Marriott Bonvoy Events introduces ‘Connect Responsibly’ to promote sustainable meetings

Marriott International has launched Connect Responsibly, a new program under Marriott Bonvoy Events, aimed at helping meeting planners integrate sustainable practices into events held across Marriott's global portfolio. This initiative, set to roll out in over 500 properties across Asia-Pacific (excluding China) and approximately 133 hotels in India by the end of October, offers enhanced tools for measuring environmental impacts and purchasing carbon credits.

Responding to the increasing demand for eco-conscious event solutions, Connect Responsibly will provide clients with detailed Meeting Impact Reports. These reports, available post-event, will include metrics on carbon and water footprints as well as property-specific sustainability practices used during events, calculated using industry-standard methodologies. To accommodate global users, the reports will be offered in 11 languages.

“There is nothing like connecting in person, and doing so responsibly makes it that much better. With the Connect Responsibly program, we are giving our meetings and events customers options to better understand the impacts of their meetings as we collectively strive to create a more resilient future for travel,” said Erika Alexander, Chief Global Officer, Global Operations, Marriott International.

“Meetings and events are important business for Marriott. Our customers are eager to participate in sustainability efforts. Connect Responsibly expands ongoing initiatives and strengthens our efforts focused on sustainability in hospitality,” said Tammy Routh, Senior Vice President, Global Sales, Marriott International. “We are excited to build on our sustainability reporting capabilities to provide our meetings and events customers with detailed Meeting Impact Reports and offer access to a select portfolio of verified carbon offset projects, through our collaboration with South Pole.”

In collaboration with South Pole, a climate consultancy, Marriott will offer clients the option to purchase carbon credits through the South Pole platform. This initiative is part of Marriott’s broader Climate Action Program (CAP), which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for near- and long-term climate goals. Marriott, as of April 2024, is the largest hospitality company to have SBTi-approved emissions reduction targets, emphasising the brand's commitment to driving sustainable practices across its properties and supply chain.