12 STEPS TOWARD

SUSTAINABILITY
USER GUIDE
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DTCM, THROUGH DUBAI SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

(DST) IS PLEASED TO PRESENT YOU

With this practical user guide consists
of 12 simple steps any hotel in Dubai
can adopt, in order to improve its
sustainability level and grow as a green
leader in the community.
Our aim is to advise on best practices
for hotel establishments regardless of
size and operational structure, on the
THE 12 STEPS
It is important that all users go through
the whole guide, which is intended
to provide selected best practices on
sustainability. Our selection is based
on cost effective solutions that will
simultaneously not require large
TOWARDS
SUSTAINABILITY IS
investment and will trigger a positive
significant impact on your overall
performance.

A JOURNEY NOT A
following; energy conservation, water
conservation, waste management and
best corporate practices.

HOW TO USE THIS TOOLKIT

DESTINATION.
This sustainability guideline revolves around 4 main themes:

ENERGY WATER WASTE ENGAGEMENT

Under each theme, you will be introduced By doing so, a hotel could potentially
to three key steps. Each step will secure or foresee an achievement of 15%
offer you practical tips for successful to 20% in cost savings per annum.
implementation of the sustainability
measures, which in turn will complement
your current and future initiatives.
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A JOURNEY TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY

INPUT
Resources Sustainability
management helps
Fuel Energy
En Food Water reduce environmental
Events & activities CO2
impact even though
DRIVERS OUTPUT
Waste
tourism numbers are
Guests Heat
increasing
Vehicles Waste

Asset Awareness
Staff Asset
sustainable Resources Awareness &
& responsible Used
Sustainable
design management Responsible
practices Water
design practices

SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT
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IDENTIFYING THE ENVIRONMENTAL

IMPACT IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY

BY KNOWING
THE CAUSE OF
THE IMPACT,
YOU WILL
BE ABLE TO
MANAGE IT
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12 STEPS
TOWARDS
SUSTAINABILITY

ENERGY CONSERVATION WATER CONSERVATION

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6

Install energy Be smart about Leverage energy Encourage Provide Perform regular
efficient lighting thermostat efficient equipment efficient water training & maintenance to
settings systems awareness prevent leaks

WASTE MANAGEMENT SUSTAINABILITY ENGAGEMENT

Step 7 Step 8 Step 9 Step 10 Step 11 Step 12

Improve waste Establish Reduce Create a green Educate staff Engage guests &
management awareness & consumption scorecard for staff in applying raise awareness
on site best practices of chemicals & and link to reward sustainable through innovative
programs hazardous waste system practices campaigns
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ENERGY
CONSERVATION

Main Energy Consuming Systems Air conditioning

and ventilation
According to Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA),
Dubai hotels work at high occupancy throughout the year, and
will benefit from applying these 12 steps. Generally, energy
consumption accounts for 3% to 6 % of the total running cost
of hotel establishments. Dubai hotels electric consumption
ranges from 150 – 300 Kwh of power per room. The main Electricity usage
sources of energy used are produced by gas and petroleum. for devices and
Implementing an energy conservation system can help reduce appliances
costs by 15% – 20% on a sustainable basis.
Heating

Cooking

Lighting
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ENERGY
CONSERVATION

1. Install energy efficient lighting

• 9W LED is equivalent in output to a 45 W incandescent.
(Depending on desired brightness)

• Use a 3 way high efficiency light to replace 30, 60 and 75-watt

incandescent bulbs, and achieve energy savinsg of up to 80%

• Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in all guest

rooms. CFLs use about one-quarter of the energy and last up
to 10 times longer than regular incandescent bulbs. It may
save you thousands of dirhams every year in energy costs Efficient lighting
• Consider using garden lights that are powered by solar energy will not effect
the quality while
• Many guests leave bathroom lights on during the night.
Consider installing nightlights with small LED lights in the
savings will be
guest bathrooms achieved and
lessening the
• Install motion sensors and timers
heat caused by
• Consider using garden lights that are powered by solar energy light bulbs
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ENERGY
CONSERVATION

2. Smart thermostats settings

Ideal Room Temperatures for Energy Conservation:

• Setl lobby and hall area temperatures to between 22°C-24°C

• Ideal bathroom temperature is between 22°C-24°C

• When in use, occupied guest room temperatures are best

kept between 20°C-22°C An increase of 1°C
• When not in use, unoccupied guest rooms are best to be
could save up to 5% in
kept between 26°C–27°C air-conditioning and
ventilation costs.
• Ideal temperature in restaurants should be set between
22°C-24°C
Clean or replace air
• Set walkway and corridor temperatures between 22°C-24°C conditioner filters
• Laundry room temperatures are best set between 25°C-27°C
periodically. Dirty
filters restrict airflow
and can cause the
system to run longer,
thereby increasing
energy use.
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ENERGY
CONSERVATION

3. Leverage energy efficient equipment

• Use the energy-saver or power-saver mode on your computer

• Switch off your computer and printers completely when not used
during long periods

• Develop and enhance a computer shutdown policy

Case study -
• Use resources based virtual servers
Dubai:
• Use energy efficient appliances and in room multimedia A 5 star hotel
equipment saved AED
• Use digital equipment, for signage & promotions 90,000 per year
by switching off
computers for 12
hours per day and
using efficient
equipment
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WATER
CONSERVATION

Water consumption
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the United Hot water leaks
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) highlighted that
the water scarcity problem exists globally with a demand
projected to exceed supply by 40% by 2030.
It is important to identify resource Key Performance
Indicators (KPIs) for hotels and set reduction targets.
KPIs are quantifiable measures that reveal progress towards
meeting desired targets. The most common water related Tap leaking
KPI for a hotel is litter/guest/night, which measures the
average amount of liters measured per guest during one
night.
There are plenty of water saving opportunities for hotels,
implementing a few of these practices can save money and
conserve natural water resources.
Leaky toilets

Long showers
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WATER
CONSERVATION

4. Encourage efficient water systems

Below are recommended methods to ensure water conservation:

• Install hand basins fixtures with flow rates at 6L/min or less

• Install shower fixtures with flow rates at 9L/min or less

• Install timed push button showers by the pool to reduce water use Less than 1% of
the world’s fresh
• Update normal urinals with sensor operated flush system
water is readily
• Use operator spray gun water hoses in gardens available for
• Install soil moisture sensors to monitor lawns and plants that human use.
need to be watered

• Use drip irrigation systems controlled by timers for shrubs and The return on
trees so that water goes straight to the roots preventing run-off investment for
implementing
water
conservation is
estimated to be
≤ 6 months
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WATER
CONSERVATION

5. Provide Training and Awareness

Staff-oriented initiatives:

• Train staff so they understand how to make prudent use of water and how
they can assist guests with queries on the hotel’s sustainability policies
and practices

• Involve guests in the hotel’s initiatives to conserve water

• Train staff to identify and report leaking toilets and/ or any other
functional problem

• Leaking or malfunctioning toilets can waste liters of water and increase costs.
Provide preventive maintenance to all hotel facilities on a quarterly basis

• Train staff to ensure that the hotel’s policies and practices on

sustainability are being implemented

Guests-oriented initiatives:

• Keep guests updated with the latest sustainability policies and practices
that the hotel is implementing

• Involve guests during your CSR initiative through active communication

and engagement
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WATER
CONSERVATION

6. Perform regular maintenance to prevent leaks

• Conduct a water audit to identify the sources of major water costs, and
understand where improvements and savings can be made

• Regularly check your sprinkler system valves, water pipes and other
systems for water leaks, in order to provide regular maintenance and
prevent future damage to the building’s plumbing system

• Keep a log on consumption and repairs to establish a performance

baselines on repairs, bills and equipment. This will enable you to
evaluate cost-benefit trade-offs for future equipment changes,
and assist in setting future consumption targets which will be
communicated to your employees
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WASTE
MANAGEMENT

Prevention
Waste management measures hierarchy
Most
Reducing resource consumption and waste generated Favored
from your hotel are essential elements in improving your Option
sustainability performance. Waste management and reduction
helps in alleviating carbon emissions and increase savings
that can in turn help with developing and improving your hotel.
Consider implementing these waste management measures
based on this waste hierarchy.
The first place for reducing your waste footprint starts with
operations and services. Did you know that a material portion Reduction
of organic waste generated can be reused on site, resulting in a
reduced number of waste collection trips.
Reuse

Recycling

Disposal
Least
Favored Mixing Waste
Option
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WASTE
MANAGEMENT

PLASTIC METAL
7. Waste management on site
Staff-oriented initiatives:

• Introduce instructions and clear signs for staff on health

and safety when managing waste on site GLASS PAPER
• Encourage all staff to apply waste sorting

• Place recycling bins on each floor at the service collection

area, to facilitate and increase collection of recycled wastes,
and to educate your guests
Recycling bins
should be consistent
Guests-oriented initiatives: in color and just as
• Supply each guest room with a bin for recyclable materials visible and accessible
(glass, paper, plastic, cans, etc.). Or keep a recycling as trash bins
container near the elevators of each floor and/or at the end throughout the hotel
of each walkway
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WASTE
MANAGEMENT

8. Establish awareness and best practices

programs
• Develop policies and procedures on waste management

• Train and keep staff informed about the best recycling

procedures by issuing memos and periodically reviewing
procedures

• With each new hire provide a recycling information or

waste management brochure, that serves as a guide and
orientation to your waste processing routines.
Did you know that
• Once policies have been implemented, continue to refine there are registered
the processes and routines by encouraging feedback from consultants that can
your staff, especially those who are most involved in the help you expedite the
waste processing operations. waste management
• Provide recycling information in guest rooms, and show process? For further
how the hotel’s recycling rates are changing over time information, please
contact the DST
team by email:
dst@dubaitourism.ae
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WASTE
MANAGEMENT

9. Reduce Consumption of Chemicals and

Hazardous Waste
These measures will ensure quick wins – for both staff and
guests. The environment will also thank you for this.

• Develop and implement policies and procedures on

handling and storing hazardous waste, to keep staff and
guests away from any health and safety hazards

• Keep track of chemical usage on the Material Safety

Data Sheet (MSDS). Safety data sheets provide useful
information on the chemical hazard, advice on safety
handling, use and storage, and the emergency measures to
be followed in case of an accident

• Replace chemical usage with eco-friendly products. You will

be keeping your staff protected from being exposed to any
toxic chemicals
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SUSTAINABILITY
ENGAGEMENT

Sustainability approach

Sustainability is a long term plan connecting environmental,

social and economic activities within the core business Cost
management
strategy of any hotel. It is a critical decision making process
that helps your business manage its costs and adopt an
environmental approach that would benefit both your staff
and guests. Management support is important as they
have both an overview of the daily business operations and Sustainability
strategy development. Once sustainability becomes a part of
the organization’s culture, it will be crucial to continuously
review, update and report on your sustainability Social activities
commitments.
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SUSTAINABILITY
ENGAGEMENT

10. Create a green scorecard for staff and link

to a reward system
• Form a Green Team and make green targets part of your
corporate objectives, led by a C-Level champion

• Develop and define a methodology to monitor, measure and

track performances throughout the hotel chain

• Develop internal standard operating procedures based on

local & international standards on environmental health
and safety best practices

• Define KPIs related to energy and water conservation,

waste reduction and responsible consumption of resources.
You can only manage what you measure

• Evaluate your staff based on environmental KPI’s

performance and achievements on a monthly basis

• Evaluate your staff based on their frequent participation in

sustainability/CSR activities
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SUSTAINABILITY ENGAGEMENT
Green Scorecard Sample

Staff Guests Community Procurement Environment Events and

Conferences
Learning & Increase awareness & Increase awareness & Procure locally sourced Setting sustainability Green
development inspiration inspiration products and services targets meetings & events
options
KPIs
No. of sustainability No. of green initiative No. of green initiative No. of imported % of electricity, water No. of green meetings
induction activities per engagement activities engagement activities products substituted and fuel consumption and/ or events hosted
quarter per guest per staff with local products per reduction per year per year
year
No. of sustainable % of guest participation % of staff participation in % of waste collected, % of environmentally
trainings per employee in each activity per each activity per quarter % of sustainable local waste reduced, waste friendly stationary
per year quarter products used on a recycled, per year (per provided for meetings
yearly basis waste category) and events
% of employee
participation in frequent % of paper usage and
updates on sustainability ink cartridges reduction
related matters
% of guests and
staff using public
transportation
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SUSTAINABILITY
ENGAGEMENT

11. Educate staff on applying sustainable

practices
• Draw up a checklist for all hotel staff to make them aware
of the sustainability practices that need to be followed and
implemented. This checklist should be visibly posted around all
Sustainable practices
“staff-only” areas of the hotel should be applied in
staff accommodation
• Conduct regular inspections to make sure that sustainable and on travel to and
practices are being followed
from the hotel as well
• Communication stickers or notes should be put up in specific
areas to remind staff of best practice. For example, a note that
reads: switch off all appliances after use in kitchen and staff
common areas near the appliances or the kitchen door
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SUSTAINABILITY
ENGAGEMENT

12. Engage guests and raise awareness through

innovative campaigns
• Communicate your sustainability efforts and activities with guests so
they too can be involved

• Post signage in guest rooms requesting guests to reuse linen and

towels to reduce energy and water consumption required for laundry
services

• Post signs informing guests that their bed linen will not be changed
unless the guest asks housekeeping to do so, and that their towels
will not be replaced unless the guest keeps them on the floor

• Involve guests in sustainability activities (example: Earth Day)

• Provide incentives to guests (example: offer free Nol cards for public
transportation)

• Encourage your guests to support the UAE’s local species and

habitats (example: cooperation with recognized non-profit
organizations that provide local conservation initiatives – i.e. the
guest can purchase a keychain, a teddy bear or a pin and learn more
of with the initiatives
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CONCLUSION
This user guide was developed in partnership with Dubai Carbon
Centre of Excellence through excessive research based on the
International Standard Organization (ISO)14001 on environmental
management and the International Standard Organization (ISO) 50001
on energy management to provide an overview about sustainability
and verify the best sustainable practices to be adopted by hotel
establishments in Dubai. Further analysis through case studies from
various hotel establishment practices has formed an imperative
source of sustainability guidance. Dubai Electricity & Water Authority
(DEWA) was a great source of both qualitative and quantitative data
to benchmark consumption values and provide best conservation
methods to aid hotels at implementing the best sustainable practices.
More research was conducted by relying on international sustainability
guidelines and site visits to hotel establishments.
It is important to consider that sustainability is about more than just
looking after our natural environment. It is also about considering the
social and economic impact of what we do and how we do it.
The hotel industry around the globe has been
pursuing sustainability practices since the 1990s due
to fluctuating economic levels and a strong focus on
customer service. The results show that most of the
environmental strategies applied are related to energy
and water savings in addition to waste management.
The ultimate result of these actions is a win-win
situation to reduce hotel operational costs and
harmful environmental impacts. Reports by hundreds
of businesses around the world illustrate that by
implementing appropriate management processes they
have reduced energy and water consumption costs by
more than 20 percent, solid waste and waste water
disposal costs by more than 15 percent, improved the
quality of the environment in which they operate and
improved staff motivation and community relations.
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REFERENCES
11. Dubai Electricity & Water Authority, [Online]
www.dewa.gov.ae
22. International Organization for Standardization, [Online]
http://www.iso.org
33. Green Globe, [Online] http://www.greenglobe.com
44. Green Hotelier, [Online] www.greenhotelier.org
55. Wastecare Corporation, [Online]
http://www.wastecare.com/Articles/Waste_Reduction_
Recycling_Tips_Hotels.htm
66. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),
[Online] http://www.greeningtheblue.org/sites/default/
files/Sustainable20%Events20%Guide20%May20%
20%202012%30FINAL.pdf
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guide.
• You may not, except with DTCM’s express written permission,
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“Copyright © DTCM 2017”
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To contact us and for further information about

Dubai Sustainable Tourism, please visit the
DST website,
https://dst.dubaitourism.ae/