The Hospitality Professionals Association (HOSPA), in collaboration with the Global Sustainability Index (GSI), recently gathered top sustainability experts for The Great Green Balloon Debate at Bankside Hotel, London.
A unique event aimed at breaking down complex sustainability challenges, it also provided actionable guidance for hospitality leaders striving to meet environmental goals.
The guest speakers were told to imagine they were in a hot air balloon that was losing height rapidly. Only one person could remain in the basket to avoid it coming down – and that person would have to make the most compelling case that their area of expertise would do the most to help ‘save our planet.’ After having five minutes each to present their case, it was over to the audience to cast their votes for the winner.
And with the individual talks now able to view online via the HOSPA website, the association has shared some of the top sustainability tips gleaned during the day, from the nine industry experts who presented their case:
1) Embrace clean technologyAdam Hill, Heuvel: Digital infrastructure is an unseen yet escalating environmental concern. Currently accounting for 3% of global energy consumption, digital use is predicted to surge to 14% by 2040. Adam advised businesses to choose energy-efficient tech solutions, reduce digital waste and regularly audit their digital usage footprint to minimise impact.
2) Optimise waste managementAlex Grant, Grundon Waste Management: Waste management providers are valuable sustainability partners. Businesses should fully utilise their provider's expertise to create efficient, eco-friendly waste systems. Leveraging innovations in recycling, composting and waste reduction are critical steps toward minimising an establishment’s overall carbon footprint.
3) Focus on reforestation and ecosystem restorationAmanda Bronkhorst, Just One Tree: This year’s debate winner advocated that sustainability must go beyond conservation. By actively restoring ecosystems, especially through reforestation, hospitality leaders can support biodiversity, tackle climate change and contribute to environmental and social well-being. Amanda encouraged investing in reforestation projects as an impactful, long-term commitment to sustainability.
4) Drive education and behavioural changeJames Shorey, Planet Mark: Sustainability begins with an informed team and community. James emphasised that achieving Net Zero demands company-wide education and behavioural shifts. Engaging and educating both staff and guests on eco-friendly practices can accelerate progress and embed sustainability into daily operations.
5) Electrify your energy useJason Simpson, RAW Charging: Hospitality businesses can dramatically improve energy efficiency by transitioning to electrified heating and transportation. For instance, modern heat pumps achieve 300-400% efficiency compared to gas boilers, and electric vehicles outperform petrol models fourfold in energy conversion. Jason recommended prioritising electric options wherever possible to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
6) Utilise the sharing economyLiam Jones, Olio: Reducing waste, especially food waste, is a critical step in sustainability. With 65% of global greenhouse emissions linked to household consumption, Liam advised hospitality businesses to embrace sharing and redistribution platforms that prevent waste. Donating surplus food and encouraging resource-sharing can curb emissions and reduce costs.
7) Invest in regenerative agricultureDr. Vincent Walsh, Regenerative Systems Expert: Sustainable food sourcing can have a substantial impact on the environment. Vincent highlighted regenerative agriculture as a powerful method for restoring ecosystems, improving soil health and reducing pollution. Sourcing ingredients from regenerative farms allows hospitality businesses to support an agricultural system that gives back to the environment.
8) Commit to a circular economyTommie Eaton, @BambuuBrush: A circular economy model offers a simple yet comprehensive approach to sustainability by focusing on reducing, reusing and recycling. Tommie suggests incorporating circular practices into all operations, such as choosing recyclable materials and reducing waste, to build a sustainable, future-proof business model.
9) Advance toward Net ZeroSue Williams, Positive Hospitality: To meet the demands of evolving legislation and societal expectations, Sue advocated for embracing Net Zero targets. Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources and adopting low-carbon technologies will be crucial as hospitality businesses aim to future-proof operations and mitigate environmental impact.
Amanda Bronkhorst from Just One Tree was crowned the winner of the debate on the day. Presenting a compelling argument that limiting our negative impact on the planet is no longer enough, Amanda emphasised that we need to 'restore' – and trees do exactly that. Reforestation and restoring nature tackles the dual crisis of climate change and biodiversity loss, while addressing other complex social and environmental issues.
In the wake of the event, Jane Pendlebury, CEO of HOSPA, remarked: “Sustainability isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Each expert brought invaluable insights that are directly applicable to our industry, from the way we manage waste to how we source energy and food. This advice offers a roadmap for businesses to start making measurable, positive changes today.”
Sarah Duncan, author of The Sustainable Business Book, who moderated the event, said: “Standard sustainability events can sometimes come across as a bit dry and overly earnest, which is understandable as it’s an important and serious subject. The aim of this event was to highlight the complexity of sustainability and, ultimately, the need for collaboration – but in a fun and engaging way.
“Although there had to be a winner on the night, in truth there were no winners or losers in the debate. Everyone is in the same basket and all elements can contribute in some way to a better world.”
For those who couldn’t attend, each expert’s presentation is available to view via https://www.hospa.org/hospawebinarsandevents. HOSPA encourages all hospitality leaders to explore these resources and draw practical inspiration from this essential conversation on sustainability.
The Global Sustainability Index offers a platform that enables venues to collect and synchronise sustainability data, giving them oversight of their position and providing a clear, accurate set of data to share with multiple audiences at the click of a button.
For more information on the Global Sustainability Index, please visit: https://gsi-hospitality.com/.
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