Accor Co-Founding “Hospitality Alliance for Responsible Procurement”
ACCOR LEADS HOSPITALITY ALLIANCE FOR RESPONSIBLE PROCUREMENT WITH GLOBAL HOTEL GROUPS. THEY AIM TO ELEVATE SUSTAINABILITY AND SUPPLY CHAIN ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE INDUSTRY.
Accor proudly announces its co-founding of the “Hospitality Alliance for Responsible Procurement” (HARP) alongside global hotel giants. The hotel groups include Hilton, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, and Radisson Hotel Group. This partnership, joined by hospitality group purchasing organizations Avendra and Entegra, as well as sustainability rating agency EcoVadis, underscores Accor’s commitment to sustainable procurement and reducing scope 3 carbon emissions.
In shaping sustainable practices, procurement functions play a pivotal role in the hospitality industry’s environmental, social, and governance footprint. HARP emerges as a groundbreaking initiative to assess and enhance supply chain sustainability performance. Leveraging EcoVadis’ sustainability rating data, it facilitates knowledge exchange among stakeholders to drive best practices collectively.
Accor’s procurement, Astore Leading the Way
Accor’s international procurement organization, Astore, recognized early on the potential of procurement in bridging the gap between sustainability vision and action. Astore has been at the forefront of sustainable procurement, employing rigorous supplier selection processes. It is aligned with the responsible procurement charter since 2017. This charter evolves with new regulations and the Group’s commitments, ensuring suppliers meet social, environmental, and ethical criteria.
Accor’s procurement isn’t just about contractual obligations; it’s about measuring sustainability performance. Supplier risk mapping guides compliance with the responsible procurement charter, leading to innovation in sustainability areas like net-zero, human rights, and diversity. This approach mitigates supply chain risks while driving sustainability forward.
Accor’s procurement teams are instrumental in fulfilling the Group’s sustainability pledges. Efforts to eliminate single-use plastic products involve sourcing global and local alternatives. Accor has also taken significant steps toward carbon neutrality by 2050, including ambitious emission reduction targets and participation in the “Business Ambition for 1.5°C” program. Procurement’s role extends to sourcing green energy and energy-saving solutions.
Advancing Sustainability Initiatives in the Hospitality Industry
Responsible sourcing aligns with Accor’s Sustainable Food Charter commitments. This entails increasing local and seasonal sourcing, opting for organic products, and favoring suppliers with responsible fishing, coffee, tea, and animal welfare practices. This commitment raises sustainability standards and adds value for hotel owners and guests.
HARP’s formation is a significant stride in holding hospitality suppliers accountable and elevating sustainability standards. It aligns with Accor’s mission to support suppliers in industry-wide sustainability efforts, addressing critical sustainability challenges collaboratively.
Caroline Tissot, Accor’s Group Chief Procurement Officer, emphasizes the importance of innovative, solution-oriented initiatives in achieving a sustainable future for the hospitality industry. The collaboration within HARP promises unmatched value for suppliers and guests alike, driving positive impact and creative efforts with major hotel and procurement groups.
