Travelers seeking to reduce their environmental footprint can now stay at a net-zero carbon hotel that uses less than half the energy of traditional accommodations.
IHG Hotels & Resorts has opened its first net-zero carbon hotel, designed to produce zero emissions throughout its life. The UK’s 142-room voco Zeal Exeter Science Park runs entirely on renewable and solar energy.
This innovative net-zero carbon hotel marks a major step forward in sustainable hospitality. It shows how hotels can operate with minimal environmental impact while offering guests comfort and convenience.
The new net-zero carbon hotel uses several cutting-edge technologies to eliminate emissions. Vertical solar panels, such as wall cladding and power generators, cover the building’s exterior.
The building follows Passivhaus standards. This means it has extremely high insulation levels and airtight construction that drastically reduce energy needs for heating and cooling.
The net-zero carbon hotel uses adiabatic cooling instead of traditional air conditioning. This system cools air by evaporating water rather than using chemical refrigerants that harm the environment.
Heat-reversible heat pumps provide efficient temperature control. These devices move heat rather than generate it, using much less energy than conventional heating systems.
Even the building’s foundation helps fight climate change. The hotel uses Ecocrete instead of regular concrete. This alternative material has a much lower carbon footprint than standard concrete.
The net-zero carbon hotel aims to use less than 60 kilowatt-hours of energy per square meter. For comparison, typical hotels use two to three times this amount.
The builders replaced 60% of cement in concrete with Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS). GGBS is a recycled byproduct from steel manufacturing that reduces carbon emissions from concrete production.
The hotel installed CO₂ heat pumps with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1 for heating water. This rating means these systems have minimal impact on climate change compared to standard alternatives.
Despite its focus on sustainability, the net-zero carbon hotel doesn’t skimp on features that guests expect. Visitors can use a mini gym, relax in garden areas, and book multi-purpose meeting spaces.
The property also offers 12 electric vehicle charging points, which help guests continue their low-carbon journey even while traveling.
The hotel celebrated its “topping out” (completion of the main structure) in April 2024. This milestone marked the near-completion of this innovative building project.
The travel industry contributes significantly to global carbon emissions. Hotels use large amounts of energy for heating, cooling, lighting, and hot water.
When you stay at a net-zero carbon hotel, you dramatically reduce the environmental impact of your travel. Your vacation or business trip contributes less to climate change.
As more net-zero carbon hotels appear, these technologies may become standard across the industry. This could help reduce the tourism sector’s overall climate impact.
The hotel demonstrates that sustainability doesn’t require sacrificing comfort. Guests receive the same quality experience with a much smaller environmental footprint.
Hotels like this one also provide travelers with ways to match their accommodations to their environmental values. People increasingly seek travel options that align with their concerns about climate change.
This net-zero carbon hotel could influence how future hotels are designed and built. Its technologies and approaches could become models for the rest of the industry.
As similar hotels open, costs for these sustainable technologies may decrease. This could make net-zero carbon buildings more affordable for hotel developers.
The techniques used in this hotel could also be transferred to other types of buildings. Offices, apartments, and homes might adopt similar approaches to reduce climate impact.
See also: Tips for Running Energy Efficient Hotels During The Holiday Period
Net-zero carbon hotels with such advanced sustainability features may attract eco-conscious travelers. This could create market pressure for other hotels to improve their environmental performance.
This hotel helps move the entire industry toward greater sustainability by demonstrating that zero-carbon operations are possible in hospitality. It shows a path forward for reducing climate impact while maintaining business success.
