Novotel Launches Ocean Protection Partnership with WWF

Sea turtles. Photo © Antonio Busiello / WWF-US

Novotel, the founding brand of French hospitality giant Accor, has partnered with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to protect and restore the oceans through scientific actions and conservation projects.

As part of a three-year agreement, running from 2024 to 2027, WWF France will provide the necessary know-how to the 580 Novotel hotels, helping them to have a positive impact on the oceans by guiding the brand and its subsidiaries in many aspects of their operations.

Additionally, Novotel will sponsor many of WWF’s major projects for marine protection. According to the brand, this initiative underscores Novotel’s long-standing commitment to supporting its guests’ quest for personal balance by promoting environmental stewardship.

“Together with our partners, teams, and guests, Novotel will lead the charge for a sustainable future for our oceans, ushering in a new era of environmental stewardship in our hotels,” said Karelle Lamouche, Chief Commercial Officer, Premium, Midscale, and Economy Division of Accor.

Novotel’s Positive Impact Plan

Posidonia Oceanica, marine plant. Photo © Michel Gunther / WWF

Balance is a core philosophy at Novotel, aiming to help guests combine their professional and personal lives. This new initiative to protect the oceans reinforces this commitment, recognizing that marine ecosystems are crucial for climate regulation and the protection of wildlife and habitats.

Novotel’s positive impact plan for ocean protection is based on three key principles highlighted by the United Nations:

– reducing marine pollution and ocean acidification caused by land-based activities;
– addressing overfishing and promoting sustainable fishing patterns;
– and strengthening scientific knowledge and research on ocean health.

Discarded fishing equipment, a major threat for marine ecosystem. Photo © Shutterstock / Aqua Images / WWF -Peru

Based on the above priorities, the plan foresees:

– Reducing the consumption of plastic, water, and energy at the brand’s hotels
– Promoting sustainable food choices, including less consumption of meat and fish
– Reducing food waste
– Enhancing education and awareness among visitors, hotel employees, and local communities about the necessity of ocean protection
– Contributing to research and sustainable innovation through collaborations with NGOs

According to Yann Laurans, Conservation Director of WWF France, the organization’s renowned technical and scientific expertise will help Novotel’s transition for the greater good of its business and the ocean.

Novotel’s initiatives to support WWF

WWF France’s Blue Panda vessel. Photo © Hugo Hebbe / WWF France

Novotel will support several significant WWF conservation projects, including:

– Protecting Posidonia Oceanica, an endemic Mediterranean flowering plant vital for 25 different marine ecosystems due to its CO2 absorption capability
– Tracking and collecting discarded fishing equipment
– Supporting WWF France’s Blue Panda vessel, which sails the Mediterranean to protect rare marine species
– Monitoring and tracking sea turtles in the Asia-Pacific region
– Protecting Western Atlantic Sea turtles, enhancing regional cooperation on sustainable fishing techniques, and combating illegal fishing.

Established in 1967 in France, Novotel is the founding brand of Accor, featuring 580 hotels worldwide across more than 65 countries.

For over 60 years, WWF has been the world’s leading conservation organization, working in nearly 100 countries to develop and deliver innovative solutions that protect communities, wildlife, and their habitats.