{"id":11690,"date":"2016-11-04T15:11:57","date_gmt":"2016-11-04T19:11:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/the-hotel-industrys-roadmap-to-solving-diminishing-water-supply\/"},"modified":"2016-11-04T15:11:57","modified_gmt":"2016-11-04T19:11:57","slug":"the-hotel-industrys-roadmap-to-solving-diminishing-water-supply","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/the-hotel-industrys-roadmap-to-solving-diminishing-water-supply\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hotel Industry\u2019s Roadmap to Solving Diminishing Water Supply"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Urgency of Water Management & The Hotel Industry\u2019s Roadmap<\/strong><\/p>\n

The World Economic Forum determined water supply is one of the top global risks over the next decade due to impacts of climate change.[1]<\/a> United Nations predicts a 40% water supply shortfall globally<\/strong> by 2030.[2]<\/a><\/p>\n

Hotels account for about 15% of total water use in the U.S. commercial sector[3]<\/a> and, that water use, accounts for ~11% of their operating expenses.[4]<\/a><\/p>\n

The hotel industry has proven the economic viability of reducing water consumption and has provided a road map for other commercial and residential properties to reduce their water footprint.<\/p>\n

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) as a Leader<\/strong><\/p>\n

In partnership with the Water Footprint Network, IHG recently completed the industry\u2019s most comprehensive water risk-assessment. In 2013, IHG announced it would reduce water consumption per occupied room in water stressed areas by 12% compared to 2012 levels by 2017.[5]<\/a> Its Green Engage System allows its hotels to track, measure and report on water use[6]<\/a> and offers over 200 Green Solutions. As of 2015, this initiative has caused a 5% decrease.[7]<\/a> Based on hotel level data, 1% of water savings can equate to approximately $5,000 of savings on the bottom-line providing a meaningful financial incentive.[8]<\/a><\/p>\n

IHG Initiatives<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Green Engage System suggests many operational changes that IHG hotels have been able to successfully roll out:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. In 2014, after sever drought in California, IHG sent toolkits to equip hotels with aerators<\/u> to minimize the water flow in faucets. Water use per occupied room decreased 10% and six underwent a complete bathroom renovation (~2.4 million gallons of annual water savved).[9]<\/a> These kits are being rolled out to 50 additional properties.[10]<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. InterContinental San Francisco saves about 2 million gallons of water a year with aerators, back-of-house water restriction features<\/u>, and a sustainable HVAC cooling water treatment<\/u> (~1 million gallons of water saved per year).[11]<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Crowne Plaza San Diego is almost 100% below IHG\u2019s benchmark utilizing aerators and timers on water appliances<\/u>.[12]<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Next Steps on Water Management<\/strong><\/p>\n

    My recommendations on next steps focus on the highest sources of water use in hotels:<\/p>\n

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    [13]<\/a><\/p>\n

    Guest Rooms & Bedrooms (30%)<\/strong><\/p>\n