The tourism and hospitality industry is particularly vulnerable to climate change, energy transitions, and environmental degradation—existential threats to Europe and the world. To tackle these challenges, the European Green Deal aims to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy, ensuring:
No net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
Economic growth decoupled from resource use
No person and no place left behind
On 11 December 2019, the European Commission unveiled the European Green Deal as a growth strategy. But what does that mean? A growth strategy is more than just a vision or mission statement; it’s a roadmap backed by strong political will to drive meaningful transitions. And let’s be honest—these transitions are long overdue. Sometimes, it’s astounding to reflect on how humanity allowed such environmental degradation, driven by egoism and convenience, with little regard for future generations.
Commitments and Challenges
All 27 EU Member States have committed to making the EU the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. This involves reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels). If this sounds familiar, it’s likely because many firms, including those in hospitality, are already measuring and reporting their CO2 emissions and other sustainability metrics.
However, the picture remains complex, especially for the hospitality sector. This industry straddles real estate and services, encompassing diverse operations like food and catering, accommodation, and wellness. These activities are both human- and resource-intensive, making sustainability efforts crucial. Yet, ensuring that every department and employee understands their responsibilities and contributions is not a small task. Managers and executives often get bogged down in daily operations, which can overshadow broader strategic goals.
Overcoming Overwhelm
The EU Green Deal is expansive, comprising over 150 directives and regulations across 11 areas (see Figure 1). Some of the key points:
Standardisation for Sustainability/ESG ReportingStandardised frameworks enhance transparency and comparability, enabling investors to redirect capital towards cleaner companies and sectors. The green transition requires significant investment, and governments alone cannot fund it.
Global InfluenceMany EU regulations extend their impact beyond Europe, affecting non-EU competitors. Sustainability regulations are proliferating worldwide, reflecting a shared global priority.
Economic CompetitivenessWhile implementing these changes may incur costs and short-term difficulties, they also address long-term competitiveness by fostering innovation, resilience, and more ESG-friendly solutions.
Despite these complexities, everyone in the hospitality sector needs to embrace new business models, decision-making processes, and reporting requirements. Without collective industry participation, the green transition won’t succeed. The “No person and no place left behind” principle underscores the need for inclusivity in this transformation. Hotelschool The Hague offers two master’s programmes to prepare professionals for these challenges: a Master’s in Leading Hotel Transformation (MA) and an MBA in International Hospitality Management. These programmes focus on digital transformation and the circular economy, equipping students with the skills to navigate and lead in a rapidly evolving industry.
Feel free to reach out if you want to learn more about the EU Green Deal. For more information please send an email to Melinda Ratkai.
More from Melinda: Can you deliver what you promised? Expectations vs. reality, read here.
Nina de GraafHotelschool The Hague
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