CitizenM pledges green building commitment in latest ESG report

Hotel and lifestyle brand CitizenM has highlighted its latest green achievements and priorities in its annual ESG report, which details an on-going commitment to achieving 100% green building certifications. The report outlines how the brand, which operates 31 properties, is “setting a new standard” for ESG performance in the hospitality industry. It highlights the group’s focus on credible ESG data, sustaining high green building standards, rolling out salary transparency projects for employees, and an “ambitious” decarbonization plan across its global portfolio. The achievements outlined include a detailed blueprint for building and operating healthier, greener hotels, increasing support for people and communities, and heightening the brand’s transparency through stronger reporting and disclosure practices. The ESG report also reveals that CitizenM has achieved and now maintains the highest five-star rating from the third-party sustainability benchmarking group GRESB, which offers an objective, external verification of the company’s energy, emissions, waste, and water consumption figures. In addition, specific highlights of citizenM’s achievements detailed in the new ESG report include: 100% of citizenM hotels are powered by green electricity. Diversion of 95% of waste away from landfills in 2022. Securing an industry-leading €480m (£411m) sustainability-linked loan for key properties in citizenM’s portfolio. Avoiding the use of 1.7 million plastic bottles through new operational policies. Setting new cleaning standards to minimise chemical usage during housekeeping. Reaching over €1.5m (£1.28m) donated to the citizenMovement charity focused on shortening the distance between people and opportunities. Klaas van Lookeren Campagne, CEO of CitizenM, said: “As a responsible company, it’s important for citizenM to be on top of topics that impact the planet, our people and our business. This is why we steadfastly accelerated our ESG efforts. There’s still much work to be done, but our progress so far makes us confident in achieving our ambitious goals.”