Developing energy conservation and carbon reduction indicators for the hotel industry in Taiwan

This study develops and weights energy conservation and carbon reduction (ECCR) indicators for the hotel industry in Taiwan to create an instrument to help address climate change. Eighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior hotel managers, environmental specialists, and government officials to identify the preliminary ECCR framework. An expert panel then was invited to review the structure of ECCR criteria and the compiled criteria in a structure for item modification. An analytic network process questionnaire survey was employed to determine the relative weights of the criteria. The data analysis reveals seven categories in the ECCR framework: communication and participation, top management commitment, energy, water, waste, building, and purchasing. A total of 32 indicators were identified and prioritized in terms of their relative importance to ECCR contributions. The results of this study suggest that the success of ECCR implementation depends primarily on management support and staff engagement. Hotel operators can improve their environmental management by initiating ECCR practices based on the proposed ECCR indicators.

• Energy conservation and carbon reduction indicators for hotel firms are identified as an assessment tool to help address climate change. • Using semi-structured interviews and an analytic network process method, this study identifies and weighs seven categories (communication and participation, top management commitment, energy, water, waste, building, and purchasing) and their underlying 32 indicators in this instrument. • The success of implementation in hotel energy conservation and carbon reduction depends primarily on management support and staff engagement.