Hotel: SQUAKE

💡 High-Level Description

SQUAKE, while drawing its foundation from the established HCMI and CHSB methodologies, has added a novel twist to the world of hotel carbon calculation by integrating support for eco-labels. Building on the rigorous standards of HCMI, which offers a consistent method for determining and articulating the carbon footprint of hotel facilities and meetings, and the benchmarking prowess of CHSB, SQUAKE has optimized these methodologies for the modern, environmentally-conscious traveler. By accommodating eco-labels, SQUAKE allows hotels not only to calculate and communicate their carbon footprints but also to differentiate themselves through recognized environmental certifications. This integration aids consumers in making informed choices based on the sustainability credentials of a hotel, moving beyond just carbon footprints to a broader understanding of a hotel's holistic environmental impact.

The inclusion of eco-labels in SQUAKE's methodology represents an evolution in hotel sustainability metrics. By offering a comprehensive view that encompasses both carbon calculations and eco-labels, SQUAKE is pushing the boundaries of transparency in the hotel sector, empowering consumers, and driving hotels towards more sustainable operations.

Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative

Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative (HCMI) is a free methodology and tool for hotels to calculate the carbon footprint of hotel stays and meetings in their properties.

The methodology was developed by the hospitality industry to create a consistent methodology for all hotels to measure and communicate their carbon impact. HCMI is currently being used by over 25,000 hotels globally. The ambition is that, through widespread use of HCMI, understanding, transparency, and accuracy across the industry will be improved.

Cornell Hotel Sustainability Benchmarking Index

The Cornell Hotel Sustainability Benchmarking Index (CHSB) is an industry-led global data collection and benchmarking initiative, with data on energy, water, and carbon emissions from over 20,000 hotels around the world. Participants in the CHSB index include major hotel brands, operators, and owners, representing all regions of the world.

The public dataset is published by Cornell’s School of Hospitality Research free of charge and contains average hotel performance for different types of hotels in different geographies. Hotels that participate directly in the index receive a confidential, bespoke benchmarking report showing how they are performing against their competitive set.

CHSB data is used by governments, corporate customers, travel management companies, and numerous other organizations to determine benchmarks and estimates for energy and water usage, and carbon footprints.

GHG Protocol

GHG Protocol establishes comprehensive global standardized frameworks to measure and manage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from private and public sector operations, value chains, and mitigation actions.

Building on a 20-year partnership between World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), GHG Protocol works with governments, industry associations, NGOs, businesses, and other organizations.

Sample API Request

{
  "expand": [
    "items"
  ],
  "items": [
    {
      "type": "hotel",
      "methodology": "SQUAKE",
      "external_reference": "string",
      "hotel_type": "suburban_location",
      "stars": 4,
      "country": "CN",
      "city": "Lanzhou",
      "hotel_name": "Xiangxi Cultural Inn In The Dream",
      "code": "877089",
      "code_type": "giata",
      "room_type": "triple",
      "number_of_visitors": 3,
      "eco_label": ["earthcheck"],
      "number_of_nights": 3
    }
  ]
}

API Request Items

• "type": "hotel" (required)

• "methodology": "SQUAKE" (required)

• "external_reference": A unique identifier that helps link the resulting emissions to the requested item. Especially useful if multiple items are requested since SQUAKE cannot guarantee to keep the same order. The maximum length is 128 characters.

• "stars": Stars is mutually exclusive with hotel_type; stars is prioritized over hotel_type. Minimum value is 1, maximum value is 5.

• "country": Two-letter or three-letter code as defined in ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 and alpha-3 respectively. Minimum length is 2, maximum length is 3.

• "city": Here is the database
• "state": Here is the database
• "number_of_nights": Minimum value is 1.

• "garage": Default value is false.

• "parking": Default value is false.

• "eco_labels": Eco-labels are returned in case an eco-label is assigned to the hotel. In case you are aware of the eco-labels that apply to specific hotels, you can pass them to us and we will consider them. Here you can find a list of our eco-labels.
• "hotel_type": hotel_type is mutually exclusive with stars, stars is prioritized over hotel_type. Available values include: airport_location, convention_hotel, extended_stay, full_service_nonresort, full_service_resort, hotel_average, etc. Default value is "hotel_average".

• "code_type": The code type of the passed code. Values are amadeus, booking.com, galileo_apollo, giata, sabre_tn, or worldspan.

• "code": The hotel code from the specified code type.

• Default values

  • "hotel_type": "hotel_average"

Sample API Response

{
    "carbon_quantity": 264919,
    "carbon_unit": "gram",
    "items": [
        {
            "carbon_quantity": 264919,
            "carbon_unit": "gram",
            "external_reference": "string",
            "type": "hotel",
            "methodology": "SQUAKE",
            "eco_labels": [
                {
                    "id": "earthcheck",
                    "name": "EarthCheck",
                    "link": "https://earthcheck.org/",
                    "description": "EarthCheck, founded in 1987, is an international eco-label that aids tourism businesses and governments in fostering sustainable destinations. Working with experts, it promotes ethical standards and conserves environments in over 70 countries. EarthCheck Codes: 13677, 6223"
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}

Bibliography

• Ricaurte, Eric. Hotel Sustainability Benchmarking Index 2024: Carbon, Energy, and Water. 2024

• Business Case for Sustainable Hotels (2020, March). Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. Retrieved from https://sustainablehospitalityalliance.org/resource/business-case-for-sustainable-hotels/

• Global Hotel Decarbonisation report (2017, November). Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. Retrieved from https://sustainablehospitalityalliance.org/resource/global-hotel-decarbonisation-report/

• Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality (n.d.). Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. Retrieved from https://sustainablehospitalityalliance.org/our-work/pathway/

• State of Green: Greenprint Performance Report, Volume 12 (2021, August 10). Knowledge Finder. Retrieved from https://knowledge.uli.org/en/Reports/Research%20Reports/2021/State%20of%20Green%20Greenprint%20Performance%20Report%20Volume%2012

• Sustainability and Business Travel (n.d.). Greenview. Retrieved from https://greenview.sg/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Greenview-Biz-Travel-Carbon-Footprint-FINAL.pdf

• Top Countries for Sustainable Tourism (n.d.). Euromonitor International. Retrieved from https://go.euromonitor.com/white-paper_Travel-and-Tourism-21-03-12_Top-Countries-for-Sustainable-Tourism.html

• Marras, Chiara. “How Much CO2 Can You Save With a Green Hotel?” Ecobnb, 1 Apr. 2016, ecobnb.com/blog/2016/03/co2-save-green-hotel