A groundbreaking study proves the power of collective purchasing at fast-tracking Net-Zero Hospitality | News
In a significant step towards decarbonising the entire sector, the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (WSHA) today announced the successful completion of a ground-breaking feasibility study into the collective purchasing of sustainable energy for the global hospitality sector.
Supported by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) along with industry giants Accor, Radisson Hotel Group, American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), STX Group and EY, the groundbreaking research explored how hospitality companies can work together 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 can also provide a practical path for hospitality companies seeking greater energy price stability, improved access to renewable electricity and greater resilience in an increasingly uncertain energy landscape.
Following these groundbreaking findings, WSHA has immediately launched a call to action, inviting organizations across the hospitality, travel, energy and financial sectors to join forces now to shape the next phase of development.
Glenn Mandziuk, Chief Executive Officer of WSHA said: “Hospitality companies are operating in a rapidly changing energy environment, characterized by increasing demand, market volatility, energy security concerns and growing expectations around climate action.
This initiative is not just about reducing emissions. It’s about helping industry secure access to renewable energy, improve long-term energy resilience, control energy costs and accelerate progress on climate goals. The feasibility study shows that there is a credible path forward. The next step is to bring together organizations that want to help turn that opportunity into action.”
A business-led approach to decarbonising industry
Energy costs remain a crucial operational cost item for the hospitality sector. While individual companies are eager to strengthen energy resilience and protect themselves from price volatility, they often face major obstacles.
This feasibility study proves that a collaborative purchasing model effectively removes these barriers, giving individual organizations the scale and influence needed to address market complexity and seize renewable energy opportunities.
The study identified a number of potential benefits, including:
Lock in Price Stability: Provides greater visibility of long-term energy prices and protects companies from market volatility.
Unlocking renewable energy: Opens up opportunities for purchasing high-quality green electricity that are often beyond the reach of individual companies.
Shield Operations: Improves energy resilience and protects companies from unpredictable market shocks.
Fast-track decarbonization: Accelerates sector-wide climate targets and net positive commitments.
Drive collective innovation: Creates immediate opportunities for shared learning and joint action across the sector.
Christopher Imbsen, SVP Advocacy & Research, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC): “As demand grows and competition increases, energy security and cost predictability are now critical for hotels around the world. This feasibility study shows that by joining forces, hospitality companies can hedge their energy costs and access renewable energy opportunities with scale and pricing power that are individually unattainable – and with a simpler operational structure. It’s a crucial opportunity to strengthen resilience and together accelerate our journey to a low-carbon economy.”
Evan Konwiser, Chief Product & Strategy Officer, Amex GBT: “American Express Global Business Travel is supporting the travel industry on its journey to a low-carbon economy with this brand new initiative designed to unlock sustainable energy for the hospitality industry and beyond. We look forward to advancing this project 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 critical role in advancing decarbonization initiatives in the hospitality sector, serving as both a trusted advisor and an implementation partner. Building on this experience, we are proud to deepen our commitment to the sector by helping translate ambitious sustainability goals into measurable, sustainable results.”
Looking ahead
Although participation in this feasibility study does not imply participation in a future implementation phase, the study shows that collective purchasing can expand across the entire travel and tourism value chain, taking into account certain conditions related to the business model of hospitality groups – including accommodation providers within global supply chains.
This cooperation framework will be crucial for strengthening the resilience, competitiveness and sustainability of global tourism. WSHA invites forward-thinking organizations to take a step forward now, help shape the next phase of development and accelerate the transition to a net positive future.
