Project Description
This project synthesises contemporary research on green hotels to advance conceptual clarity and sustainability governance in hospitality studies. Based on a systematic quantitative literature review of 318 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2019 and 2023, the study examines how environmental sustainability has been conceptualised and operationalised in the global hotel sector.
The review identifies three key challenges limiting hotels’ contributions to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). First, green hotel research relies on inconsistent and often outdated definitions, undermining comparability, accountability, and increasing the risk of greenwashing. Second, the literature is dominated by consumer and internal organisational perspectives, with limited attention to external stakeholders such as governments, suppliers, investors, and communities. Third, many studies lack geographical and contextual sensitivity, assuming that green practices are universally transferable across destinations.
By systematically mapping research topics, theoretical foundations, methodological approaches, stakeholder perspectives, and geographical contexts, this project consolidates a fragmented body of knowledge and clarifies how academic research can better support credible sustainability transitions in the hotel industry. The findings contribute to SDG 12 by interrogating the evidence base underpinning sustainable hotel operations and to SDG 13 by highlighting research gaps that hinder effective climate action in hospitality. The project concludes by outlining a future research agenda that emphasises updated definitions, multi-stakeholder engagement, and contextually grounded research designs to enhance the integrity and impact of green hotel practices.
Project Personnel and Beneficiaries
This project benefits academic researchers in tourism, hospitality, and sustainability by synthesising fragmented green hotel literature and identifying key conceptual and methodological gaps. It supports sustainability scholars and doctoral researchers seeking clearer definitions and research directions.
Policymakers and governance bodies benefit from insights into definitional inconsistency and greenwashing risks affecting sustainability regulation. Hospitality industry stakeholders, including hotel managers, sustainability practitioners, certification bodies, and investors, benefit from improved conceptual clarity around credible green practices.
Indirectly, the project benefits communities and consumers by supporting more transparent, accountable, and contextually grounded sustainability practices aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Outcomes to Date
This project has achieved a significant scholarly outcome through the publication of a journal article in the International Journal of Hospitality Management (IJHM), an A* journal on the ABDC list. The study provides one of the most comprehensive post-COVID-19 syntheses of green hotel research, systematically analysing 318 peer-reviewed articles. It has advanced knowledge on sustainability in hospitality by identifying critical gaps in the literature, including inconsistent definitions of green hotels, limited integration of external stakeholder perspectives, insufficient contextualisation of green practices, and the under-examined role of greenwashing. These contributions strengthen the evidence base supporting SDG 12 and SDG 13. The publication enhances academic and policy discourse by offering a clear future research agenda to support more contextually grounded sustainability practices in the hotel sector.
Project Significance
This project contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 12 and 13 by strengthening the conceptual, empirical, and governance foundations of sustainability research in the global hotel sector. Hotels are resource-intensive organisations that significantly influence patterns of consumption, production, and carbon emissions, positioning them as critical actors in advancing responsible and climate-responsive practices.
In relation to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), the project addresses key limitations in how green hotel practices are defined, measured, and communicated in academic research. Through a systematic review, it identifies widespread reliance on inconsistent and outdated definitions of “green hotels”, which undermines comparability, accountability, and sustainability reporting. These ambiguities facilitate greenwashing and weaken the implementation of responsible production practices across hotel operations. By calling for clearer definitions, stronger governance frameworks, and multi-stakeholder engagement, the project supports SDG 12 targets related to sustainable management, transparent information, and responsible supply chains.
With respect to SDG 13 (Climate Action), the project highlights how fragmented research, limited stakeholder perspectives, and insufficient contextualisation constrain hotels’ ability to adopt effective climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. The review demonstrates that many studies assume the universal applicability of green practices, overlooking variations in regulatory environments, climate risks, and socio-economic conditions. By advocating for context-sensitive and mixed-methods research, the project supports evidence-based climate action that aligns hotel sustainability strategies with local environmental and policy realities.