Two years into its partnership with WWF France, Novotel continues to make meaningful progress across its global network of more than 600 hotels. Through its Positive Impact Plan, the brand is advancing sustainable operations, responsible dining, ocean education and marine conservation projects around the world.
Ahead of World Ocean Day (8 June), Novotel has released its second Ocean Impact Report, highlighting the progress made over the past year while reinforcing its long-term commitment to protecting the world’s oceans.
Launched in 2024, the partnership with WWF France supports healthier oceans through practical action across Novotel’s hotels and beyond. The initiative is based on four key pillars: reducing operational impact, promoting more sustainable food choices, increasing ocean awareness, and supporting scientific research and conservation.
“At Novotel, we believe hospitality should positively contribute to the wellbeing and longevity of both people and planet,” said Jean-Yves Minet, Global Brand President, Novotel. “Over the past year, we have continued turning ambition into action across our hotels, from reducing single-use plastics and advancing sustainable seafood practices to expanding training and supporting critical marine conservation projects with WWF. What matters is the collective impact of consistent action at global scale — where every operational improvement, trained team member, responsible menu choice, and conservation project helps protect the long-term health and longevity of our oceans. There is still much more to do, but this report demonstrates meaningful momentum and reinforces our long-term commitment to helping protect the oceans.”
A Year of Progress Across the Novotel Network
Reducing Environmental Impact
Novotel continues to improve hotel operations to help reduce its impact on the environment.
- 92% of Novotel hotels now comply with Accor’s single-use plastics policy.
- 73% of the hotel network has achieved third-party eco-certification.
- Hotels continue to reduce waste and encourage more responsible use of resources.
More Sustainable Food
Novotel is expanding healthier, more sustainable dining options while improving seafood sourcing across its hotels.
- Half of Novotel hotels now offer menus with at least 25% vegetarian or plant-based dishes.
- The brand partnered with chef and content creator Alfie Steiner to introduce more plant-forward dishes.
- 41% of Novotel hotels have removed more than 350 vulnerable seafood species from their menus, following WWF Sustainable Seafood Principles.
- More than 1,600 chefs and kitchen team members have completed WWF Sustainable Seafood Training.
- Seafood traceability programmes continue across Asia, Europe, Brazil and the Middle East.
In 2025, Novotel became the first hospitality brand to join the Seafood Task Force, helping improve transparency and traceability throughout seafood supply chains. The brand also continues to strengthen seafood sourcing initiatives across Asia, Europe and Brazil in partnership with WWF and industry organisations.
Ocean Education and Awareness
Novotel continues to help guests, families and hotel teams better understand the importance of protecting the oceans.
- More than 3,200 hotel team members have completed Ocean Awareness Training.
- Educational family games developed with WWF continue to roll out globally.
- Hotels around the world marked World Ocean Month with guest and community activities.
- Novotel participated in the United Nations Ocean Conference in 2025.
- The brand has partnered with wildlife photographer and conservation biologist Kaushiik Subramaniam to launch the “1% for the Ocean” initiative.
- A new virtual reality ocean photography exhibition is launching across 12 Novotel hotels to inspire guests to support ocean conservation.
“Hotels welcome millions of guests every year, giving us a unique opportunity to raise awareness and encourage simple actions that can help protect our oceans,” added Jean-Yves Minet.
Supporting Research and Marine Conservation
Through its partnership with WWF France, Novotel continues to support marine conservation projects worldwide, including:
Protecting Posidonia Seagrass Meadows
- 41 eco-friendly mooring buoys installed across the French Mediterranean in 2025.
- Further expansion planned for 2026.
Removing Ghost Fishing Gear
- More than 1,094 hectares surveyed in Calanques National Park.
- 86 ghost nets identified and 14 removed.
- The programme will expand into the Baltic Sea in 2026.
Supporting the Blue Panda Research Vessel
- Scientific research missions continued across the Mediterranean.
- Researchers recorded the first electrocardiogram from a whale in the Mediterranean Sea.
- More than 250 people took part in events during the United Nations Ocean Conference.
Protecting Sea Turtles
- Youth ambassadors in French Guiana and Guyana continue to support marine turtle conservation through education and community engagement.
Blue Corridors for Turtles
- The first Blue Corridors for Turtles report was released in 2025.
- More than 50 new satellite tracking datasets were added to support global research.
Ludovic Frère Escoffier, Ocean Programme Manager at WWF France, said the partnership demonstrates how the hospitality industry can contribute to marine conservation through operational improvements, scientific research and public awareness.
What’s Next for Novotel?
Novotel will continue expanding its Positive Impact Plan across its global network.
Future priorities include:
- Expanding seafood traceability programmes.
- Increasing sustainability training across hotel teams.
- Introducing more plant-forward menu options.
- Supporting new marine conservation projects in the Baltic Sea and Australia.
- Continuing to educate and engage guests on ocean preservation.
Novotel remains committed to helping protect the world’s oceans while creating a more sustainable future for hospitality and travel.
For more information about Novotel’s sustainability initiatives, the brand’s partnership with WWF France, and to read the Novotel Ocean Impact Report in full, visit Novotel – Ocean.
