As sustainability moves to a measurable business process, governments, corporations, consumers, employees, and investors are all looking for more specific data to judge progress and performance.
Despite political disruption and economic challenges like inflation and supply chain shortages, corporations and governments remain focused on a long-term sustainability agenda. That focus has moved towards a more ‘facts and data,’ measurement-oriented process. What it means for corporations and their supply chains is a formalizing of expectations and regulations, like what we experienced with data privacy and security, which produced GDPR and other guidance.
The travel industry in all its aspects-- air travel, automobile use, accommodations and more-- is estimated to be accountable for between 8-10%, or just under 4 billion tons, of the world’s annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While there is no precise emissions marker for the subset of corporate housing, the industry is committed to supporting sustainability and to taking practical, useful steps to help both operators and clients with education and a roadmap towards a reduced carbon footprint. The question is “Can Corporate Housing be Sustainable?” The answer is yes.
Here are 10 Steps Corporate Housing Providers can take towards sustainability.
1. Be Energy Efficient. Providers can adopt energy-efficient practices to reduce their carbon footprint. This includes using energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting, and implementing smart building systems to optimize energy usage.
2. Utilize Renewable Energy Sources. Many corporate housing providers are transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar power to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower their environmental impact.
3. Reduce Waste and Recycle. Implementing waste reduction strategies is crucial. Providers should encourage guests to participate in recycling programs and provide appropriate bins and instructions for proper waste disposal. Providers can also partner with local recycling facilities to ensure waste is handled responsibly.
4. Conserve Water. Corporate housing providers can adopt water-efficient fixtures, such as low-flow toilets and faucets, and promote water-saving practices to minimize water consumption. They can also implement rainwater harvesting systems for landscaping purposes.
5. Use Sustainable Materials and Furnishings. Providers can seek out sustainable building materials and furnishings made from renewable or recycled resources. This includes using eco-friendly paints, flooring made from sustainable materials, and furniture produced with low-impact manufacturing processes.
6. Go for the Green. Corporate housing providers can select buildings with green certifications like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. These certifications ensure that buildings meet specific sustainability criteria and are operated in an environmentally responsible manner.
7. Alternative Transportation. Providers can encourage guests to use public transportation, carpool, or bike to work by providing information on local transportation options. Providers can also provide incentives for using sustainable transportation methods.
8. Educate and Build Awareness. Corporate Housing Providers can actively educate tenants and staff about sustainable practices through workshops, newsletters, and online resources. This helps raise awareness and encourages everyone to adopt sustainable behaviors.
9. Get Involved. Providers can reach out and engage in community sustainability initiatives such as volunteering for local environmental projects, supporting local green organizations, or participating in community clean-up events.
10. Monitor and Measure. Providers can monitor and measure their sustainability efforts to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and set goals for future sustainability initiatives. This may involve regularly monitoring energy and water usage, waste generation, and carbon emissions.
Dwellworks Move's services, including corporate housing and destination services for emerging, small, and medium sized businesses, are focused on sustainability. We committed to a long-term ESG strategy in 2021 and are working towards net zero emissions in our internal operations and our supply chain. Our corporate housing partners are key to that progress and to greener mobility and business travel overall.
