Accor, the France-based hospitality group, has announced the launch of a new programme - Planet 21 - to underline its commitment to sustainable development over the coming years.

The operator said it aims to place sustainable hospitality at the heart of its operations and is to involve all hotels, employees and customers to help "reinvent" the hotel industry.

Planet 21 comprises a total of 21 commitments and quantified targets for 2015, including a 15 per cent and 10 per cent reduction in water and energy consumption respectively.

The programme is built on seven main pillars: health, nature, employment, innovation, local, carbon and employment. It also aims to promote responsible eating and eco-design.

As of the end of 2011, Accor said 68 per cent of its hotels used eco-labelled products and 62 per cent promote balanced diets. It is hoped those figures will rise to 85 per cent and 80 per cent by 2015 respectively.

Accor said the name Planet is designed to evoke sustainability, while 21 refers to Agenda 21 - an action plan adopted by 173 heads of state at the Rio Summit in 1992.

Denis Hennequin, chair and CEO of Accor, said: "With the Planet 21 programme, we are putting sustainable hospitality at the core of the group's strategy, development and innovation.

"I am convinced that sustainable development will lead us towards a new business model. Planet 21 gives us a fantastic driver of competitiveness for our brands, attractiveness for our customers and partners and loyalty for our employees."

Details: www.accor.com

Image: Accor's Hotel Pullman Lijiang Resort and Spa in China