ESG - Applied to Real Estate Hospitality

Module 1 | ESG and Sustainability Context – are we on the right path to reverse social and environmental challenges?

Understanding the concept of ESG and its application in the hotel sector.

• This module will cover sustainability and Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) concepts and their importance in the hotel industry.
• Over the last 25 years, there has been an increase in companies measuring and reporting ESG data on environmental, social and governance aspects such as carbon emissions, water consumption, employee relations, assets impact, board diversity, and anti-corruption.
• ESG disclosures are linked with decreased capital constraints, cost of capital, forecast errors, and stock price movements upon regulations.
• Modern companies, executive teams, and investors view ESG and sustainability as strategic considerations.

Module 2 | Risks and Opportunities Analysis – Assets and the global polycrisis; are we running toward ecological and societal collapse and extinction?

Assessing a company’s sustainability and societal impact.

• Rigorous sustainability, environmental and social assessments in the context of organisational climate action.
• Research shows that ESG factors affect companies’ valuation and performance, both through their systematic and idiosyncratic risk profile.
• Sustainability-related due diligence becomes a crucial competence.
• It is critical to include an ongoing risk-management process to identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for business practices.
• Many investors and other stakeholders are actively expressing the need for deeper transparency on the ESG strategies of hospitality companies.

Module 3| Regulation & Non-financial Reporting and Standards

Interoperability and materiality challenges specific to the hospitality industry.

• Explore the dynamic relationship between regulatory frameworks and the domain of non-financial reporting, a cornerstone of ESG practices.
• Navigate the intricate challenges of interoperability and materiality, unravelling the complex considerations that arise when aligning diverse standards.
• Engage with the crucial subject of sustainability reporting, delving into its significance and implications.
• Learn about the different ESG frameworks and standards.

Module 4 | ESG Metrics, KPIs and Technology- Are the measurements meaningful?

ESG Metrics and KPIs to implement in a new building, existing asset, and retrofits.

• Explore the challenges of collecting, reporting, and managing sustainability-related data.
• Methodologies, challenges and opportunities in assessing meaningfulness of these measurements.
• Learn about complexities of ESG measurement providing you with the insights and tools to navigate this crucial aspect of modern business and sustainability.
• ESG data and how you can best integrate it into your financial analyses.
• Corporate activism, how CEOs can take on the role of activist, and influence ESG policies by partnering with NGOs.

Module 5 | Integrating ESG into Corporate Strategy

How they intersect with corporate goals, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and long-term value creation.

• ESG considerations into decision- making processes, aligning them with broader business objectives.
• How real estate companies integrate ESG into the investment process.
• Define, measure, and implement asset-level ESG strategies and its impact.
• ESG Integration at investor/ portfolio level.

Module 6 |Green Finance in Real Estate Hospitality

Understanding the Green finance tools to support the transition and tackle global environmental and social challenges.

• Understanding green finance instruments as an innovative financial resource aimed at the environmental protection and the accomplishment of sustainable utilization of resources.
• Case studies of different initiatives.
• Learn about the challenges and opportunities of green finance.

Module 7| ESG Professionals and Competencies

The demand for sustainability knowledge and skills continues to grow rapidly as ESG considerations are increasingly being integrated into the strategic and investment decision making processes of companies, financial institutions, and advisors.

• Professionals require a multifaceted skill set to address sustainability challenges effectively.
• It is required to have a grasp of environmental issues, social dynamics, and governance principles.
• Learn the essential skills and competencies for collaborating with stakeholders, measuring performance, and navigating evolving challenges, regulations, and standards.

Module 8 | Conclusion, Pathways and Action Plan

Upon completion of modules one to seven, you will be able to apply the knowledge acquired into practice through a case study. Over this week you will prepare an action plan and understand the pathways needed to generate a positive impact from the core business model to daily operations.

• Webinar 1: discussion about the presented case study and showcase of pathways created by the students.
• Webinar 2: recap and Q&A.