Clayton and Maldron Hotels across Ireland and UK recognised for sustainability

45 hotels also accredited for Green Tourism’s Green Meetings certification  

Ireland's largest hotel operator Dalata Hotel Group, has announced that for 2023, the group secured a Green Tourism sustainability certification for all of its Clayton, Maldron and partner Hotels. 

The Group attained the Gold standard in Green Tourism certification for all 48 previously assessed hotels, along with a Gold and Silver for two new hotel additions to the portfolio during the period. 

All 45 hotels that applied were also accredited Gold for ‘Green Meetings’ certification. Dalata has an action plan to achieve Gold across its entire portfolio in the coming years.  

These certifications acknowledge Dalata's ongoing efforts to minimise environmental impact, engage with local communities, and enhance accessibility for both guests and staff, with the recently created Green Meetings standard, evaluating how well venues adhere to environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices of meetings and events. 

To achieve a Gold certification, businesses must demonstrate a strong environmental ethos, implement significant changes to their working practices, and consistently review and maintain them.  

The brand acheieved 27% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions per room sold in 2023 compared to 2019. 

It is on a trajectory to meet its target of reducing energy-related emissions by 20% per room sold by 2026.    

The Group is also implementing energy management projects throughout its existing hotel portfolio, with its modern, efficient portfolio contributing significantly to its sustainability goals. 

The Maldron Hotel Merrion Road, Dublin, and Maldron Hotel Finsbury Park, London, for example, are both built to an ‘A’ Building Energy Rating (BER), utilising metering, LED lighting, and new green technologies to reduce carbon emissions. 

A new dimension this year was the addition of the Green Meetings certification. All hotels with Meetings & Event facilities applied for the certification with all hotels across Ireland and the UK receiving the Gold standard certification. Dalata is the first hotel group to receive the highest standard Green Meeting Gold Certification across all hotels in Ireland and the UK. 

Dalata is said to be actively pursuing participation in the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) with a focus on the Building Sector. 

The Group remains ambitious in the sustainability of its new hotel developments. The building conversion opportunity at St. Andrew Square in Edinburgh will be one of the Group’s first properties to be designed to operate with zero on-site carbon emissions. 

As a conversion scheme, external consultants estimate it has been designed with approximately 70% lower embodied carbon and 50% lower whole life cycle CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) compared with a hypothetical new-build structure.  

Caitriona Conroy, head of operational risk and sustainability of Dalata Hotel Group, said: “As a leader in the hospitality industry, we remain committed to contributing to a more resilient and environmentally conscious future. 

"Retaining the Green Tourism Gold score for most of our hotels is a testament to our commitment to sustainability across all levels of our organisation and we will continue through our actions plans to build on our Gold standard awards.

" I would like to thank all the hotel teams and managers for their dedication in sustaining key sustainability credentials across our portfolio.

Andrea Nicholas, CEO, of Green Tourism, said: “It is fantastic to see how their progressive approach to sustainability has enabled Dalata Hotel Group’s leadership team to achieve both Green Tourism and Green Meetings Gold certification at so many of their hotels across Ireland, the UK and Europe. 

"We are delighted to have been able to support them since 2019, advising on best sustainability practice and monitoring to enable them to reach the exceptional environmental performance standards they are now achieving as a Group.”