It is important to have a clear policy with stated objectives and targets that can be made visible to all stakeholders. Below is an example of an environmental & social responsibility policy for a fictional hotel in Switzerland that has partnered with a leading certification provider:
Designing Environmental & Social Responsibility Policies
Environmental and Social Sustainability Policy
Hotel X is committed to achieving best practice environmental and social sustainability and has partnered with X, the world’s leading Benchmarking and Certification provider.
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Hotel X is a 125 room accommodation complex in the Swiss mountain resort St. Moritz. The hotel includes a 2,200 m2 Spa with 8 treatment rooms, an indoor and outdoor pool, saunas and steam rooms, whirlpool and relaxation areas, gym and fitness studio, a juice bar, 2 restaurants, 1 lobby, and lounge area, cigar lounge, 2 boardrooms, 2 ballrooms, a private cinema. The closest water body is lake St. Moritz, located right in front of the town.
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At Hotel X, we recognize that the natural environment around us is the main driver for tourism in the region and that the activities of our hotel have the potential for negative impacts on this habitat and its community. Our Environmental Management System of the Certification Provider X helps us to properly manage these impacts.
Through collaboration with our associates, hotel owners, suppliers, business partners, and guests, we actively work to reduce the environmental impact of and risk to our business by focusing on critical areas including carbon emissions, energy, food & beverage, indoor environmental quality, supply chain, waste, and water. These environmental performance indicators will be measured and summarized through annual reporting and used to continually improve our annual benchmarking. Additionally, we are committed to integrating leading environmental practices and sustainability principles aimed at:
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Protecting our natural resources
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Supporting local products, businesses, and suppliers
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Establishing and reporting on key environmental performance indicators
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Minimizing waste and pollution
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Raising environmental awareness among our associates, guests, and communities
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Complying to legal principles
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Supporting local employment
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Committing to fair trade principles
We acknowledge that achieving our goals and objectives will require many changes to be made over time. However, we strongly believe that our sustainability efforts serve the interests of both current and future generations and constitute the foundation for long-lasting success and competitive advantage.
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Signature Date
Here you should state your commitment to be a force for good and if you have partnered with any accreditors.
It is essential to recognize and state the importance of your surroundings as well as how you can be an impact on them.
Indicate the scope and key features of your organization or establishment. If you are located near a source of natural value, this should be indicated as well.
Confirm your dedication, willingness, and ability to work with all types of stakeholders to improve adverse sustainable impacts.
Acknowledge and reaffirm that your targets or goals will need to change and improve over time, however, you are here to serve the interests of our planet.