New Dublin event ‘Less Shades, More Action’ to focus on practical staff training to cut emissions and lower costs.
Ireland’s tourism and hospitality sector is facing growing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint as new national and EU climate rules come into effect.
Against this backdrop, sustainability training firm Fifty Shades Greener, is planning a new industry event aimed at helping hotels and tourism businesses to take practical steps to cut emissions and operating costs.
“Hospitality businesses across Ireland are built on the very landscapes and cultural heritage that draw visitors in. Yet there is a growing disconnect between profiting from that natural beauty and taking responsibility for protecting it”
Taking place on 28 April at the Mayson Hotel in Dublin, the event entitled ‘Less Shades, More Action’ will bring together hospitality leaders, sustainability professionals and educators to examine how staff training and green skills can drive real change on the ground.
According to the company’s own research, by upskilling and training their staff on sustainable practices, hospitality businesses can achieve up to a 30% reduction in energy usage and costs.
Policy is pushing the green agenda
With the Irish Government introducing measures in 2025 to reduce the average carbon emissions per visitor bed night by 60% by 2030, the timing could not be more pressing. To support this goal, specific targets have been set for tourism businesses to complete environmental audits and implement emissions reduction measures.
In a similar vein, hospitality businesses, along with all other industries, will also need to comply with the EU’s Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive.
The law, which was transposed by all EU member states by the 27th of March this year, seeks to protect consumers against unfair commercial practices, specifically greenwashing. The directive will become full applicable from the 27th of September 2026, forcing organisations to validate their green credentials and ban vague environmental claims to discourage dishonest marketing.
“Hospitality businesses across Ireland are built on the very landscapes and cultural heritage that draw visitors in,” said Raquel Noboa, founder of Fifty Shades Greener.
“Yet there is a growing disconnect between profiting from that natural beauty and taking responsibility for protecting it.
The fact is that hospitality businesses have a responsibility to act. Implementing green upskilling and training for staff offers a practical solution – that benefits both the environment and businesses’ bottom line. This event is an opportunity for the hospitality sector to learn and move from awareness into action. Small steps, taken by the right people, can have a meaningful impact.”
Fifty Shades Greener’s event will explore how people-first sustainability improves margins, culture, and operational resilience for hospitality businesses.
With comedian, Barry Murphy, set to MC the event, guests will also hear from Dr Karl Thomas, founder of training company, Creatovation; Dr Susan Gill, Manager of Climate Strategy and Skills, SOLAS; and Jason Conlon, Assistant HR and Sustainability Manager, Mespil Hotel.
The event is open to all members of the hospitality sector including general managers, green managers, designers, educators and sustainability advocates.
Top image: Raquel Noboa, founder of Fifty Shades Greener
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