Net-zero Carbon Emission Hotels: Are they Technically and Economically Feasible?

Climate change mitigation requires the elimination of carbon emissions in all sectors including the hospitality industry. The purpose of the current study is the identification of the methods and the sustainable energy technologies which can be used in hotels to minimize or zero their net-carbon emissions. Several sustainable and low-carbon energy technologies which can be used in hotels for heat, cooling and electricity generation are described. The possibility of purchasing green energy from external energy providers and energy cooperatives is also mentioned while any remaining carbon emissions can be offset with the existing offsetting mechanisms. Our work indicates that there are many methods and technologies which can be combinedly used in hotels for the elimination of their carbon emissions. These technologies are reliable, mature and cost-effective. Therefore, the achievement of net-zero emission hotels is technically and economically feasible. Our results could be used from the hotel industry, the stakeholders and the policy makers as well as from energy companies which can have an important role in the clean energy transition of hotels.