Radisson Hotel Group’s Verified Net Zero (VNZ) Hotels program addresses emissions across all three scopes. It virtually eliminates Scope 1 emissions from direct sources and Scope 2 emissions from purchased energy. The program significantly reduces Scope 3 value-chain emissions and addresses residual emissions through carbon removal credits. Verified Net Zero hotels use 100% renewable energy and adopt low-carbon dining and waste minimisation practices. TÜV Rheinland provides independent third-party verification.
The 138-room hotel sits in South Africa’s Limpopo province, near Kruger National Park and Blyde River Canyon. Its natural surroundings form a central part of the visitor experience. The transformation reflects the Group’s approach to sustainability across everyday hotel operations. Measures range from renewable-energy-powered guest rooms to restaurant and meetings-and-events dining.
Tim Cordon, Chief Operating Officer for the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia Pacific at Radisson Hotel Group, said: “Bringing our Verified Net Zero program to Africa is an important step in making lower-carbon hospitality a practical choice across more destinations. At Hoedspruit, the natural surroundings are a defining part of why guests visit, making this a particularly meaningful place to introduce the program. The hotel demonstrates how investment in renewable electricity, electrification and everyday operational changes can reduce environmental impact while maintaining a compelling guest experience. It also gives our owners and teams across Africa a practical example of how existing hotels can contribute to the transition toward net zero.”
Renewable electricity and electrified operations
The hotel combines on-site solar generation with procured renewable electricity. It also uses renewable guarantees of origin and plans to introduce a solar wheeling agreement in 2027. Under this arrangement, a renewable energy supplier feeds solar-generated electricity into the national grid. An equivalent contracted volume then supports the hotel’s electricity consumption.
Electrification extends across key areas of the property. The kitchen uses extensive electric equipment. Heat pumps provide hot water for guest rooms. Electric golf carts and three-wheel utility vehicles support daily operations and help eliminate fossil fuels.
How the gotel is reducing waste and conserving water?
The hotel recycles 100% of its wastewater through its own treatment plant. This system integrates water recovery into daily operations. Waste separation and specialist recycling partnerships support the hotel’s ambition to divert all waste from landfill. Shodulla Recycling handles plastic, glass and paper. Egg Brothers processes food waste through composting and worm-farming initiatives.
Bulk bathroom amenities help reduce plastic consumption. The supplier takes back containers through a closed-loop system that ensures 100% recycling and zero waste to landfill. Glass water bottles further reduce packaging waste. Guests can request additional amenities to avoid unnecessary consumption.
Guests can also reuse towels and choose flexible housekeeping options. These measures help conserve water and energy while reducing cleaning-product use. The STAY e-concierge app will bring hotel information and guest requests into one digital platform. It will reduce printed bedroom materials and support direct communication with hotel teams.
Lower-carbon dining and responsible sourcing
The hotel works with food sustainability platform Klimato to introduce carbon-labelled menus. These menus help guests understand the emissions associated with their dining choices. Carbon-footprint data also helps the culinary team review ingredients and recipes. The team can develop lower-carbon options and manage the impact of its food offering. Low-carbon options receive priority on menus and buffets.
Supplier partnerships also support sustainability goals. Through Zanetti Collection, a local community sewing project turns used Hausbrandt coffee bags into reusable shopping bags. The initiative supports employment and social programmes. Compostable coffee capsules and Ronnefeldt tea products add further waste-reduction measures. These include recyclable packaging and compostable tea bags.
Staff training, energy monitoring and preventative maintenance reinforce these initiatives. Teams across housekeeping, engineering, food and beverage, and front office incorporate resource efficiency into everyday decisions.
Inge Huijbrechts, Chief Sustainability & Security Officer at Radisson Hotel Group, said: “Verified Net Zero requires us to look beyond a hotel’s energy supply and address the wider footprint of its operations. Independent verification by TÜV Rheinland provides a consistent framework and gives guests, owners and corporate customers greater confidence in the hotel’s credentials. Bringing the program to Africa is an exciting proof that Verified Net Zero can work everywhere and strengthens our understanding of how to apply this approach across different destinations as we work toward 100 Verified Net Zero hotels by 2030.”
The Verified Net Zero program
At Radisson Safari Hoedspruit, guests can experience comfort, innovation and sustainability in a safari destination. The comprehensive program addresses the hotel’s energy footprint across Scopes 1 and 2, as defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. It also addresses operational and supply-chain emissions under Scope 3.
The program prioritises emissions reductions before offsetting. Electrification and renewable energy bring Scope 1 and 2 emissions close to elimination. Targeted changes reduce operational Scope 3 emissions across food and beverage, waste, laundry, amenities, procurement and hotel operations. At Hoedspruit, these measures include renewable electricity, electrified equipment, lower-carbon menus, recycling, composting, reduced packaging and more efficient resource use.
The hotel addresses residual emissions through carbon credits as a final step. It procures these credits through Greentrade from the South Africa-based GRASS project. TÜV Rheinland independently assesses compliance with the Net Zero Methodology for Hotels. This process supports transparency and credibility.
The hotel offers views of the Drakensberg Mountains and 138 rooms and suites, including options with private pools. Dining venues, spa facilities and meeting spaces serve leisure travellers and business guests. Visitors can explore the region’s wildlife and landscapes while staying at a property that embeds emissions reduction and resource efficiency into daily operations.
The launch advances Radisson Hotel Group’s ambition to reach 100 Verified Net Zero hotels by 2030. It extends a program already operating across the UK and Nordic markets to its first African destination.
Tags: Inge Huijbrechts, Radisson Hotel Group South Africa
