2 Dubai hotels go carbon-neutral, but will make customers pay

UAE-based Time Hotels announced on Tuesday that it has launched a carbon-offset accommodation programme at two of its hotels in Dubai.

It said in a media statement that Time Oak Hotel & Suites and Time Grand Plaza Hotel are together aiming to save 320 tonnes of carbon emissions by year-end, the equivalent of flying a fully occupied 60-seater plane around the world

However, according to its statement, the chain’s ‘Hotel Stay Carbon Offset Programme’ will seek an optional Dh15 payment from every guest upon checking-in, for a chance to contribute towards climate protection.

“We are offering our guests the opportunity to offset some of the carbon emissions that they generate during their stay with us. Environmentally- conscious guests can reduce the environmental impact of their stay,” said Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, Time Hotels.

“For just Dh15 per stay, the carbon emissions they generate, by consuming energy and water during their stay, can be offset,” the hotel said in its statement. “Their contribution is then transferred to the myclimate Foundation, a Swiss non-profit organisation that helps companies around the world to offset their carbon emissions,” it added.

“Carbon offsetting is crucial in the battle against climate change and is one of the central environmental challenges of the 21st century. Scientific research indicates that with the current global population, each of us would need to limit our carbon emissions to a maximum of 1.5 tonnes annually to be sustainable. Unfortunately, a single car produces that amount of emission levels,” said Rene Estermann, CEO of Zurich-based myclimate Foundation.

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