“It’s not sustainability, it’s viability. If everybody made just one small change, we can make an impact.” SAM HALL, IHG
THE IHG HOTELS & RESORTS APPROACH
ESG. As the host of each session, Sarah – a
At IHG, the narrative is shifting. In an initiative
self-confessed industry outsider who is rapidly
entitled Beyond The Buzzwords, the global
learning the nuances of hospitality design – is
hotel group is taking a collaborative approach,
joined by a panel of speakers with the insight
inviting the hospitality design industry to learn
to share how meaningful specification changes
through a series of in-person panel discussions
can deliver sustainable progress.
and networking. Spearheaded by Sam Hall,
Open to all those actively working in hotel
Director of Interior Design at IHG Hotels &
design and specification, from IHG-approved
Resorts Europe, the sessions derived from an
studios to newcomers, each event centres around
ambition to “do better”, bringing sustainable
a specific product category, highlighting the
conversations to the fore in an effort to drive
opportunities to make manageable adjustments
lasting change.
throughout the project. “It’s not sustainability,
Having previously worked on projects that see
it’s viability,” Sam affirms. “We’re stronger
environmental progress given precedence, Sam
together. If everybody in the room made just
picked up the reigns of ‘Green Gang’ – a collective
one small change, we can make an impact.”
of like-minded colleagues with a desire to make
No matter the product, the message remains
a difference, originally kickstarted by Emma
the same. “Just do one thing,” Sarah stresses.
King, Head of Premium, Luxury & Lifestyle
“Don’t try everything at once, it’s impossible.
Design, IHG Hotels & Resorts. The thinking
Just do one thing, implement it across every
aligns with IHG’s Journey To Tomorrow, a 10-
project, then add something else.”
year responsible business plan for the group’s global network of more than 6,900 properties.
FATIGUE VERSUS COLLABOR-ACTION
Over the course of the decade, the commitment
In Spring 2025, Beyond The Buzzwords made its
will champion positive change across multiple
debut by exploring sustainability with an aerial
areas, from people and community to carbon
view. The session kicked off by demystifying
and energy, waste and water – all in a bid to
the word itself and acknowledging the ‘S-word
achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals
fatigue’ that can arise at its mention. With
and help shape the future of responsible travel.
the context set, the audience then heard how
Beyond The Buzzwords supports Journey to
asking simple questions about a product’s
Tomorrow by reinforcing how sustainability
composition, origin or recyclability can help to
considerations are embedded and carried
encourage open communication.
through at the design and development stage.
This notion has become a recurring theme
Backed by IHG, the initiative represents the
throughout the events. As Sarah emphasises,
Green Gang’s ambition to make sustainability
embedding this mindset into everyday
outcomes achievable for all. To encourage an
operations starts with acknowledging the
open forum, they’ve teamed up with Sarah
importance of conversation over competition –
Duncan, founder of Sleeping Lion – a business
if hospitality is to rise to the decarbonisation
consultancy specialising in sustainability and
challenge, sharing best practice and embracing