These efforts are important for our business because they help create value and make the company more sustainable. We have internal action plans and targets that are reviewed annually to help us become an even stronger company when it comes to sustainability.
Since 2013, we have been a member of the UN Global Compact, a network and tool for companies that want to maintain an active focus on sustainability.
Every year, we prepare a sustainability report in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standard for sustainability reporting. You can find our sustainability report on the group website.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
The Olav Thon Group wants to contribute by minimising its negative impact, as well as increasing its positive impact, on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As a large buyer, group with many customers and employees, cornerstone company and district developer, the Olav Thon Group can contribute in numerous ways.
We must ensure we buy the raw materials that are best for the environment and social conditions. We must reduce our consumption in production and operations. We must influence our suppliers and ensure that the services we offer our customers are increasingly sustainable. We must streamline our daily operations. And we must be inclusive and contribute to a diverse business community.
These are the goals that we pursue:
Diversity and inclusion
The Olav Thon Group works continuously to be an inclusive employer and create diverse jobs. This is reflected in our recruitment process, but also in collaboration with various players who work to create inclusive jobs.
Thon Hotels is a participant in Ringer i Vannet (Ripples on water), a work and inclusion project organised by NHO. The goal of the project is to find jobs for the unemployed in NHO companies. We also have a partnership agreement with NAV Bjerke in Oslo. The purpose of these partnerships is to provide an arena for vocational training, so that we can contribute to increased access to regular employment.
Environment and certification
All Thon Hotels in Norway have Eco-Lighthouse (Miljøfyrtårn) certification.
Thon Hotels is one of Norway's largest hotel chains and we have a responsibility to contribute to a better environment. We have over two million overnight stays each year and by facilitating eco-friendly consumption, reducing waste and saving energy, we can have a significant positive environmental impact.
Since 2007, Thon Hotels has worked continuously to achieve Eco-Lighthouse (Miljøfyrtårn) certification for all its hotels. Thon Hotels has been certified according to the head office model since 2015. The model ensures anchoring of the environmental management system, where responsibility naturally belongs, and clarifies which processes and environmental requirements are met by the head office and which environmental requirements remain for local follow-up in the individual underlying unit.
Eco-Lighthouse (Miljøfyrtårn) is a publicly-approved third-party certification. We consider this certification the 'foundation' of our continuous environmental efforts.
When hotels are certified, there are various specific environmental measures and measuring parameters considered:
- Waste reduction and eco-friendly waste handling
- Use of chemicals
- Purchasing with a focus on environmentally friendly products
- Focus on measures for better working conditions
- Organic food (minimum 15 products)
The Olav Thon Group and Thon Hotels are also members of Grønt Punkt. This means that we take responsibility for all types of packaging through return systems approved by the Norwegian Environment Agency.
Sustainable energy
Thon Hotels purchases guarantees of origin for electricity consumption at Thon Hotels’ own hotels in Norway. A guarantee of origin is a guarantee that as much climate-neutral electricity is produced as is consumed. The electrical energy produced under the agreement is generated at Norwegian hydropower plants.
Matvett – a long-term agreement to reduce food waste by 2030
Objective: continuous efforts aimed at preventing and reducing food waste in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals and the 'Industry Agreement on the reduction of food waste'.
Thon Hotel collaborates with Too Good To Go as part of cutting food waste. Too Good To Go help restaurants and other food outlets to sell surplus food.
