Decarbonization is a path that the Iberostar Group began to go down several years ago. A path that we turned into our roadmap over a year ago, placing one of our most ambitious objectives at the core of our strategy: achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, bringing forward the objective set by the tourism industry by two decades.

As part of this objective aimed at achieving a reduction in greenhouse gases, green hydrogen is an ally that must be taken into account, as it is a type of gas that can be obtained without generating polluting emissions. Thus, at Iberostar, we believe that it will play a leading role in the fight against climate change.  

The decision to include green hydrogen in our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is based on the need to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on traditional fossil fuels. Green hydrogen is seen as a promising solution to achieve decarbonization goals—especially in destinations where other means pose a greater challenge—since it involves having a resource that is not only clean energy produced by water and renewable energy, but it can also be stored, transported, and used for commercial, industrial, or mobility purposes. 

 

The importance of training

To make the most of green hydrogen technology and be able to implement it correctly and effectively, it is essential to train employees in operating and maintaining it. For this, rigorous and continuous training is necessary to be able to stay up to date with the latest developments in the field. This will ensure the optimal use of hydrogen systems and maximize the environmental and economic benefits.

 

A sustainable future for the sector and our guests

The Iberostar Group’s commitment to decarbonization not only benefits the tourism industry, but also sets a precedent for global climate action. By sharing knowledge and experiences, we hope to inspire others to follow our example and join the fight against climate change. With a bold vision and unwavering determination, we are heading toward a future where sustainability is the norm, not the exception.

And this is a future that involves establishing alliances that help facilitate this journey. This is the case with regard to the relationship that Iberostar has developed with Redexis as part of the Green Hysland Project, through which Iberostar has committed to reaching a worldwide pioneering milestone with the first installation of a green hydrogen fuel cell for cogeneration at the Iberostar Bahía de Palma hotel, in Mallorca. This technology will involve an estimated consumption of at least 10 metric tons of renewable hydrogen per year to produce over 70% of the thermal energy and over 20% of the electrical energy of the hotel, thus reducing dependence on other fossil fuels and, therefore, reducing our emissions. 

These are just some of the steps that Iberostar is taking to continue implementing green hydrogen at our hotels, which we consider to be the sustainable future of the sector and the way in which our guests are going to start consuming when it comes to vacations and leisure.

 

Álvaro Sánchez - Climate Change Manager at Iberostar