Guest blog from Tia Chauhan, Beyond Bamboo

 

As a recent university graduate, studying International Development and Politics immersed me within the complexities and interconnectedness of sustainability and other global issues. Alongside my studies, I worked for a sustainable procurement company, Beyond Bamboo, starting as a Sustainable Procurement Lead before transitioning into the role of a Client Services Manager.

These roles have given me an insight into hotels and the sustainability initiatives they are driving forward, as well as enabling me to get involved with the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. I was fortunate enough to be part of the youth panel at the 2023 Autumn Summit, discussing how purpose-driven companies can attract, retain and inspire the labour force of the future. Through this panel discussion, I was able to bring to light the importance of including a diverse range of voices, as we strive towards a more equitable and sustainable future.

The Issue

Climate change disproportionately affects ethnic minorities and working-class people, so why do they not have a seat at the table? This is a fundamental question that ultimately continues to undermine any solutions put forward to tackling climate change. Despite being at the forefront of this crisis, these groups often find themselves side-lined in discussions and decisions that impact their lives the most. Climate change poses an existential threat to the planet, changing both physical and social environments through an increase in natural disasters detrimental to societies, and disruptions to food and energy production. This not only creates a more uninhabitable environment for us, but takes a toll on human health, mortality rates, and public health/healthcare systems , and these consequences are disproportionately experienced by marginalised groups.

These inequitable impacts on ethnic minorities and working class people have been described as the ‘climate gap’. The climate gap refers to the unequal impacts of climate change on marginalised communities, where they often face greater risks and fewer resources for adaptation, leading to climate injustice. This is evident in the interactions between the Global North and Global South, and the disparities between emissions and climate impacts. The average carbon footprint in Zambia is 0.36 tonnes per person per year, less than one-tenth of the UK average, and yet while the UK suffers from minimal severe natural disasters, Zambia experienced a prolonged drought in 2021 which left over 1 million people in need of food assistance. The climate gap also exists within nations, where in the United States, thousands of low-income or minority communities live next to heavily polluting industrial sites, known as ‘sacrifice zones’. Due to these sacrifice zones, Hispanics and African Americans breathe in 63% and 56% more pollution than they make respectively, whereas Caucasians are exposed to 17% less air pollution than they make.

These harrowing climate injustices, and the climate gap that exists, are inherently linked to historical injustices regarding colonialism, racism, wealth and power. These deep rooted injustices have denied ethnic minorities and working class people a seat at the table, where environmental organisations and programmes have generally failed to consider and attend to their concerns and expertise. Climate change is not only an environmental problem: it is interconnected with different social systems, privileges and embedded injustices, and affects people of different class, race, gender and geography unequally. To strive towards a more sustainable future means involving a diverse range of voices to encapsulate all impacts of climate change, and collaborate to build more effective solutions and strategies.

The Solution

Hotels account for 2% of the 5% global CO2 emitted by the tourism sector , and are facing increasing pressure to address their environmental impact and adopt sustainable practices. While many hotels have embarked on their sustainability journey, progress remains limited unless a diverse range of voices and backgrounds are included in the discussions and decisions. So what can hotels do to ensure they are more inclusive when striving for sustainability?

1. Build a foundation of knowledge

The biggest barrier to inclusive sustainability in hotels is often a lack of understanding about how to effectively engage and support ethnic minorities and working class communities in sustainable practices. By prioritising collaboration and education, hotels can build a foundation of knowledge integral to working towards inclusive sustainability.

How?

  • Seek out training programs, workshops, and resources that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), as well as sustainable practices.
  • Form partnerships with local organisations that serve these communities to gain insights into their unique needs and challenges related to sustainability.
  • Collaborate with organisations such as the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance or Beyond Bamboo, who specialise in community engagement and sustainability, and can further enhance understanding.

Why?

  • Deepen the understanding of cultural, economic and social factors that influence sustainability for these communities – the specific needs and barriers faced by ethnic minorities and working class people – creating more relevant and effective initiatives.
  • Build better relationship and trust with communities, so that you can drive meaningful change, while also creating a positive impact in the communities you serve.
2. Evaluate diversity, equality and inclusion policies

Change starts from within. When beginning to implement strategies for achieving inclusive sustainability, hotels should evaluate their existing Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) policies to ensure they address the needs of ethnic minorities and working class people.

How?

  • Conduct and evaluation that not only identifies gaps in current policies, but also how policies can be strengthened to promote sustainable practices.
  • Policies should include aspects of, and be intertwined with, sustainability, and recognise how these communities can be both impacted by and contribute to sustainable practices.
  • Implement inclusive hiring practices that consider candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds, including outreach to community organisations and educational institutions that serve underrepresented groups.

Why?

  • Actively gives underrepresented communities a platform for their needs to be heard, and brings a fresh perspective to sustainability initiatives.
  • Ensures recruitment efforts and initiatives implemented are equitable and just, instead of inadvertently perpetuating existing inequalities.
3. Empower from within

Following on from evaluating DEI policies, it is equally important to empower employees and individuals to express their voice and give their opinion – or else the diversity doesn’t matter!

How?

  • Encourage all individuals to speak up on sustainability, regardless of the hierarchy and status of employees, by creating an inclusive culture where each individual is valued.
  • Provide career development opportunities in sustainability and invest in the professional growth of employees.
  • Involve working-class and ethnic minority communities within the decision-making processes related to sustainability.

Why?

  • Leads to more comprehensive and effective solutions when there is inclusivity and the concerns of those marginalised are heard and valued.
  • Results in the creation of policies that are not only inclusive, but also directly responsive to the specific needs of underrepresented communities.
4. Consult with the local people

One of the best ways to approach inclusive sustainability often lies within the location of the hotel itself! No one understand the communities’ pressing concerns regarding sustainability more than the local residents around the hotel – the hotel has entered into their community, so learn from them and see where there is space to support.

How?

  • Partner with local businesses and community organisations – especially those led by or serving ethnic minorities and working class people – leading to collaborative initiatives that directly address community needs.
  • Establish feedback mechanisms, such as town hall meetings, surveys and focus groups, to remain responsive to community concerns and priorities.

Why?

  • Enables you to tap into the knowledge and resources of the local people, and equally share your knowledge and resources with the community.
  • Adjust your sustainability strategies in real time to be more effective and aligned with community values.
5. Consult with a diverse base of consumers

Understanding the diverse preferences and needs of consumers is critical for developing effective sustainability initiatives.

How?

  • Conduct consumer research to tailor your offerings, making sustainability more accessible and relevant to all communities.
  • Invite consumers to actively participate in the journey towards sustainability, providing a scheme where hotel guests can volunteer their time in local sustainability projects and initiatives.

Why?

  • Discover specific products or services that are particularly appealing to underrepresented communities, or identify misconceptions that need addressing, creating more inclusivity.
  • Cultivate a shared sense of purpose amongst guests: consumers feel that they are not just staying at a hotel, but contributing to something larger – a collective mission to create a positive impact on the planet and society.
The Future

The future of sustainability in the hotel industry is inherently tied to embracing diversity and inclusion. By welcoming a variety of perspectives, hotels can identify more innovative and effective solutions to address the challenges of climate change and environmental impact. Involving diverse voices, particularly from ethnic minorities and working-class communities, ensures that sustainability initiatives are tailored to their specific needs and concerns resulting in more practical and impactful approaches. To address climate change equitably and effectively, it is crucial that hotels not only recognise the disproportionate impact on these communities, but actively involve them in crafting solutions. Their lived experiences and insights are essential for creating more inclusive, just, and sustainable practices within the hospitality sector.

Climate change disproportionately affects ethnic minorities and working-class people, so it’s about time they have a seat at the table.