A Whitbread colleague checks on cup recycling
ITP member companies are performing well on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI).
Whitbread has boosted its ranking this year, making it the highest ranked UK business in its sector.
The Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) is the leading global index that evaluates the sustainability performance of over 2,000 companies worldwide.
Whitbread has been placed in the DJSI World Index for three years, and this year moves up from third to second place in the Restaurants & Leisure Facilities category, behind only Sodexo, representing a 7% increase from 2017.
Whitbread is committed to doing business the right way and this means reporting transparently and honestly so that its teams, customers and investors can easily learn how well the business is performing in achieving its sustainability goals.
Whitbread is marked highest in its industry in the following areas:
Risk and Crisis Management, Brand Management, Tax Strategy, Operational Eco-Efficiency, Climate Strategy, Social Reporting, Corporate citizenship and philanthropy.
The improvement of Whitbread’s DJSI performance highlights its continuous efforts to become a more sustainable business. This year its sustainability programme, Force for Good, has included a commitment to recycle 500 million takeaway cups by 2020, sourcing 100% renewable energy across its owned estate and a commitment to achieve a 20% reduction in sugar by 2020.
Solar panels are fitted to the Premier Inn South Downs
Welcoming the improved performance, Whitbread’s Director of Sustainability James Pitcher said, “Transparency in the way we report is a key part of our sustainability programme and it helps to ensure we always act as a force for good. As a key indicator of sustainability for our teams, guests and investors, the DJSI provides a fantastic benchmark for our performance against our competitors. We are delighted to be included in the DJSI world index for a third year running – the highest ranked British brand in our sector – and our improvement of 7% highlights our dedication to continuously improve the work we are doing to be a more responsible business.”
Other hotel groups ranked in the Index include Hilton which was named Leader in the North America Index for its corporate responsibility and sustainability performance. Katie Fallon, EVP, global corporate affairs, Hilton, said, “We’re honored to be recognised for our commitments to cut our environmental footprint in half and double our investment in social impact by 2030. Every day our 5,400 hotels around the world play a role to protect the planet for future generations of travellers.”
The InterContinental Hotels Group – IHG – was named Industry Leader in the Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines category for its culture of responsible business, including environmental criteria, human rights, and risk and crisis management. Yasmin Diamond, Executive Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs, IHG, said, “At IHG, our purpose is to provide ‘True Hospitality’ for everyone, and this is central to our long-standing commitment to operating our business responsibly in all aspects of our work. As the gold standard for sustainability performance, we are very proud to be listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for the second year running. This serves as recognition for the hard work and dedication of our people, owners and partners around the world.”
Whitbread, Hilton and IHG are all members of the International Tourism Partnership, a unique membership organisation working with the world’s leading hotel groups helping them collaborate for greater positive impacts across the four critical issues of carbon, water, youth employment and human rights.
Other hotels ranked in the DJSI include Las Vegas Sands, Shangri-La and Melia Hotels International.
