Are You Staying Ahead of Sustainability?

As the hospitality sector navigates a wave of new sustainability regulations and shifting
guest expectations, one question stands out: Are you staying ahead of sustainability?

From tightening building efficiency standards to stricter environmental reporting obligations,
compliance is no longer a box-ticking exercise — it’s fundamental to future success.

For hospitality venues, the ability to anticipate and act on these changes protects asset
value, builds trust with guests and investors, and strengthens operational resilience.

Simon Catterick, CEO at mission: net zero adds “We help clients adopt clear, science-
backed approaches so they can not only meet regulatory expectations but also strengthen
trust with guests, clients and investors.”

Why compliance matters more than ever

In a recent Greengage webinar, our CEO, Simon Catterick highlighted that sustainability
compliance has shifted rapidly from optional to mandatory, with potentially unlimited fines.

According to the Sustainable Consumer Behaviour Index, 67% of UK businesses reported
increased compliance costs last year, and 78% of consumers now consider sustainability in
their purchasing decisions.

Beyond avoiding fines, staying ahead supports access to green finance, enhances brand
reputation, and future-proofs properties through robust property improvement plans (PIPs).

Key frameworks every hospitality business should know

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) & Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES):

An EPC is required when constructing, renting or selling a commercial property. Currently, a
minimum E rating is required, but this will rise to C by 2028 and B by 2030.

TM44 air conditioning inspections:

Mandatory for systems over 12kW, with potentially unlimited fines for non-compliance. Many
hotels have fallen behind on these since the COVID pandemic, but enforcement is now
increasing significantly.

SECR & ESOS reporting:

Larger organisations must report energy and carbon data annually (SECR) and complete
energy audits every four years (ESOS), with the next ESOS phase deadline on 5 December
2025.

Waste, food and operational sustainability

Alongside energy and carbon compliance, food waste and recycling are also under the
spotlight. From March 2024, businesses in England with ten or more full-time employees
must separate food and dry recyclables.

Food waste alone costs the UK hospitality industry over £3.2 billion a year. By reducing
waste, hotels can achieve major cost savings while supporting net zero goals.
Lynsey Penny, Sustainability Sector Specialist at WRAP, who appeared alongside our CEO
Simon, shared practical insights on waste reduction.

WRAP’s Guardians of Grub campaign highlights that engaging team members at all levels
and creating a shared sustainability culture are crucial for long-term success. Hotel case
studies have shown food waste reductions of up to 22%, saving thousands of pounds each
year.

Lynsey emphasised that including waste reduction goals in team training and onboarding,
celebrating successes, and making waste reduction a shared responsibility are vital steps.
This approach ensures that sustainability measures are not just a checklist but embedded
throughout daily operations.

Practical solutions to stay ahead

mission : net zero provides specialist expertise in environmental and sustainability strategy
— practical solutions to stay ahead.

At mission : net zero, we work alongside your in-house teams to support them with clear,
practical steps as part of an ESG roadmap including:

✅ Use tools like the Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative (HCMI) to baseline and track
emissions.
✅ Update EPC and TM44 assessments and align them with medium- and long-term
improvement plans.
✅ Review energy contracts — switching to 100% renewable tariffs can be cost-neutral and
deliver immediate impact.
✅ Engage employees and embed sustainability into training and onboarding processes to
build ownership and accountability.
✅ Implement smart technologies, such as building management systems, to improve
operational efficiency and reduce costs.

Eco-certification: An authentic badge of leadership

Increasingly, investors and guests are looking for evidence of genuine impact. Eco-
certifications such as Green Key, Green Tourism, and EarthCheck provide independent
verification that your hotel meets stringent sustainability standards. Certification not only
mitigates risks and supports marketing but also enhances team engagement and
strengthens guest loyalty.

Looking ahead: Compliance as a catalyst

Compliance should not be viewed merely as a legal obligation but embraced as a powerful
driver of efficiency, cost savings, and long-term resilience. By acting early, hospitality
businesses can stay ahead of tightening regulations, positioning themselves proactively
rather than rushing to catch up later.

Ready to take the next step?

At mission : net zero, we help hotels navigate evolving regulations, achieve certification, and
embed sustainability in a practical, meaningful way. From EPC and TM44 assessments to
SECR and ESOS audits, we turn compliance into competitive advantage, all while
supporting your journey to net zero.

Are You Staying Ahead of Sustainability?