At Cop28, the hotel group has announced it will focus on driving value and improvement at destinations by decarbonising operations and having a more effective approach to waste management.

Iberostar will also focus on developing services and infrastructure that support regenerative tourism, as well as driving accountability through partnerships. 

Figures show that a fourth of waste produced by Iberostar needs innovative disposal solutions whereas scope 3 emissions – emissions not directly produced by a company but derived from its activities and assets – amount to 77% of Iberostar’s total footprint.

According to Iberostar chief sustainability officer Gloria Fluxa, circularity requires redesigning processes as well as fostering innovation and collaborations.

“This transition will ultimately lead us to substantial reductions in carbon emissions, minimising resource extraction, promoting biodiversity restoration, whilst maintaining economic viability so that we can safeguard both natural ecosystems and communities,” Fluxa added. 

As part of the strategy, the company has pledged to reduce food waste by 60% in the next five years, with hotels having a minimum of 65% plant-based offering by 2030.

Iberostar has also vowed its hotels will reduce their residuals by 30% while expanding their sustainable procurement to ruminant meats, tea, coffee, cocoa and sugar.

The roadmap comes as the group has already reduced its energy consumption by 5.7% as well as removed all single-use plastics in the past three years.