Multinationals hospitality company Hilton unveiled a series of new ESG commitments, including goals to significantly cut the emissions footprint of its portfolio of hotels, along with social impact pledges to support inclusive growth.

Hilton’s new climate goals include reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity by 75% in its managed hotels – an acceleration from its prior 61% target – and by 56% in its franchised hotels by 2030. The company stated that its upgraded GHG emissions targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), as aligned with a trajectory to hold global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

Last year, SBTi tightened its criteria for approved climate targets, announcing that it will soon only accept targets aligned with its 1.5°C warming ambition, as required to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Hilton’s prior targets had been designed for a 2°C scenario, and the company said that it had worked with SBTi for several months to revalidate its climate goals.

Jean Garris-Hand, Vice President of Global ESG, Hilton, said:

“This is truly a vital moment to reaffirm our commitments. As climate science continues to evolve, we’re committed to working across every area of our business to engage stakeholders with rigor and discipline to do our part in working toward a net-zero future for the world.”

In addition to its upgraded targets, the company also announced a new commitment to VC investor Fifth Wall’s Climate Tech Fund that will invest in software, hardware, renewable energy, energy storage, smart buildings and carbon sequestration technologies.

Hilton’s social impact commitments include a target to create 5 million learning and career growth opportunities for employees and communities with a focus on underrepresented groups by 2030, meaningfully impact 20 million community members through local support, economic opportunities and disaster relief by 2030, and promote responsible and inclusive conduct across 100% of its value chain operations.

Erica Gordon, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Public Affairs & ESG, and President of the Hilton Global Foundation, said:

“People have, and will continue to be, at the heart of Hilton and our team members play an integral role in spreading the light and warmth of hospitality through travel. Instead of focusing on social investment, we will measure and emphasize outcomes for how we’re driving real impact in the communities we serve.”

Kristin Campbell, General Counsel and Chief ESG officer, Hilton, said:

“Our company was founded more than 100 years ago on the belief that our hospitality has the power to be a force for good. These enhanced, re-validated targets build upon the progress and impact we’ve created since we launched our Travel with Purpose 2030 goals four years ago, as we seek to deepen our commitment to the areas where we can have the greatest impact.”