility.

Carbon Offsetting Partnership with South Pole

Further elevating the Connect Responsibly initiative is Marriott’s collaboration with South Pole, a leading carbon asset developer and climate consultancy. This partnership gives customers the option to offset the carbon emissions associated with their events through validated carbon offset projects. These projects, available via South Pole’s online shop, are independently verified by third-party organizations, ensuring their efficacy and impact.

The inclusion of carbon offset options not only adds depth to the program but also offers a practical solution to counterbalancing event-related emissions. By purchasing carbon credits, customers can support projects that contribute to long-term environmental benefits, such as reforestation or renewable energy initiatives. This feature empowers event planners to take an active role in combating climate change, making every event an opportunity for positive environmental action.

Marriott’s Broader Sustainability Goals

Science-Based Targets and Climate Action

Marriott’s Connect Responsibly program is an integral part of the company’s broader commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across its properties and supply chain. Notably, Marriott has become the largest global hospitality company to receive approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its near-term and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets. This significant achievement underscores Marriott’s dedication to corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship.

The approval by SBTi adds a layer of credibility and urgency to Marriott’s sustainability efforts. Marriott’s Climate Action Program complements this approval, incorporating tailored, property-level carbon reduction strategies. These strategies enable individual hotels to contribute to the overall emissions reduction goals, fostering a culture of sustainability throughout the organization. This comprehensive approach ensures that Marriott’s environmental commitments are not merely aspirational but are grounded in actionable, science-based plans.

Serve 360 and Future Goals

Marriott International has launched “Connect Responsibly with Marriott Bonvoy Events,” a pioneering global initiative aimed at embedding sustainability into the core of meetings and events at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. This visionary program equips event planners with essential tools to incorporate environmentally-friendly practices into their gatherings. A key feature of the program is the provision of detailed Meeting Impact Reports, which track the environmental footprint of events, including metrics for carbon and water usage. Moreover, it offers an option to purchase carbon credits, further enhancing the eco-conscious efforts of organizers. The initiative is enriched with insights from a successful global pilot program, ensuring it delivers practical and effective solutions. By providing these resources, Marriott aims to empower its customers to better understand and reduce the environmental impact of their events, promoting a more sustainable approach to hosting meetings and assemblies.

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