Reflecting on the meaning behind Earth Day, celebrated each year on 22 April, we are reminded that protecting our planet is a shared responsibility. This year, the theme was, “Our power, our planet,” shining a spotlight on renewable energy and the role it plays in building a more sustainable future.

At City Lodge Hotels, this isn’t just a once-a-year conversation, it’s a daily commitment. Let’s unpack our journey.

Powering more sustainable stays

Since 2019, City Lodge Hotels has been on a renewable energy journey, steadily rolling out large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations across its properties. Today, 41 of its 66 hotels are equipped with solar power, helping reduce reliance on traditional energy sources.

From the first pilot project at Road Lodge Centurion to the flagship Courtyard Hotel Waterfall City, which was awarded a 4-star Green Building Council South Africa rating for Best Practice shortly after opening in 2021, the group continues to prioritise renewable energy, backup power solutions, and responsible energy management.

The goal is simple: deliver a comfortable, consistent guest experience while reducing environmental impact.

Saving energy can be fun

Sustainability doesn’t have to be serious all the time – it can also bring people together.

Earlier this year, Environmental Resource Optimizers (ERO) invited City Lodge Hotels to participate in the Earth Hour 2026 energy-saving competition, aligned with the global Earth Hour initiative on 28 March.

Green teams across the group took up the challenge to reduce electricity usage between 20:30 and 21:30 while creating engaging sustainability experiences for guests, staff, tenants, and local communities.

The result was a creative mix of candlelit moments, stargazing, digital detoxes, and awareness campaigns that made sustainability both visible and memorable.

In just one hour, participating hotels saved an impressive 54kW of energy, demonstrating that small actions, when taken together, can have a meaningful impact.

Sustainability by the numbers

City Lodge Hotels’ latest sustainability performance highlights the scale of its ongoing efforts:

• 3.8 million kWh of energy generated from solar PV installations (up from 2.4 million kWh in 2024)
• 20.9 kWh average electricity consumption per occupied room
• 0.33 kL average water consumption per occupied room
• 26,611 tCO₂e total Scope 1 and 2 emissions
• ~90% of eggs served across the group aligned with its cage-free commitment

These numbers reflect a careful balance of operational efficiency and environmental responsibility, now an essential part of modern, eco-friendly hospitality in South Africa.

Shaping sustainability from support office

Behind these figures is a long-term commitment driven by dedicated and sustainability-minded people across the group. Ross Phinn, Divisional Director: Operations, shares how sustainability has evolved at City Lodge Hotels and where it is heading next.

1)     Reflecting on nearly three decades with City Lodge Hotels, how have you seen the company’s approach to sustainability take shape?

When I started, sustainability was not something we spoke about explicitly – at least not in the way we do today. But even then, there was a strong culture of doing things efficiently and responsibly, with care for people and resources. What has changed is that those values have since been formalised. Today, responsible resource use is embedded in how we operate. It’s not just about compliance; it’s about resilience, efficiency, and protecting the future of our business. From energy and water management to waste and emissions reduction, sustainability has become part of our DNA.

2)    What makes you most proud of the progress so far?

Achieving ‘eco-proud’ status across all our hotels this year [2025] was a standout moment. But more than the recognition, it was the shared commitment behind it. Every hotel team played their part, using the tools we’ve put in place, and delivering measurable results. That kind of alignment and ownership is powerful. It shows that our systems are working, but more importantly, that our people care.

3)    Where do you see the biggest opportunity going forward?

The opportunity now is to lead. That means scaling what works, like solar, food waste diversion, and resilient infrastructure, while keeping things practical and people-led. The heart of our sustainability success lies in our teams: spotting anomalies, responding quickly, partnering locally. If we keep empowering that culture, we’ll not only meet our goals – we’ll redefine what sustainable operations can look like in hospitality.

Every stay makes a difference

Earth Day may be one day on the calendar, but at City Lodge Hotels, sustainability is built into everyday operations, from energy and water conservation to responsible sourcing and guest awareness. When it comes to protecting the planet, every action counts and every stay can make a difference.