As the world returns to travel, doing so sustainably and responsibly has never been more important. With growing impacts from climate change and rising demand for more sustainable hospitality options, Hilton is updating its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments to help preserve the destinations where it operates.
Hilton launched its 2030 goals four years ago as part of its ESG strategy, “Travel with Purpose,” setting science-based climate targets. Now, after a review of those goals, evolving climate science, and best practices, Hilton has updated its environmental and social impact goals.
These updated benchmarks include more environmental targets and new social goals to help drive sustainable operations and create opportunity in the communities it serves.
Hilton’s strengthened greenhouse gas emissions goals—which aim to cut emissions intensity by 75 percent in its managed hotels and emissions intensity by 56 percent by 2030 in franchised—have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a global body enabling businesses to set emissions reductions targets in line with the latest climate science.
“Our company was founded more than 100 years ago on the belief that our hospitality has the power to be a force for good,” said Kristin Campbell, general counsel and chief ESG officer, Hilton. “These enhanced, re-validated targets build upon the progress and impact we’ve created since we launched our Travel with Purpose 2030 goals four years ago, as we seek to deepen our commitment to the areas where we can have the greatest impact.”
In June 2022, SBTi validated that Hilton’s updated greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets are aligned with a trajectory to hold global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celcius above pre-industrial levels to help limit the impacts of climate change. The latest climate science from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shows it is still possible to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celcius, but the world is dangerously close to that threshold.
“This is truly a vital moment to reaffirm our commitments,” said Jean Garris-Hand, vice president of global ESG, Hilton. “As climate science continues to evolve, we’re committed to working across every area of our business to engage stakeholders with rigor and discipline to do our part in working toward a net-zero future for the world.”
By committing to this goal, Hilton joins other businesses that are responding to the call from the IPCC and targets set during the 2015 Paris Climate Accords. Hilton has also committed to a carbon reduction goal of below 2 degrees Celcius for its franchised properties.
In addition, Hilton announced a commitment to venture capital fund Fifth Wall’s Climate Tech Fund, which will invest in software, hardware, renewable energy, energy storage, smart buildings, and carbon sequestration technologies to decarbonize the $10.5 trillion real estate industry.
These environmental commitments build on Hilton’s history of setting specific, measurable environmental goals that drive sustainable operations, minimize carbon emissions, and create business efficiencies. Hilton recognizes its responsibility to protect communities and the planet, so the destinations where it operates can remain resilient for generations of travelers to come.
Beyond expanded environmental goals, Hilton has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the communities where it operates by announcing three updated social impact goals:
- Create five million learning and career growth opportunities for team members and communities, with a focus on underrepresented groups, by 2030.
- Impact 20 million community members by 2030 through local support, disaster relief, economic opportunities, and more.
- Promote responsible, inclusive conduct across 100 percent of our value chain operations.
“People have, and will continue to be, at the heart of Hilton and our team members play an integral role in spreading the light and warmth of hospitality through travel. Instead of focusing on social investment, we will measure and emphasize outcomes for how we’re driving real impact in the communities we serve,” said Erica Gordon, senior vice president and global head of public affairs and ESG, and president of the Hilton Global Foundation.
Hilton’s social impact focus will continue to be supported by the Hilton Global Foundation, which, since 2019, has awarded over $5 million to more than 70 non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations that create a positive impact in the communities Hilton serves. The Foundation recently announced 14 new grants to organizations supporting groups disproportionately impacted by COVID‑19 and climate change, including employment support for asylum seekers, providing medical supplies to support local health systems, and building urban community farms.
Beginning August 1, 2022, Hilton team members also will begin contributing the equivalent of $1 per night to the Hilton Team Member Assistance Fund and Hilton Global Foundation with each booking they make through the company’s “Go Hilton” travel benefit. These additional funds will support programs that drive impact in the communities where team members live and work.
