Sustainability is an ongoing journey at Millennium Hotels and Resorts in New Zealand. 

Making its third consecutive year of Toitu Carbon Reduce certification, the group has once again measured and reported the carbon footprint across all owned and managed hotels in New Zealand. This milestone reflects a continued commitment to understanding environmental impact and taking meaningful steps towards reducing it.

From Insight to Action

Each year, tracking emissions provides valuable insight into where impact is greatest – enabling smarter, more informed decisions that not only reduce environmental footprint but also enhance operational efficiency. At the property level, this empowers hotel teams to identify opportunities for improvement, reinforcing a shared commitment to sustainability across the portfolio.

As travel demand continues to grow, so does the importance of managing resources responsibly. Key focus areas include gas and electricity consumption, waste management, and business travel. In response, across New Zealand, hotels are introducing energy-efficient initiatives such as LED lighting replacements and upgrades to heating and appliances to improve energy efficiency.

Encouragingly, progress is being made where 31% of the hotel waste was diverted from landfill, reflecting a stronger focus on recycling and waste management across the portfolio.

Expanding the Commitment 

This year marked a significant improvement in reporting with the addition of new indirect (Scope 3) emissions such as franchised hotels, investment property emissions, and staff commuting. By broadening the scope, it  provides a more holistic view of the group’s environmental footprint, strengthening transparency and accountability. 

The group is also beginning to see a small decrease in emissions intensity over time, assessed as tonnes of emissions per million dollars of revenue. Backed by independent Toitu certification, these efforts provide confidence to guests, partners, and stakeholders that sustainability commitments are both credible and measurable.

Looking Ahead

In the coming year, the group will continue to work with all New Zealand properties, alongside hotel teams and locally based sustainability champions, to introduce initiatives that further reduce environmental impact.

From enhancing energy efficiency and preventative maintenance to upgrading building systems and lighting, these efforts are part of a broader commitment to Millennium’s Green Path – creating a more sustainable way to stay, now and into the future.