European report-in September began to build a new 4-star hotel in the city of Banovici in Slovenia. The 31-room hotel Narcisa on the site of the Terme Banovci Resort is built with a fund injection of EUR 1.7 million of the European Union. The EU finances about a quarter of the project of € 6.4 million as part of its recovery and resilience facility as a sustainable investment.
The project will make an important contribution to sustainable development, the EU Commission explained. “Fifty percent of European financing will take measures to achieve higher energy efficiency, which contributes to the green transition.”
Since the EU is the first net zero continent by 2050 and emissions reduced by 55% around 2030 compared to 1990s by 55%, the hotels must be in line.
Since difficult new laws in relation to green claims and certifications are unfolded, the change for hotels for decarbonization and energy efficiency is an obligation, no choice.
As part of its so-called “green contract policy” for a decarbonized Europe, the EU cracks, especially at Greenwashing, with the Green Claims Directive, which will come into force next year. The law tries to set a stopover for CO2 -neutral claims through offsets and other misleading information. All environmental requirements raised by hotels must be checked.
Tech Company, Hotel Gogo, confronted with hotels that are faced with increasing EU and national regulation on the way to Net -Null -Missions -zielen.
“Programs such as the European Regional Development Fund (ERTF) and the Cohesion Fund should support hotels in improving their infrastructure, improving energy efficiency and the introduction of renewable energies,” said Bartolozzi. “Qualification criteria can vary depending on the region, but often include an obligation to achieve specific sustainability goals, compliance with the environmental standards and the co -financing of the hotel or private investors.”
The funds are usually led through regional institutions, and each region has its specific processes and criteria for the distribution of these funds, added Bartolozzi.
For example, he said that a hotel in Andalusia can apply to regional bodies that determine its priorities based on local needs, while a hotel in Tuscany may be exposed to completely different procedures.
“Hotels that receive certification such as the EU eco -colabel have a competitive advantage,” said Bartolozzi:
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All over Europe, the Erdf Hotels supports financially to invest in sustainability.
The Carpe Diem Hotel in Santorini, Greece, which claims to run to 100% certified green energy, used the funds to achieve a positive status of CO2 -positive status in 2020.
“This means that we compensate for more CO2 than we emit,” said the managing director and CEO of future hotels of Sotiris Kopatsaris, who thinks they are constantly evaluating sustainability.
“Sustainability is a journey,” Kopatsaris continued. “We minimize our energy consumption and pursue and measure our CO2 footprint based on the best available tools to know where further reductions can be made.
“Every month we try to improve this by improving our technology and energy efficiency. It took us years to achieve this level of carbon neutrality by reducing emissions, but also using our own forest planting intelligent sensors using technology. “
In November, the European investment bank signed an agreement with the Spanish hotel and industrial laundry group Ilunion to support energy-efficient upgrades in its 31 hotels. Alejandro Oñoro, CEO of Ilunion, said that the money would get to the implementation of a climate protection plan in its entire value chain. “Ilunion develops a decarbonization strategy that focuses on renewable energies and implementing energy efficiency measures,” he said.
The group said that sustainability was an “important driver” of its management strategy and aims to be a benchmark company for sustainability. Since it invests in upgrades, it hopes that a sustainable BREAM certification-that would receive the hardest in the industry-in all hotels in 2023 for five new buildings. All properties already have the Ecostars hotel-specific sustainability certification.
For Paul Asselman, owner of the Ecohotel Fevery in Brugge, Belgium, count Green Labels. The first Belgian hotel that received the European ecological bolabulum in 2010 recently became an environmentally closing property after upgrades, with EU funds being used to promote its environmental obligations.
“Because of the EU stimulus fund provided by the Belgian government, we were able to make some investments -with EU money,” said Asselman. “The funds support sustainability efforts and energy efficiency, and the money was used for solar collectors on our roof.”
Asselman claims to answer the EUS, the increasingly stricter sustainability requirements through the implementation of more waste and energy measures, pays when the national means shrink.
“The project cost around € 18,000. The agents provided us with a (low interest rate) loan over three years and we only pay 75% back. I can't speak for others, but I see that the government offered by the government has decreased for environmentally friendly investments. “
Bartolozzi said that other hotels may want to turn to EU funds that are boomnd, and predicts a significant change in the industry in the coming years.
“The EU Green Rules will turn into the European hotel landscape. We already see a boom compliance initiatives and certifications as well as a stronger admission of European subsidy programs. This is not just about regulation, but also for opportunity – those who quickly adapt will lead the market. “
Bartolozzi emphasized how important it is to understand regional nuances to secure financing.
In order to use the subsidies, hoteliers should obtain advice and work with regional development agencies and environmental consultants to control the financing landscape.
“The transition to sustainability is a challenge, but with the right instruments and resources it is an investment in a more resistant, more profitable and future -proof hospitality industry,” said Bartolozzi.