Positioning sustainability at the heart of hospitality
Published 04/09/2020
There is a growing consensus that ethical and sustainable growth is now economically viable, and the world will need leaders who understand the dynamics, the stakes, and the positive force for the change they can be.
As an educator, EHL is responsible for training students in understanding today’s challenges and for ensuring that sustainability is present throughout their experience on-campus – in and out of the classroom.
“Sustainability is an overall approach designed to address the most pressing problems we face as a society”
As the premier higher education institution for hospitality management, EHL’s paramount concern is to offer both a curriculum and an environment that is deeply rooted in the future generation’s values.
Being shortlisted for the PIEoneer award in the Sustainability International Impact category is a source of pride and a welcome recognition of the efforts made at an institutional level.
From the margin to the centre
EHL has not only been committed to positioning sustainability at the heart of its Hospitality Management program for the past decade, but it has also focused on providing the best in and out of the classroom learning environment for students.
Students learn to create a responsible business infrastructure that benefits all stakeholders throughout the customer journey, for staff, clients and society and culture at large.
For the hospitality industry, sustainability is an overall approach designed to address the most pressing problems we face as a society, from climate change to economic inequality – issues that require the contribution of everyone, everywhere.
As a central part of EHL’s strategy, sustainability is a driving force of every decision made. EHL aims to contribute beyond education, and frames its work in four pillars: Integrating Sustainability in Education, Care for our People, Contribute to our Communities, Respect our Environment.
Sustainability at EHL
Providing courses related to sustainability is essential to the education of our future leaders. From their first year, students can grasp a basic understanding of how the overall hospitality industry can benefit from sustainable strategies and practices.
They can visit exemplary sustainable tourism management institutions to gain a first-hand understanding of the operations in practice and from February 2021, they will have the opportunity to specialise in Business Ethics.
EHL ensures a panoramic view of sustainability, tying its themes into a majority of other courses provided within the offered curriculum. EHL also promotes teaching by example, encouraging students to lead sustainability-related projects throughout their studies.
The EHL environment enables students to align talk with actions and provides them with an eye-opening experience by showcasing real examples of CSR and sustainability initiatives.
“EHL ensures a panoramic view of sustainability”
EHL continuously improves its buildings and infrastructure, including lowering energy use, reducing waste, eliminating single-use plastics and purchasing food and beverages from local and sustainable producers.
In 2019, EHL expanded the vegetarian and vegan food offering on campus. The EHL community can – and are encouraged – to volunteer hours through the Alaya platform.
Finally, EHL displays complete transparency about its own efforts and initiatives inside and outside of campus by producing the detailed 2019 environmental & social report, creating a space for dialogue and allowing gradual improvements to achieve a sustainable future for all.
Noémie Danthine is associate director at Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL Group), where she designs and deploys the group’s Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, including sustainable development, skills-based sponsorship, and ethical and social responsibility. She is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of EHL Group’s 2025 strategy.
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