Takeaways

• Accor published its first CSRD-aligned sustainability report in March 2025, supported by Wavestone.
• The initiative united teams across functions, setting a common ESG language and winning industry recognition.
• Beyond compliance, the project is fueling a cultural shift toward long-term sustainable performance in hospitality.

Accor, one of the world’s largest hospitality groups, has turned regulatory compliance into a growth opportunity with the release of its first CSRD-aligned sustainability report in March 2025. Developed in partnership with Wavestone, an international consulting firm, the report met European requirements for non-financial transparency and positioned the group as a leader in sustainable hospitality.

The effort earned immediate recognition, with Accor winning the award for Best CSRD Reporting at the 2025 Sustainability Awards. The accolade highlighted the clarity, methodology, and transparency of its sustainability disclosures.

From Compliance to Transformation

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), introduced in Europe, has set more stringent standards for sustainability reporting. Rather than treating it as a compliance exercise, Accor used the process as a catalyst for transformation. The group consolidated hundreds of ESG data points, engaging more than 100 representatives across departments, including Sustainability, Finance, Legal, Procurement, and IT.

This large-scale project, known as SHARP (Sustainable Hospitality Accor Reporting Project), created a unified framework to address climate action, biodiversity, community engagement, and other priorities. A cross-functional task force, backed by senior leadership including Chairman and CEO Sébastien Bazin, guided key decisions.

Read More: The Rise of Mandatory ESG Reporting Under CSRD: What Organizations Need to Know

Expanding the Reporting Scope

Although not required to include hotels under management contracts in its direct reporting scope due to its asset-light model, Accor voluntarily chose to do so. This decision reflected the group’s commitment to accountability and its responsibility across its global hospitality network.

Another major achievement was refining its double materiality analysis, which assessed impacts, risks, and opportunities through input from NGOs, investors, clients, and employees. This analysis helped identify sector-specific issues such as sustainable food and water management, ensuring the report addressed challenges most relevant to hospitality.

Cultural Shift Toward Sustainability

Accor also focused on creating an internal culture of sustainability. Through webinars, newsletters, and collaborative workshops, employees across regions adopted a common ESG language. A test run of the reporting process ensured reliability, while early alignment with auditors streamlined reviews.

The initiative produced tangible outcomes, including a new Nature policy, a climate transition plan, and enhanced data collection on human resources and circular economy initiatives. More importantly, it created momentum for cross-functional collaboration on sustainability issues, incorporating ESG principles into the group’s governance.

A Foundation for Future Growth

For Accor, the success of SHARP lies not just in awards or compliance, but in the collective ownership of sustainability. “This project’s success is rooted in the powerful synergy of our finance, sustainability and operations teams, united behind a single goal. More than a milestone, it’s the launchpad for a bold, integrated vision of performance,” said Victor Genin, VP Sustainable Performance at Accor.

The group is now looking to build on this foundation with new action plans on emerging issues such as water resource management and local community engagement. Plans to upgrade its ESG Information System with Wavestone will further strengthen data reliability and automation.

Also Read: Double Materiality: Assessments, Matrix, and CSRD Impacts

By embedding sustainability at every level, Accor is shaping a model of sustainable growth in hospitality, one that balances business performance with environmental and social responsibility.

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Source: WAVESTONE