The Radisson Hotel Group has extended its 'Verified Net Zero' programme to three additional hotels in Norway. After extensive conversion and independent verification, the Radisson Blu hotels in Bergen, Trondheim, and Tromsø have received 'Verified Net Zero' status. This marks the first time that existing upper-upscale hotels with extensive conference and event business have been integrated into this programme. In Norway, the group now operates four hotels with this status, including the already certified Radisson RED Oslo City Centre.
The expansion of the programme represents a significant step, which was announced at the International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF) in Berlin in March. There, the transition from the initial pilot projects in Manchester and Oslo to a structured expansion of the programme was communicated, which begins in Norway. With the successful certification of the three additional properties, the programme enters its next implementation phase.
Requirements for existing properties
A specific characteristic of the newly certified hotels lies in their size and the significant proportion of conference and event business. The three properties collectively feature more than 900 rooms and 49 conference and event spaces. This development demonstrates the feasibility of the approach even in established upper-upscale hotels with high occupancy rates and extensive event capacities.
- —Radisson Blu Royal Garden Hotel, Trondheim: The hotel is centrally located on the Nidelva River and offers 298 rooms and 15 meeting rooms for up to 650 people.
- —Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Bergen: This property is located at the UNESCO World Heritage site Bryggen and comprises 342 rooms and 21 event venues across 2,100 square metres.
- —Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromsø: Situated in the Norwegian Arctic, it has 269 rooms and 13 meeting rooms, including the divisible Tromsøsaal, which offers capacities for up to 650 people.
Inge Huijbrechts, Chief Sustainability & Security Officer at Radisson Hotel Group, stated that the experience from the first 'Verified Net Zero' hotels in Manchester and Oslo confirmed the functionality of the approach. This is now being specifically transferred to larger, existing hotels with intensive event operations. Energy-related emissions would be avoided, and operational Scope 3 emissions consistently reduced, without compromising the guest experience or event capacities. The independent verification ensures transparency and offers guests, event planners, and corporate clients the assurance that stays, meetings, and events adhere to precisely defined and audited Net Zero criteria.
Methodology and future prospects
The underlying programme is based on a strict reduction approach across all three emission scopes of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. The methodology follows the industry-wide 'Net Zero Methodology for Hotels', a framework for decarbonisation by 2040, which is aligned with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions from energy consumption are eliminated through electrification, renewable district heating and cooling, and the exclusive use of renewable energy. Operational Scope 3 emissions, which result for example from Food & Beverage, waste, laundry, guest amenities, and procurement, are reduced through targeted measures. The aim is to integrate these changes into ongoing hotel operations without limiting the offering for guests. The Net Zero status primarily results from the consistent avoidance and reduction of emissions. A small, technically unavoidable residual amount is ultimately compensated by permanent, certified CO₂ removal from regenerative agriculture in Europe. Each hotel is independently audited by TÜV Rheinland.
With now four 'Verified Net Zero' hotels, Norway establishes itself as a starting point for the upcoming expansion phase. The Radisson Hotel Group plans to include further existing hotels in Europe and other markets in the programme by 2026. The long-term goal is to operate 100 'Verified Net Zero' hotels worldwide by 2030.
