Carbon Neutrality and Eco-Certification in Luxury Hotels of Emerging Economies

Abstract

The global hospitality sector faces mounting pressure to reduce its environmental footprint, particularly within luxury hotel segments that consume disproportionate quantities of energy and water. This study examines how four prominent eco-certification models—LEED, Green Globe, EarthCheck, and Green Key—shape carbon neutrality strategies among luxury hotel chains operating in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing on institutional theory and stakeholder salience frameworks, a comparative qualitative methodology was employed, incorporating document analysis of sustainability reports from 24 luxury properties and semi-structured interviews with 36 hotel sustainability managers. Findings reveal that certification schemes vary considerably in their stringency regarding carbon accounting, renewable energy mandates, and waste diversion targets. Hotels certified under LEED and EarthCheck demonstrated stronger carbon reduction trajectories, while Green Globe and Green Key properties showed greater emphasis on water stewardship. Regional disparities were notable, with Southeast Asian properties outperforming Latin American counterparts in renewable energy adoption. The study contributes to ongoing debates about the efficacy of voluntary certification in driving genuine decarbonisation within hospitality.