Luxury with Purpose

At InterContinental Sydney, we believe luxury hospitality and responsible operations should go hand in hand.

From reducing energy and water consumption to minimising waste, making more considered purchasing decisions and supporting our local community, we continue to look for meaningful ways to reduce our environmental impact while delivering an exceptional guest experience.

Green Key Certified

InterContinental Sydney is proud to be Green Key certified, recognising our commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable hotel operations.

Green Key is an international eco-certification programme for the tourism industry, with certified establishments required to meet rigorous criteria across environmental management, energy and water conservation, waste management and other sustainable practices.

Following an independent audit, InterContinental Sydney achieved Green Key certification in September 2026. The certification recognises the practices embedded throughout our hotel and our ongoing commitment to continually improving our environmental performance.

View our Sustainability policy

Our Sustainability Practices

Energy & Water

We continuously invest in technology and innovation to improve the efficiency of our hotel. Through IHG Green Engage, we monitor and manage our environmental performance, helping us track energy, water and carbon emissions. Recent investment in our intelligent Building Management System has delivered a further 7% reduction in energy consumption, building on more than 20% in cumulative savings achieved over the past decade.

Across the hotel, energy-efficient LED lighting, automated building controls and Guest Room Management Systems help optimise lighting, heating and cooling while maintaining guest comfort. Water consumption is monitored in real time through integrated submeters, supported by water-efficient fixtures throughout our guestrooms and public spaces. We have also achieved a 4-Star NABERS Energy Rating and continue to identify opportunities to further reduce our environmental footprint, including future electrification of our hot water systems.

Waste Reduction

Reducing waste is a priority across every area of the hotel. Guided by the principles of Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle, we continue to introduce initiatives that minimise waste and maximise resource recovery.

Single-use plastic cutlery has been removed from our food and beverage operations, filtered water stations are available throughout the hotel to reduce reliance on bottled water, and refillable bathroom amenity dispensers help reduce unnecessary packaging. Guests are encouraged to participate in our Green Stay programme through towel and linen reuse, while our teams minimise food waste through careful menu planning and forecasting. Waste is also carefully separated and recycled, including food waste, cooking oil, glass, cardboard, batteries and electronic waste.

Community

We recognise that sustainability extends beyond our hotel. Through partnerships with organisations including ReLove and OzHarvest, we support initiatives that reduce waste while making a positive contribution to the local community. These partnerships help divert valuable resources from landfill while supporting Australians experiencing hardship.

Responsible Operations

Our engineering team plays an important role in reducing the hotel’s environmental impact through planned preventative maintenance and continuous optimisation of our building systems. These initiatives improve operational efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and extend the lifespan of our equipment. We also encourage contractors and suppliers to adopt environmentally responsible materials and work practices wherever possible.

Sustainable Transport Options

Our central Circular Quay location makes it easy for guests to choose more sustainable ways to travel to and around Sydney. Circular Quay train, light rail and ferry services are just a three-minute walk from the hotel, providing convenient connections across the city, while Sydney Airport is easily accessible by train via the Airport Link.

For guests travelling by electric vehicle, InterContinental Sydney offers two EV charging connectors, providing charging up to 22kW. Electric taxis can also be arranged on request through our Concierge or Porter teams.

Guests looking to explore Sydney sustainably can take advantage of shared e-bikes regularly available nearby, while many of the city’s major attractions, dining precincts and business districts are within easy walking distance of the hotel.