Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, announces significant progress across its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) pillars, reaffirming its commitment to driving sustainable tourism and elevating Thailand’s hospitality sector through responsible and forward-thinking business practices.
Guided by its core philosophy of delivering warm Thai hospitality enriched with innovation, family values, and environmental responsibility, Centara continues to strengthen its long-term sustainability framework to ensure meaningful and measurable impacts for its guests, local communities, and the planet.
A Blueprint for a Brighter Future
Centara has been steadfast in advancing its environmental management practices since 2009, approaching two decades of tangible progress across all areas of ESG.
In line with its long-term sustainability vision, Centara has introduced the C-E-N-T-A-R-A Sustainability Blueprint, a comprehensive strategic framework that guides the company’s sustainable development in seven priority areas. This serves as the foundation for future initiatives, ensuring that environmental stewardship remains central to the group’s business operations.
Highlights and key milestones along Centara’s 16-year sustainability journey include:
2009: Adoption of the EarthCheck environmental management system across its hotels and resorts to ensure international-standard sustainable operations.
2014: Participation in Thailand’s Green Hotel certification programme under the Department of Climate Change and Environment.
2016: Launch of My Green Day, encouraging guest participation in reducing water usage and chemical consumption by opting out of linen and towel changes.
2018: Elimination of single-use plastics in guest service areas, including replacing plastic straws with plant-based options and switching to refillable in-room amenities.
2019: Introduction of the P.O.P. (Plastic Only, Please) initiative to encourage plastic recycling among guests and reduce plastic waste in natural environments.
2021: Achievement of Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) status for Centara EarthCare, reflecting internationally endorsed environmental standards.
2025: Achievement of full GSTC certification for all 42 Centara properties worldwide.
Centara continues to advance its environmental, social, and governance goals with strong momentum, reflecting its long-term commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism. The group has prioritised efficient resource management to reduce emissions and support the transition toward a low-carbon future, achieving a 35% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per occupied room—already surpassing industry benchmarks and nearing its 2029 target of 40%. With a roadmap to achieve net zero by 2050, Centara is reducing emissions intensity, integrating sustainable materials into its supply chain, and aligning investment decisions with environmental objectives. Its renewable energy programme has expanded, with solar cells installed across 14 hotels, generating 4,780 MWh of clean energy in 2025 and reducing more than 2,970 tonnes of CO₂e, while advanced efficiency systems such as smart sensors, EMS, and district cooling are helping optimise energy use. Water stewardship has also been a priority, with Centara reducing water consumption by 30.1% and recycling over 454,000m³ of treated wastewater for irrigation, alongside a 24.5% reduction in waste to landfill, rising recycling rates, and creative upcycling initiatives including PET-bottle products produced across Krabi hotels.
The group’s social and community programmes continue to strengthen inclusive growth and local empowerment. Since 2017, Centara has partnered with Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) to donate surplus food to vulnerable communities while reducing food waste. Through its “One Hotel, One Product” programme and community markets, Centara has supported local entrepreneurs by providing more than 6,300m² of complimentary retail space and showcasing over 6,000 locally made products. The brand remains committed to inclusive employment, exceeding legal requirements for hiring people with disabilities and offering expanded opportunities for senior workers, all underpinned by its “The Place to Be – Best Workplace” philosophy.
Governance remains a core pillar of Centara’s long-term strategy. The group has earned an “Excellent” five-star Corporate Governance rating for the sixth consecutive year from the Thai Institute of Directors and continues to uphold strong ethical standards through its long-standing membership in the Thai Private Sector Collective Action Coalition Against Corruption (CAC), receiving the CAC Change Agent Award for two consecutive years. To support ongoing ESG projects, Centara has also secured over THB 8.7 billion in sustainability-linked loans and green bonds, reinforcing its commitment to transparent, responsible, and future-focused growth.
“Business growth must go hand-in-hand with responsibility toward society, the environment, and the communities we serve,” said Thirayuth Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts “Achieving GSTC certification across all properties and making strong progress in reducing waste and emissions demonstrates our long-term commitment to environmental stewardship. We remain dedicated to innovating and advancing our ESG initiatives to create a meaningful, lasting impact, while providing exceptional, sustainable travel experiences for generations to come.”
For more information about Centara’s ESG initiatives, please visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com/sustainability