From Sustainability Reporting to Strategy: Evaluating Waste Management Disclosures and CSRD Readiness in Hotel CSR Reports in Greece

This paper highlights the gap between the existing sustainability public disclosures in the hotel industry and the new requirements introduced by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) in Europe. It uses the case of Greece and focuses on the material topic of waste management. The content analysis of 49 sustainability reports of hotels based in Greece finds that recycling, managing food waste, reducing waste, educating staff and customers on waste-related issues, and sustainable procurement are some of the waste-related key issues affecting the hotel industry in Greece. A gap analysis of the key performance indicators used in the reports and the CSRD and Global Reporting Initiative requirements on waste management finds that most hotels are not prepared for CSRD, but almost half report on their recycling streams. This paper views the new sustainability reporting mandate as an opportunity for improvement of hotel operations, rather than merely as a regulatory obligation. By addressing the requirements of sustainability reporting, hotels can enhance their operations and managerial processes using a strategic CSR approach.