Analysis and benchmarking of greenhouse gas emissions of luxury hotels

Hotels are one of the most energy intensive building types due to their multi-usage functions and round the clock operations. We investigated the energy consumption of 58 Taiwanese luxury hotels for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4). The average yearly GHG emission density of the investigated hotels is 132kg-CO2e/m2. The results show an expected 29kg of equivalent carbon dioxide emission (CO2e) for each accommodated guest/night, or 50kg-CO2e generated for each room/night sold. A multiple regression model was established to normalize the GHG emission intensity, which includes GHG emissions potential variables and a benchmark model, plotted as a cumulative percentile distribution, in which hotels can rank their GHG emissions intensity. By comparing hotel GHG emission performances, hotel managers can determine if and where improvements should be implemented. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.