Landmark Study Proves Power of Collective Purchasing in Fast-Tracking Net-Zero Hospitality | News
In a major step toward industry-wide decarbonisation, the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (WSHA) today announced the successful completion of a pioneering feasibility study on collective renewable energy purchasing for the global hospitality industry.
Supported by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) alongside industry giants Accor, Radisson Hotel Group, American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), STX Group, and EY, the landmark study explored how hospitality businesses can collaborate to unlock renewable energy, strengthen long-term market resilience, and accelerate the transition to a net-positive future.
The findings indicate that a collaborative approach is not only feasible, but it could also provide a practical pathway for hospitality businesses seeking greater energy price stability, improved access to renewable electricity and enhanced resilience in an increasingly uncertain energy landscape.
Following these landmark findings, WSHA has launched an immediate Call to Action, inviting organisations across the hospitality, travel, energy, and finance sectors to join forces now to help shape the next phase of development.
Glenn Mandziuk, WSHA Chief Executive Officer said: “Hospitality businesses are operating in a rapidly changing energy environment, characterised by increasing demand, market volatility, energy security concerns and growing expectations around climate action.
This initiative is not simply about reducing emissions. It is about helping the industry secure access to renewable energy, improve long-term energy resilience, manage energy costs and accelerate progress towards climate commitments. The feasibility study demonstrates that there is a credible pathway forward. The next step is bringing together organisations that want to help turn that opportunity into action.”
A Business-Led Approach to Industry Decarbonisation
Energy costs remain a critical operational expense for the hospitality sector. While individual businesses are eager to strengthen energy resilience and insulate themselves from price volatility, they often hit major roadblocks.
This feasibility study proves that a collaborative procurement model effectively dismantles those barriers—giving individual organisations the scale and leverage needed to navigate market complexity and lock in renewable energy opportunities.
The study identified a number of potential benefits, including:
Lock in Price Stability: Secures greater, long-term energy price visibility and shields businesses from market volatility.
Unlock Renewable Energy: Opens up premium green electricity procurement opportunities that are often out of reach for individual businesses.
Shield Operations: Enhances energy resilience and protects businesses from unpredictable market shocks.
Fast-Track Decarbonisation: Accelerates industry-wide climate goals and net-positive commitments.
Drive Collective Innovation: Creates immediate opportunities for shared learning and collaborative action across the sector.
Christopher Imbsen, SVP Advocacy & Research, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC): “As demand grows and competition intensifies, energy security and cost predictability are now business-critical for hotels worldwide. This feasibility study shows that by joining forces, hospitality businesses can hedge their energy costs and access renewable energy opportunities with a scale and pricing power that would be out of reach individually – and with a simpler operational structure. It’s a pivotal opportunity to strengthen resilience and accelerate our decarbonisation trajectory together.”
Evan Konwiser, Chief Product & Strategy Officer, Amex GBT: “American Express Global Business Travel is supporting the travel industry in its decarbonization journey with this brand-new initiative designed to unlock renewable energy for the hospitality industry and beyond. We look forward to advancing this project together with our hotel partners to increase and improve access to renewable energy and clean electricity.”
\Austin C. Wentworth, Head of North America, Strive by STX: “STX Group has played a pivotal role in advancing decarbonization initiatives across the hospitality sector, serving as both a trusted advisor and implementation partner. Building on this experience, we are proud to deepen our commitment to the industry by helping turn ambitious sustainability goals into measurable, lasting outcomes.”
Looking Ahead
Whilst participation in this feasibility study does not imply participation in any future implementation phase, the study demonstrates that collective procurement can expand across the entire travel and tourism value chain, taking into account certain conditions associated with the business model of hospitality groups—including accommodation providers within global supply chains.
This collaborative framework will be vital to strengthening the resilience, competitiveness, and sustainability of global tourism. WSHA invites forward-thinking organisations to step forward now, help shape the next phase of development, and accelerate the transition to a net-positive future.
