Red Carnation Hotels Strengthens Sustainability Credentials with EarthCheck Certification
Red Carnation Hotels have achieved EarthCheck Silver Certification across their global portfolio of hotels.
Spanning properties in the UK and Ireland, Europe, and South Africa, the family-owned collection reached this milestone just 14 months after beginning certification with EarthCheck, a global leader in sustainable travel and tourism certification.
Building on its Bronze Certification in 2025, the achievement follows an independent third-party audit against the EarthCheck Certified Standard, assessing performance across key sustainability measures including energy and water consumption, carbon emissions, waste management and community impact.
“For every Red Carnation hotel to achieve EarthCheck Silver certification within 14 months is a significant achievement. What stands out is that this commitment has been embedded across the entire portfolio, rather than concentrated in a handful of flagship properties. That takes leadership, investment and, importantly, people on the ground who are prepared to measure performance and manage it every day. Results like this don't happen by chance. Red Carnation put the time and resources in at every property, from London to Cape Town, and that shows," Stewart Moore, CEO and Founder, EarthCheck
This certification reflects the collective efforts of teams across Red Carnation Hotels. Renowned for heartfelt service, long-standing team members and loyal returning guests, the collection has long embraced responsible hospitality as part of its commitment to caring for people, places and communities. The certification programme provided an opportunity to measure impact more comprehensively, set ambitious objectives and further strengthen responsible practices across the portfolio.
Each hotel appointed dedicated data managers and coordinators to lead the certification process locally and monitor progress. Silver certification is awarded once all performance requirements have been met, following an independent external on-site audit across 10 key performance areas.
Across the collection, properties bring this approach to life through trusted local supplier partnerships, thriving kitchen gardens, community-led programmes and guest Impact Experiences. Together with AI-powered food waste reduction technology, enhanced reporting and biodiversity-focused projects, these initiatives create meaningful positive impact while helping ensure luxury is delivered with consideration for both the planet and future generations.
Key Achievements & Initiatives
The Chesterfield Mayfair, the hotel that marked the beginning of the Red Carnation story in 1984, became the first property in the collection to achieve EarthCheck Silver Certification earlier this year, reflecting how sustainability is now firmly embedded in day-to-day operations.
At The Oyster Box in South Africa, water consumption fell by 58%, while emissions intensity fell by almost the same amount, representing the largest reductions across the collection. The Lodge at Ashford Castle in Ireland reduced water consumption by 48%, while The Rubens at the Palace and Hotel 41, neighbouring hotels in Victoria, London, achieved the lowest emissions intensity in the portfolio at just 3.29 kg/GN.
Eight properties also reported zero landfill waste intensity, demonstrating the measurable impact of the collection's sustainability programme. Beyond operational improvements, each hotel offers dedicated Impact Experiences that invite guests to engage with local communities, conservation projects and cultural traditions in meaningful ways. From partnerships with The Clink Restaurant at HMP Brixton and hidden wildlife experiences in London, to youth empowerment initiatives in Cape Town, each experience reflects the character of its destination while creating positive impact.
At Ashford Castle, guests can discover a collection of Exceptional Irish Experiences that celebrate the country's rich cultural heritage while supporting local artists, artisans and food producers. From meeting traditional blacksmiths, furniture makers, wool spinners and ceramicists to learning the art of Irish soda bread, butter making and ancient storytelling traditions, these experiences champion authentic local culture. The estate’s dedication to sustainability is equally evident in its flourishing garden project, developed using ‘no dig’ and biodynamic principles, with more than 70 beds dedicated to fruit, vegetables and edible flowers, alongside beehives, a truffle grove and a recently planted 300-tree apple orchard. The estate's partnership with Hometree also supports native woodland restoration, while the integration of the AI food-waste-reduction solution Winnow reduced food waste by 69% last year.
Meanwhile, at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat in South Africa's Cederberg Mountains, conservation lies at the heart of the guest experience. Set within a 7,500-hectare private reserve, the property protects more than 200 recorded animal species, 755 indigenous fynbos plant species and one of the world's largest private herds of Cape Mountain Zebra. Guests can take part in immersive conservation-focused experiences, including visits to endangered sandfish breeding programmes, habitat restoration projects, organic gardens and initiatives protecting the Clanwilliam Cedar Tree. Through partnerships with organisations such as the Cape Leopard Trust and Cheetah Outreach, alongside the preservation of more than 130 ancient rock art sites, Bushmans Kloof continues to demonstrate how luxury tourism can play a meaningful role in protecting both biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Michelle Devlin, Vice President of Sustainability at Red Carnation Hotels, comments: “Achieving EarthCheck Silver Certification across our entire collection is an extraordinary achievement and one that belongs to our hotel teams around the world. At Red Carnation, sustainability has never been a standalone initiative. It is woven into every aspect of what we do, whether that's nurturing our kitchen gardens and beehives, supporting conservation and community projects, reducing waste, or creating experiences that help guests connect more meaningfully with their destination. It is about ensuring that the positive impact we create extends far beyond a guest's stay. This success reflects the hard work, collaboration and dedication from our teams, and it also marks an exciting step forward as we continue our journey with EarthCheck. Looking after our communities and the environments that surround our hotels has never been more important, and our focus remains on creating meaningful, lasting change while ensuring a thoughtful and responsible approach to luxury hospitality."
For further information or to book, please visit: https://redcarnationhotels.com/.
Comments