Through its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) program, Four Seasons seeks to preserve and regenerate the places in which it operates and leave a positive, enduring impact on its communities.
The company’s ESG program is centered around two pillars: Planet (environmental impact) and People (social impact). Each pillar is supported by specific activities and objectives, with a close eye on how efforts will contribute to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Four Seasons took steps to join the GSTC as a member organization in 2022 and formalized its membership in early 2023.
Designing Sustainable Environments
In the development and operation of Four Seasons properties, they aim to minimize the environmental footprint of initial construction, integrate well-being, and maximize the efficiency of their operations over time. All Four Seasons design and construction projects are required to have sustainability consultants on staff, focused on integrating sustainability into the facilities, building systems, and landscape designs.
All managed properties around the world use a range of strategies to enhance overall building performance, from capturing water runoff for irrigation use to recovering waste heat so as to reduce the energy needed for hot water.
Sustainability Standards
Its current focus is on achieving consistently strong sustainability practices across its global portfolio of properties and seeking opportunities to exceed leading standards where possible. Four Seasons Sustainability Strategy consists of a three-tiered approach combining recognized excellence in environmental certifications (i.e., LEED Gold or equivalent), layered with elements of health and wellness based on the Fitwel standard, and alignment to net zero pathways (i.e., IFLI Zero Carbon, USGBC TRUE Zero Waste, USGBC LEED Zero Water).
It supports its properties around the world in seeking appropriate environmental and ESG certifications, especially the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and certifications recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
Read Four Seasons full 2022 ESG Report here: https://www.fourseasons.com/content/dam/fourseasons/images/web/PDFs/2022-ESG-Report.pdf
Become a Certified Sustainable Hotel
Sustainability certification (also known as an eco-label) for hotels is a voluntary, third-party assessment through an audit to ensure compliance with sustainable tourism standards. GSTC does not conduct certification. Global Certification Bodies (CB) conduct certification, while GSTC acts as the international body for sustainable tourism certification.
Hotels certified by a GSTC-Accredited CB can use the GSTC logo along with the CB’s mark. The logos are also shared with OTAs and other buyers of hotel spaces.
Learn more about how to become certified as a sustainable hotel here.
