Voco Oxford Hotels: Elevating Event Sustainability with Klimato’s Carbon Labeling
voco Oxford Spires and voco Oxford Thames, two iconic hotels located in the historic city of Oxford, UK, are part of IHG's voco brand, known for combining upscale comfort with a commitment to sustainability. Since March 2024, these hotels have partnered with Klimato to enhance their sustainability practices specifically within the Meetings & Events (M&E) sector. The collaboration aims to attract more event bookings by offering climate-friendly catering options that meet growing customer demands for sustainable practices.
CLIENT
voco
Location
UK
Industry
Hotel
Uses Klimato for
Carbon labeling, reporting, and menu development
The Challenge
Integrating Carbon Labeling into Event Catering
The primary target of the collaboration was to integrate carbon labeling and sustainable dining into the hotels’ M&E offerings, thus establishing a competitive edge in the market. The hotels frequently receive inquiries from event clients about their sustainability initiatives, making it clear that a strong emphasis on eco-friendly practices would not only resonate with guests but also serve as a significant business opportunity. By integrating Klimato's tool, the hotels aimed to:
• Position themselves as leaders in sustainable hospitality for event hosting.• Provide transparency about the carbon footprint of their catering services.
• Offer diverse low-carbon menu options without compromising on taste or variety.
THE SOLUTION
Sustainable Menu Development
To kick-start the initiative, voco Oxford Spires and voco Oxford Thames worked closely with Klimato to integrate carbon calculations into their catering menu offerings. The process involved:
Calculating the Carbon Impact: Using Klimato’s carbon footprint calculator, the hotels assessed the carbon footprint of all their catering recipes. This detailed analysis enabled them to identify opportunities for reducing emissions across their menu.
Adapting "The Elite Menu": A set dinner menu, known as "The Elite Menu," was refined to ensure that all dishes were classified as either "Low" or "Very Low" carbon options, using Klimato's carbon labels where meals rated A and B are in line with the Paris Agreement goal or at least works toward limiting temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels by 2050 (these meals are also aligned with the Coolfood, a WRI initiative). This adaptation maintained the quality and appeal of the menu, featuring a variety of fish and meat dishes to cater to different dietary preferences.
Branding for Clarity: Initially labeled as a “Low Carbon” menu, it was later renamed as the “Sustainable Elite Menu” to emphasize the climate-friendly aspects in a more easily understood manner.
Carbon Labeling Integration
The hotels added carbon labels to their entire catering brochure to inform event guests about the climate impact of the available options. These labels provided guests with a simple yet effective way to make informed choices, aligning the hotels’ services with the growing consumer demand for sustainability.
Climate Reporting Tools
A key aspect of the collaboration was the implementation of Klimato's reporting tools to offer carbon footprint reports post-event. These reports allowed event organizers to share data on the environmental impact of their events with attendees, further promoting the hotels' commitment to sustainable practices.
"Klimato is an invaluable tool for reducing our carbon footprint in catering...
... With increasing demand for sustainable practices from corporate clients, we proudly use Klimato to measure and climate label our dishes on our catering brochure. This not only raises awareness but also guides our guests toward eco-friendly choices. The platform is user-friendly for our chefs, allowing them to create sustainable menus without compromising on guest experience."
— Logesh Waran, Director of Operations at voco Oxford Spires
THE RESULT
The collaboration has yielded promising results, particularly within the M&E sector:
• Enhanced Business Appeal: By leveraging sustainable menu options, voco Oxford Spires and voco Oxford Thames have differentiated themselves in the market, providing an attractive option for clients who prioritize eco-friendly practices. This approach has also helped position the hotels to cater to the increasing demand for sustainable business events.
• Substantial Carbon Footprint Reduction: By adapting the "Elite Menu" the voco team reduced the average carbon footprint per menu by 57%. Initially the average per meal was 1.67 kg Co2e and this was reduced to 0.71kg CO2e by making small tweaks to the recipes such as swapping duck for chicken, and incorporating plant based dairy products.
• Reduction in food cost: By enhancing the proportion of vegetables to meat in key dishes relative to the Elite Menu, the hotels successfully lowered their food procurement costs. This enabled them to offer clients a price reduction of £5 compared to the Elite Menu, demonstrating that sustainability can provide added value without incurring additional costs.
• Positive Feedback on Carbon Labeling: In a global pilot study across multiple voco properties, 74% of guests expressed interest in making carbon labeling a permanent feature on the menu. This aligns with the Oxford hotels' experience of heightened client interest in sustainable dining.
Klimato makes it easier to reduce emissions from food and meet sustainability goals
By continuously enhancing their sustainable catering offerings and expanding the use of carbon labeling, voco Oxford hotels are not only future-proofing their business but also setting a benchmark for the hospitality industry. The commitment to providing eco-friendly solutions without sacrificing quality or variety, positions these hotels as pioneers in integrating sustainability into event hospitality.
CALCULATE FOR THE FUTURE. CREATE DATA-LED RESULTS TODAY.
