Page 26 - EngineerIT May 2022

OUR ENVIRONMENT: COMMENT

their own impact, businesses can map
their best path to net zero through
scenario planning, in-depth research and
insights, and provide the highest level of
accountability to employees, customers
and stakeholders.”

Responsible businesses
The impacts of COVID-19 have embedded
social responsibility, environmental
awareness and expectations of business
to understand cultural values. The past
two years drove people to reconnect
with their local communities, shifting
the attention to the importance of Inge Huijbrechts Jonathan Hurvitz
sustainability and leading many to
think about their actions and choices. businesses now more than ever, and we need to accelerate global climate action by 2030
In the travel and hospitality industries, in order to ensure a liveable future for both our people and our planet. Much-needed
sustainability has become a mainstream progress can be made by taking everyone in the hospitality value chain on the sustainability
conversation, with both destinations and journey and by setting increasingly ambitious sustainability goals,” says Huijbrechts.
hospitality establishments focusing on “We are proud to be playing a leadership role in the development of the hotel
the environmental impact of travel and sustainability basics, which will launch later this year to establish a common industry
looking for solutions that help restore framework to grow sustainable travel.”
local communities, our environment and
the ecosystem. Sharing as a solution
In line with the SBTi net zero In a world with too much stuff, solutions are everywhere. Tapping into the subscription
standard, and having already introduced economy is one. Subscription-based businesses offer the use of their products or services
successful 100% carbon-neutral to customers on a subscription basis, as opposed to a more traditional transaction where
meetings that automatically offset the customer purchases an item outright.
the carbon footprint of every single “People are re-evaluating their consumption habits and as a result, consumer
meeting and event that takes place behaviour is undergoing a paradigm shift. The value once associated with ownership is
within its properties, Radisson Hotel changing and diminishing,” says Jonathan Hurvitz, CEO of Teljoy.
Group has committed to strengthening “The subscription model lends itself to the idea of a sharing economy, and more
its performance with a net zero carbon sharing means less e-waste. Businesses have a responsibility to adopt practices that
future by 2050. “While net zero by 2050 reduce their carbon footprint if South Africa is to meet its net zero emissions target.
seems far away, we need to take action Teljoy partners with Interwaste to responsibly dispose of all e-waste in an eco-friendly
immediately,” says Inge Huijbrechts, manner and recycles wherever possible.”
global senior vice president sustainability,
security and corporate communications Act now
for the Radisson Hotel Group. Businesses must prioritise climate change initiatives and be cognisant of the
“Our world needs responsible consequences for all industries if they fail to do so. n

Contact Tarryn Bester for all your advertising requirements -

Cell: 072 265 6579 Email: tarrynb@eiapublishing.co.za

EngineerIT | May 2022 | 24