IHG Hotels & Resorts Launches First Low-Carbon Pioneer Hotel in Asia
IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced that the Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay is the first IHG hotel in Asia to join the company’s Low Carbon Pioneer program. This initiative is a global effort aimed at IHG properties that demonstrate energy efficiency, avoid using fossil fuels on-site for combustion, and utilize renewable energy sources.
Since opening in 2014, Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay has incorporated sustainability-focused design, including a fully electric kitchen, hot water heat pumps, high-efficiency water fixtures, and an intelligent building management system that optimizes energy use. The hotel also features solar glazing and advanced lighting controls to use daylight and electricity efficiently.
The hotel has received GSTC certification, a global standard for sustainable travel and tourism, and has achieved the Water Efficient Building Certification from PUB. In 2025, it received recognition from the Singapore Hotel Association for its sustainability practices.
Singapore’s hospitality industry is advancing sustainability through initiatives such as the Hotel Sustainability Roadmap, led by the Singapore Hotel Association and Singapore Tourism Board. The roadmap aims for 60% of hotels to achieve internationally recognized sustainability certification by 2025 and targets net-zero emissions in the sector by 2050.
IHG’s Low Carbon Pioneer programme is part of its Journey to Tomorrow responsible business plan, aiming to reduce carbon emissions across its portfolio. Future projects, such as Hotel Indigo Changi Airport, opening in 2028, aim to achieve “zero-energy” certification under the Singapore BCA Green Mark Scheme.
Kishin RK, Founder and CEO of RB Capital Group, said: “Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay joining the Low Carbon Pioneer programme reflects our commitment to supporting Singapore’s sustainability roadmap and reducing our hotels’ carbon footprint.”
Vivek Bhalla, Managing Director, South East Asia & Korea, IHG Hotels & Resorts, added: “The inclusion of this hotel in the Low Carbon Pioneer programme marks a milestone in IHG’s responsible business plan. We aim to work closely with partners to manage environmental impacts and encourage other hotels in the region to adopt sustainability practices.”
The programme brings together low-carbon hotels to share findings on sustainability measures, support hotel owners in future-proofing their properties, and provide benefits such as eligibility for green financing, regulatory alignment, and increased preference from guests and corporate clients for sustainable stays.
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