The global hospitality and tourism industry accounts for an estimated 8% of global

greenhouse gas emissions and the proportion is to rise as nations embrace tourism and
hospitality industry. Sustainability as a matter of fact becomes a critical issue to be pondered
upon.
One of the measures for resolving environmental concerns could be through marketing and
operational strategies of the hotels; which is already happening by way of focus on water
conservation and towel use. Contrary to popular belief, hotels with environmental orientation
that have implemented green practices, positively increased their Return on investment, sales,
et al.
Employees at all levels and as a group, play a critical role in implementation of policies and
strategies of the organization. To facilitate such behavior, top level and middle level
managers envisage processes that could engage employees in environmentally friendly
practices.
Some of the methods for driving individual behavior include motivation, transformational
leadership, training et al. Transformational leadership management style provided better
working conditions and incentives, which improved the quality of work life for hotel
employees. Nevertheless, self-determination is a crucial factor also.
Informal groups can make or break an organization which is proven by the bank wiring room
experiment conducted by Elton Mayo. Behavioral norms set by the group has a powerful
influence over the productivity of the group and the successful implementation of
organizational policies. Likewise, self determination can play an intrinsic role in driving
group behaviors. Implementation of policies by way of rules and policies have been an
effective approach towards sustainability.
All the above factors are covered under the broader criterion of organizational policy. Several
studies have proposed that articulating or publishing and environmental policy is a critical
driver that encourages employees to engage in environmental industry. Researchers have
claimed that an organization’s environmental policy (OEP), as part of a larger green human
resource management initiative, led staff to feel pride in their organizations and embrace eco-
friendly behaviors.
Environmental training as an organizational policy is an effective measure for establishing
routine for environmental stewardship.
One of the vital factors to be considered here is communication. Communication at all levels
and in all forms becomes essential in many ways like, conveying organizational policies,
receiving employee feedback et al.
Organizational citizenship behavior towards the environment is another determinant to be
considered. Employee engagement towards sustainability without reward incentives becomes
a strenuous task.
To epitomize, in today’s era, need for adoption of sustainability practices by hotels is the
need of the hour. A mere awareness and realization of the speedy exhaustion of resources by
the businesses could help optimize the use and save them for future generations. Employees
being the human asset of the organization could help save the environment and increase the
profits of the organization. Hotel’s organizational environment policy should include energy
and water conservation, recycling and waste reduction and offering modular appliances and
amenities that themselves lead to sustainability. However, achieving the desired employee
behavior would require committed and dedicated superiors; who by way of their proficient
knowledge and skills could lead the employees and organization onto the path of
environmental protection and sustainability. Adoption of holistic view and a paradigm shift in
organization’s outlook also becomes necessary.