Measurement

Measuring sustainability is a process of collecting and analyzing sustainability-related data. Comparisons require benchmarks and time considerations.

When measuring sustainability, two key equations should be considered:

Sustainability = People + Planet + Profit

Industry Issues

· What specific items of hotel operations should be measured?

· How are life cycle impacts of hospitality operations addressed?

· What is the benefit of one sustainability initiative when compared to another?

· How can companies with a large portfolio of hotels manage all the data required to measure carbon footprints, water usage, and waste generation?

· How can hotels meet the requests of meeting planners for measuring the environmental impact of specific meetings?

Solutions

· Pursue industry consensus on measurement items

· Consider measurement capabilities and necessities when drafting procurement standards

· Design measurement programs at property and portfolio levels

· Implement measurement tools, software, and programs that facilitate data collection and leverage the information provided

· Set a scope for measuring the impacts of initiatives through their life cycle