Sustainability
100% committed. Caring for the planet
Eco-Friendly Sustainable Hotel in Navarre: 100% Committed
RECOGNITION OF OUR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
CERTIFICATIONS
The only certified hotel in Europe covering Scopes 1, 2 and 3, with 100% of its carbon footprint offset through CPEN
At Arantza Hotela, calculating our carbon footprint enables us to identify and quantify the greenhouse gas emissions associated with our activity. It is an essential tool for understanding our impact, identifying where emissions come from and establishing measures to reduce them.
In a hotel, this impact goes far beyond the energy consumed by the establishment itself. Behind every stay lies an entire chain of activities, products and services that may also generate emissions.
That is why, at Arantza Hotela, we have chosen to take a comprehensive approach to our carbon footprint by covering Scopes 1, 2 and 3.
This commitment is developed within the framework of MITECO (Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge), which manages the Carbon Footprint Registry, and in collaboration with the European Union.
A comprehensive view of our activity
Not all emissions are generated in the same way or in the same place. To identify and analyse them, they are divided into three main categories, known as scopes. The GHG Protocol classifies direct emissions as Scope 1, indirect emissions from purchased energy as Scope 2, and all other indirect emissions throughout the value chain as Scope 3.
SCOPE 1 · DIRECT EMISSIONS
These are emissions generated directly by sources that form part of our activity and are under the organisation’s control.
This scope may include, for example, emissions resulting from fuel consumption in facilities owned or controlled by the organisation, as well as certain refrigerant gas leaks from air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment.
SCOPE 2 · PURCHASED ENERGY
This scope includes indirect emissions associated with the generation of the energy we purchase and consume in order to carry out our activity.
Although these emissions are not physically generated within the hotel, they are linked to the energy required for its operation and therefore form part of our carbon footprint assessment.
SCOPE 3 · OUR VALUE CHAIN
Our carbon footprint does not end at the hotel doors.
Scope 3 covers all indirect emissions associated with the hotel’s day-to-day operations: from food and cleaning products to IT equipment, booking platforms and the services provided by our suppliers. In other words, it encompasses everything required to carry out our activity.
Including this third scope allows us to broaden our perspective and gain a better understanding of the impact associated with our activity as a whole.
Measure to understand. Understand to improve
Calculating our carbon footprint is not simply about obtaining a figure.
It enables us to identify where our emissions are generated, analyse how they evolve over time and determine the areas in which we can take action. Measurement therefore becomes the starting point for establishing improvement measures and progressively reducing our impact.
At Arantza Hotela, this process forms part of our approach to sustainability: understanding the impact of our activity so that we can make more conscious and informed decisions.
WE CALCULATE · WE REDUCE · WE OFFSET
We calculate our carbon footprint to understand our impact.
We reduce our carbon footprint by committing to lowering greenhouse gas emissions compared with a reference year, achieving the established target within a maximum period of five years and certifying the reduction achieved.
We offset the emissions included in our calculated carbon footprint.
Offsetting our footprint while caring for our surroundings
At Arantza Hotela, we see sustainability as a commitment that goes beyond simply measuring our impact.
We calculate our carbon footprint, work continuously to reduce our emissions and offset the emissions included in the hotel’s calculated carbon footprint.
But where and how we offset those emissions also matters to us.
That is why we participate in the “Bosque CPEN” carbon sink projects in Lesaka and Legarda (Navarre), located close to Arantza and directly connected to the region we are part of.
What does carbon offsetting mean?
Offsetting means balancing greenhouse gas emissions through projects capable of removing CO₂ from the atmosphere.
Forests act as natural carbon sinks: as trees grow, they capture CO₂ from the atmosphere and store carbon in their biomass.
In this way, the protection and management of forest areas can help address the impact of emissions that cannot yet be avoided.
Offsetting close to home
Arantza Hotela participates in the “Bosque CPEN” carbon sink projects in Lesaka and Legarda, promoted by the Public Business Corporation of Navarre (CPEN).
The projects are registered in the carbon dioxide absorption projects section of the Carbon Footprint, Offsetting and Carbon Dioxide Absorption Projects Registry of the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, under identification codes 2024-b162 and 2025-b184.
This participation allows us to link our offsetting strategy to a forestry project in Navarre, located very close to Arantza Hotela and to the landscape that forms part of our identity.
Measure. Reduce. Offset
Three steps that reflect a single way of understanding our activity: enjoying this extraordinary environment also means taking responsibility for caring for it.
First 5-star hotel on the Iberian Peninsula to obtain the EU Ecolabel
Arantza Hotela is an eco-friendly and 100% sustainable hotel, committed to preserving its natural surroundings and to a responsible approach to hospitality that respects the environment.
This commitment led us to become the first 5-star hotel on the Iberian Peninsula to obtain the EU Ecolabel.
The EU Ecolabel is the European Union’s official environmental label, recognising accommodation establishments that meet demanding criteria designed to reduce their environmental impact.
These criteria cover areas such as efficient energy and water consumption, waste reduction, responsible use of resources, and environmentally responsible management.
EU ECOLABEL · Registration ES-NA/051/002
Energy efficiency: caring for what cannot be seen
At Arantza Hotela, we see sustainability as a series of decisions that shape how we care for this place. Some are part of the experience our guests can see; others, such as using energy responsibly, happen behind the scenes and affect the environment around us.
The building’s energy label measures its efficiency using two indicators: energy consumption and the associated CO₂ emissions. The certificate awards an A rating in both categories, the most efficient grade on a scale from A to G. It records energy consumption of 20.52 kWh/m² and emissions of 6.32 kg of CO₂/m² per year.
We share this information because we believe that caring for the nature around us also means measuring our impact and making the results visible. Energy efficiency is part of our ongoing commitment to enjoying Arantza while respecting its surroundings.
A commitment to sustainability translated into action
Arantza Hotela has obtained the Biosphere Certificate, recognising our commitment to sustainability and the continuous work we carry out through our sustainable management plan.
Biosphere is a management, recognition and certification system developed by the Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI). It enables businesses and destinations to incorporate sustainability principles into their management and daily operations. Its methodology is based on the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A comprehensive approach to sustainability
Sustainability is not limited solely to protecting the environment.
The Biosphere model takes a comprehensive approach that encompasses the different dimensions of sustainability. It enables each organisation to develop a plan tailored to its particular circumstances, establishing actions and objectives for continued progress and improvement.
This helps us examine our activity from a broader perspective: how we use resources, how we interact with our surroundings, the impact generated by our activity and the actions we can introduce to continue moving towards more responsible management.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals
The Biosphere methodology connects the actions undertaken by organisations with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the 169 targets of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
These goals address environmental, social and economic challenges, enabling sustainability to be understood as a global commitment to which every organisation can contribute through its own activity.
For Arantza Hotela, this methodology enables us to structure our actions, identify new areas for improvement and continue integrating sustainability into our daily management.
Verified actions
The Biosphere Certificate does not merely recognise an intention or a future commitment.
To obtain Biosphere Certified status, companies must provide evidence of the good practices they have implemented and undergo an independent third-party audit. During this process, the evidence submitted is verified and the organisation’s sustainability plan is assessed.
In this way, the certificate recognises both the measures already being implemented and the work carried out within a management model focused on continued progress.
A process of continuous improvement
For us, obtaining the Biosphere Certificate does not mean that we have reached the end of the journey.
The methodology itself is designed as an ongoing process based on developing an action plan, monitoring progress and continuing to introduce improvements. Biosphere also requires certified organisations to undergo annual audits.
At Arantza Hotela, this is precisely how we understand this recognition: as a tool that helps us review what we do, measure our progress and identify new opportunities to continue improving our relationship with the environment, with people and with the region to which we belong.
**MEASURE · ACT · EVALUATE · IMPROVE**
We measure to gain a better understanding of our impact.
We act through our sustainable management plan.
We evaluate the measures implemented and the progress we have made.
We improve continuously by introducing new objectives and actions.
BIOSPHERE CERTIFIED · RESPONSIBLE TOURISM INSTITUTE
Our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint is supported by AENOR certification, which verifies the measurement and reduction of emissions associated with our operations.
AENOR is a leading organisation in certification and conformity assessment, independently verifying compliance with standards and commitments in areas such as quality, sustainability and environmental management.
This certification brings rigour, transparency and independent verification to the work we carry out at Arantza Hotela to measure our impact and continuously reduce our emissions.
A recognition that reinforces our commitment to responsible and environmentally respectful management.
At Arantza Hotela, we integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda into our activity. Promoted by the United Nations, they provide a global framework for building a fairer, more balanced future that respects our planet.
Our location in a natural setting of exceptional value makes us particularly aware of the importance of protecting the land that surrounds us. We therefore understand sustainability as an ongoing commitment that shapes our daily decisions and the way we offer each experience.
This commitment translates into specific actions focused on the responsible use of water and energy, improving the efficiency of our facilities, reducing and properly managing waste, and encouraging more mindful consumption. We work to make better use of resources, reduce the impact of our activity and move towards an increasingly efficient and responsible hospitality model.
We are also committed to protecting the natural environment and biodiversity, promoting a respectful relationship with the landscape, forests and ecosystems that form part of Arantza’s identity. Our aim is to enable our guests to discover and enjoy this exceptional setting with care, tranquillity and respect.
Our responsibility also has a social and economic dimension. Whenever possible, we collaborate with local producers, professionals and businesses, helping to strengthen the local economy, create opportunities within the region and showcase its products, culture and traditions.
Environmental awareness and education are equally important to us. We involve our team in the continuous improvement of our practices and encourage our guests to embrace a more responsible way of travelling and enjoying their stay. We believe that wellbeing and environmental care can go hand in hand without compromising quality, comfort or a truly special experience.
Through these initiatives, we contribute particularly to the following Sustainable Development Goals:
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, through the mindful and efficient use of water.
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, by improving the energy efficiency of our facilities.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by supporting local employment and economic activity.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, by reducing waste and promoting a more responsible use of resources.
SDG 13: Climate Action, by work to understand, reduce and offset the impact of our activity.
SDG 15: Life on Land, by protecting and showcasing the natural environment and its biodiversity.
In this way, we continue moving towards a model of tourism that is more responsible, mindful and closely connected to the local area, capable of creating wellbeing for our guests while making a positive contribution to the environment and the community.
Committed to the Circular Economy
Arantza Hotela is a member of Navarra Zirkular, an initiative promoted by the Government of Navarre to support businesses in their transition towards a circular economy model.
The circular economy aims to make better use of resources and keep materials and products in use for as long as possible, reducing consumption, preventing unnecessary waste and encouraging reuse and recovery.
At Arantza Hotela, we incorporate these principles into our operations through the responsible use of resources, energy efficiency, waste reduction and proper waste management, and the responsible selection of products and services.
Our participation in Navarra Zirkular reinforces our commitment to more efficient and sustainable management, taking into account its environmental, economic and social dimensions.
Reducing, reusing and making better use of resources is also a way of caring for our environment.
Zero Waste · Commitment to Waste Reduction
Arantza Hotela is part of Zero Waste, a project supported by ANAPEH (Navarre Association of Small Hospitality Businesses) to promote sustainability and waste reduction in the tourism and hospitality sector.
ANAPEH is a business association in Navarre that represents and supports companies in the hospitality sector, promoting initiatives and tools that help improve their operations and make them more sustainable.
Through Zero Waste, participating companies have access to practical tools and solutions designed to prevent and reduce waste generation, improve waste management and use resources more efficiently.
At Arantza Hotela, we apply these principles to our daily operations, working to reduce waste, avoid unnecessary consumption and encourage a more responsible use of resources.
Our participation in Zero Waste reinforces our commitment to an approach to hospitality that is increasingly sustainable and respectful of the environment.
