Current location site: Global

Community: Ascott will prioritise local employment, mobilise staff and develop partnerships to contribute skills and resources in view of local environmental and social issues.  As a hospitality company that seeks to deliver on experiences, it will also support and promote the appreciation of local cultural heritage to bring vibrant, diverse experiences to guests. This is reflected in its targets to:

• Have all Ascott’s managed and branded properties involved in annual community and cultural heritage activities
• Have all Ascott’s managed and branded properties commit to volunteer hours to support Ascott CARES goals every year

Alliance: With the goal of driving meaningful partnerships, Ascott will continue to be in alliance with external stakeholders to advance sustainability across the destinations it operates in and within the lodging industry. Its goals and commitments for this pillar are to:

• Lead the industry in best practices to ensure sustainable operations across its global portfolio
• Ensure all Ascott’s managed and branded properties are certified to a recognised sustainability standard (GSTC or the equivalent)
• Have all Ascott properties implement CapitaLand Green Lease Programme

Ascott most recently achieved its GSTC-Recognised Standard status, meeting Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)’s Criteria for sustainable tourism. The GSTC Criteria serve as the global standards for sustainability in travel and tourism, built on the key aspects of sustainable management, socio-economic, cultural and environmental impacts. In Singapore in particular, all Ascott properties are expected to achieve full certification by 2025, in line with the goals of the local tourism board’s hotel sustainability roadmap.

With a dedicated global hospitality training arm, the Ascott Centre of Excellence (ACE), Ascott is also committed to further educating and training organisations in delivering on sustainable practices. In collaboration with partners such as Institutes of Higher Learning, ACE will be launching a series of courses in hotel sustainability, including curriculum on driving sustainable human capital related practices within the hospitality industry.

Respect: Under this pillar, Ascott will undertake initiatives in areas including health and safety, diversity, equity and inclusion, human rights and customer engagement. Its targets are to:

• Cultivate a safety-first culture with zero fatality, permanent disability or major injuries across Ascott’s portfolio and its main contractors
  
• Extend 100% ISO14001 and 45001 certifications to all locations Ascott operates in from our existing full certification status in 15 countries
• Achieve diverse mix of associates employed
• Equip associates with future-ready skills under the CapitaLand Building Capability Framework (BCF) which aims to develop a competent, adaptable and future-ready workforce
• Ensure that all associates complete mandatory trainings including but not limited to areas on sustainability, human rights, human trafficking awareness, as well as recruitment policies and practices
• Adopt new solutions or technologies to improve guests’ well-being
• Strengthen customer relationships and attain consistently high levels of guest satisfaction
• Elevate guest experience through technology and innovation

Environment¹: Ascott will focus on low carbon transition, water conservation and resilience, sustainable accommodations as well as waste and circular economy solutions. Ascott’s commitments for this pillar are aligned with CapitaLand Investment’s 2030 Sustainability Masterplan and include:

• Transition to a low-carbon business aligned with science-based targets for a 1.5°C scenario; 46% reduction of GHG emissions². Commit to Net Zero by 2050³
• Reduction of energy intensity by 35% and water intensity by 45%⁴ while increasing the proportion of renewable energy to 35%
• Achieve green building certification for all owned properties
• Achieve 25% recycling rate in day-to-day operations. Full elimination of single-use plastic (SUP) bathroom amenities and bottled water
• Work towards setting an embodied carbon target

Supply Chain: Ascott will engage with its supply chain network to make a positive impact through responsible procurement. Its goals include:

• Have all properties abide by CapitaLand Supply Chain Code of Conduct which influences its supply chain to operate responsibly in the areas of anti-corruption, human rights, health and safety, as well as environmental management
• Commitment to responsible sourcing of all housekeeping and cleaning supplies, as well as bathroom and in-room amenities including towels, linens, coffee and tea
• Build collaborative relationships and work closely with companies Ascott conducts business with to make positive impact on their sustainability performance
• Ensure all procurement associates are fully trained in the area of responsible sourcing

Notes:

¹ Energy and carbon reduction are based on GHG Protocol (operational approach)

² Scopes 1 and 2; from a 2019 baseline

³ Scopes 1 and 2

⁴ Energy and water intensity percentage reductions are from a 2008 baseline