Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has pledged to expand its responsible procurement efforts to cover the key priority categories of seafood, coffee, tea, vanilla, cocoa and cage-free eggs.
In 2012, Mandarin Oriental was among the first luxury hospitality organizations to ban shark’s fin from its menus. The group has since continued to expand global responsible commitments, with formal policies, strategy and processes now serving as the foundation for efforts to purchase more sustainably and ethically.
Mandarin Oriental works closely with suppliers to identify and procure quality products that are produced with respect to human and labor rights and consideration for the environment. The new targets for all Mandarin Oriental-operated outlets include 100 percent compliance with the company's “Avoid List” of endangered seafood species by the end of 2022; 100 percent responsibly sourced coffee, tea, vanilla and cocoa by the end of this year; and 100 percent cage-free eggs (shelled and liquid) by the end of 2023.
To ensure that progress is measured and reported in a transparent manner, each hotel’s responsible procurement status will be independently verified by the internationally recognized third-party assessor, LRQA.
The group partners with industry peers and leading NGOs in advancing sourcing practices and expanded its "Avoid List" of endangered seafood from eight to 19 seafood types this year, covering all at-risk seafood types identified by the latest “World Wide Fund for Nature’s Endangered Seafood Guide.” This expansion of commitment reflects stepping away from serving several seafood items termed “luxury,” including bluefin tuna, caviar and abalone—unless they can be certified to the standards of the Marine Stewardship Council or Aquaculture Stewardship Council.
Good to know: Amber at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, received a Green Star in the “2022 Michelin Guide,” in addition to its two Michelin stars. This award was in recognition of the restaurant’s sustainable practices, including a dairy-free and less meat-centric menu, and the use of local organic produce, sustainably harvested seafood and responsibly sourced agricultural commodities.
Progress on Mandarin Oriental’s global initiatives are regularly communicated, including via the company’s Sustainability Reports, and are supported by the dedication of the group’s 10,000 plus colleagues who continue to identify impactful ways to respond to local community and environmental needs. The next Sustainability Report is likely to be released in spring 2022.
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