Sustainability
Working together for change
We know that we can only bring about change if we work together. That's why our employees play a key role in our sustainability goals, and why so many of the ideas we trial and implement come from them. As well as the Group-wide Sustainability division, we have sustainability teams based in every hotel. This means that we can tailor measures to the hotel, people and the environment – from smaller ideas like creating our own herb garden to large-scale regenerative farming cooperations. Wider initiatives such as «Cause We Care» or «OK:Go» inspire these causes.
Certified for the future
Our partners are with us on the net-zero path, boosting our knowledge and awareness along the way. Our hotels are now all «Swisstainable» Level II or III and ISO 14001-certified, and we already have fresh ideas for tomorrow.
As part of the Swiss Tourism Board's «Swisstainable» sustainability programme, we are committed to sustainable development. All 15 of our Sorell hotels are certified as «Swisstainable» Level II (engaged) and some as «Swisstainable» Level III (leading). The certification is based on a sustainability analysis, the results of which are used to plan and implement tailored sustainability measures for each location. Building on this, we will continue to work on the sustainability of our hotels, events and experiences in the future.
ibex fairstay certifies Swiss companies that take their responsibility for all-round sustainable action seriously. Many of our operations have already earned the ibex fairstay award for their sustainable management, and we are gradually seeing all our hotels through the certification process. Comprehensive calculations and analyses determine our potential, and we use those reports to draw up and actively address an action plan for further development. The awards are recognised as Swisstainable Level III (leading) by the Swiss Tourism Board.
Our integrated management system is certified according to the ISO 14001 environmental management standard. As part of our environmental management, we set environmental goals for each of our hotels and for the entire Group every year, systematically monitoring their achievement. This includes all areas of the hotel industry, from our restaurants and catering to our management and support processes. This helps us make continuous improvements when it comes to the environment. Again, our employees are with us every step of the way, as we train and continuously make them aware of environmentally friendly working methods.
To make it easier for people with mobility challenges to plan their trip, we are part of the «OK:GO» initiative. Guests with disabilities as well as seniors and families with small children can quickly and easily inform themselves about the hotel's accessibility setup for their arrival.
If you don't need your room cleaning and fresh laundry every day, you can save resources and opt out. With our Green Choice option, our guests can choose how often the room is cleaned.
«Cause we care» – funding for selected projects
We have been working with myclimate since 2019 and are part of their "Cause We Care" initiative. This involves including a voluntary "myclimate" contribution to our rate per person and night, which guests can opt out of paying. We double this amount and donate it to selected projects in the field of sustainability by giving to the "Cause We Care" fund. The money goes to schemes such as smart and regenerative farming or the promotion of e-mobility. Here are just a few of the projects that have already been initiated:
With a focus on regenerative mosaic agriculture, SlowGrow is committed to growing healthy food and developing future-oriented farming methods. Their sustainably grown vegetables are already on the menu at the Zürichberg restaurant. We support innovation and biodiversity with every dish we serve. And that's just the starting point for this partnership – as we hope to further develop and expand today's innovative farming methods on the land around Hotel Zürichberg in the future. Our vision is to bring fruit, vegetables and herbs straight from the field to the table.
Agroforestry refers to the combination of trees and agricultural production on the same area of land. This can make a major contribution to biodiversity, climate protection, adaptation to climate change, soil improvement and enhancing the cultural landscape. Thanks to the agroforestry funding programme, farms receive financial support to introduce this system. We supported the funding programme in 2023 and 2024 in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein.
In 2023, we implemented a total of 23 e-charging stations in our hotels in Zürichberg, Sonnental, Rex and Seefeld, supplying power with 100% renewable energy from hydropower.
Meeting places for today and tomorrow
As part of ZFV, we follow a holistic sustainability strategy across the board. ZFV went through the second stage of the Swiss Triple Impact (STI) sustainability programme in 2022 and prioritised five of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
Good health and well-being (SDG 3) is supported with activities and extra services, such as hiring bicycles and yoga mats for free. Gender equality (SDG 5) as well as Reduced inequalities (SDG 10) help us become a fairer employer, creating part-time jobs, extending fully paid maternity leave and opening up jobs for all. To meet the terms of Responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and Climate action (SDG 13), we minimise our food waste, use only seasonal ingredients and, wherever possible, regional and local produce. We buy fresh market goods and make sure our meat is prepared to order at Sorell breakfasts instead of serving it buffet-style.