After a three-year project funded by the European Union, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has published the nearly-Zero Energy Hotels (neZEH) e-toolkit. This online resource helps hotels evaluate their current energy use through a structured questionnaire and points them to practical measures that improve energy efficiency and sustainability.
The toolkit is designed to support hotels in meeting the nearly-Zero Energy Buildings requirements that apply across European Union member states from 2020. Those regulations call for buildings to achieve high levels of energy performance while minimizing energy demand and supplying a significant portion of that energy from on-site or nearby renewable sources.
By guiding property managers through assessment, design and implementation steps, the neZEH e-toolkit identifies opportunities to reduce consumption, optimize systems and integrate renewable technologies. Advice ranges from low-cost operational changes to design strategies for new builds or major renovations, helping hotels prioritize actions that deliver the best energy savings and return on investment.
Taleb Rifai, former UNWTO secretary-general, described the initiative as a strong demonstration of the tourism sector’s commitment to tackling climate change, noting that the project reflects both concern and practical action in the industry.
As part of the project’s pilot phase, 16 hotels across Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Romania, Spain and Sweden were certified as neZEH hotels. Those pilot properties served as real-world examples, testing best practices and providing case studies to help other hotels in Europe adopt similar energy-efficient measures.
The e-toolkit is particularly useful for hoteliers who need to comply with energy performance regulations, but it also benefits businesses looking to reduce operating costs, enhance guest comfort and strengthen their sustainability credentials. The toolkit’s assessment process helps users quantify potential energy and cost savings, prioritize interventions and track progress over time.
Key features of the toolkit include an energy assessment questionnaire tailored to hotel operations, guidance on energy management and technical improvements, and recommendations for integrating renewable energy sources. The toolkit is structured to be accessible to properties of different sizes and operational models, from small boutique hotels to larger chains.
Beyond technical guidance, the neZEH project emphasized knowledge sharing and capacity building. The pilot hotels provided insights into practical implementation issues—such as phasing upgrades, financing options and staff training—that can help other establishments overcome common barriers to energy upgrades.
Overall, the nearly-Zero Energy Hotels e-toolkit offers a clear, practical pathway for hotels in Europe to improve energy performance, comply with regulatory requirements and contribute to broader climate goals. By combining assessment tools, technical guidance and real-world examples, the toolkit supports hoteliers in making informed decisions that reduce environmental impact while improving operational efficiency.