Our Commitment
Our company was founded in 1960 by Isadore Sharp, a young Canadian architect who believed in only operating medium-sized hotels of exceptional quality with an objective to be the best.
As Isadore expanded the company into what soon became one of the world’s leading luxury hospitality brands, he never lost sight of his guiding principle of the Golden Rule – the simple idea that we should treat others the way we would want to be treated. Today, Isadore Sharp’s vision remains deeply embedded in our company’s culture and provides the foundation for our Four Seasons for Good program.
Isadore and his wife Rosalie are active philanthropists, having donated money, time and public support to both local and global causes for decades. At our managed properties and corporate offices, employees have demonstrated the Golden Rule through years of philanthropic and environmental partnerships benefitting their local communities.
We partner with other sustainability leaders within and outside of our industry to collectively drive positive change. We do this by striving for high standards of sustainability in our own operations and by collaborating through industry groups and across our supply chain. We partner with a number of social enterprises and non-profits such as World Central Kitchen and World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and participate in the following industry organizations:
We are an active member of AHLA’s Sustainability Committee and its Safety and Security Committee. Through this work, we support the Association’s Responsible Stay initiative, which focuses on energy and water conservation as well as waste reduction and responsible sourcing. We have also joined AHLA’s 5-Star Promise, a voluntary commitment to enhance policies, trainings and resources to combat human trafficking.
As a member of this charitable organization since 2012, our company has supported the development of industry guidelines and resources aimed at supporting action on key issues, including:
- The Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality 2.0
- The Hotel Waste Measurement Methodology
- The Hotel Net Zero Methodology
We have also incorporated the Alliance’s Principles on Forced Labour into our Human Rights Policy.
Since 2021, we have been part of this invitation-only membership group for Fortune 500 and Global 500 companies that demonstrate a serious commitment to sustainability as a foundation of business strategy and a driver of innovation.
Since 2023, we have been a member of this not-for-profit industry council, which manages global standards for sustainable travel and tourism, acting as the international accreditation body for sustainable tourism certification.
In addition to our many other collaborative efforts with conservation groups, scientific experts and community organizations, Four Seasons is proud to join other leading global businesses in contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The SDGs, adopted by the United Nations in 2015, are a collection of 17 global goals aimed at improving the planet and the quality of human life around the world by the year 2030.
We recognize that our managed properties and operations have the potential to intersect with all 17 SDGs – and in keeping with our values and purpose, we’re committed to exploring opportunities to pursue an even wider range of positive contributions in the years ahead. At present, we’re working to make the greatest impact we can by focusing our efforts on the following six global goals:
SDG target 3.4 – By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
How we contribute:
Advancing cancer research is a long-standing Four Seasons philanthropic focus, rooted in the commitment of Four Seasons Founder and Chairman Isadore Sharp and his wife Rosalie, who lost their son Christopher to cancer in 1978.
In addition to supporting the Terry Fox Foundation directly, Four Seasons supports local hotel and resort teams around the world as they contribute to cancer research initiatives close to home.
SDG target 5.1 – End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
SDG target 5.2 – Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
SDG target 5.5 – Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.How we contribute:
Our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) and human rights efforts connect strongly to SDG 5. We are committed to advancing diversity and fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging worldwide and to responsible workplace practices at every hotel, resort, residence and office we operate and across our supply chain.
SDG target 8.7 – Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.
SDG target 8.8 – Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.
SDG target 8.9 – By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
How we contribute:
The opportunities for economic development and growth our properties provide, our approach to sourcing and procurement, and our work on human rights connect strongly to SDG 8.
SDG target 12.3 – By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
SDG target 12.5 – By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
How we contribute:
Our waste reduction commitments address these SDG targets, including our commitment to cut our food waste in half by 2030.
SDG target 14.1 – By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
How we contribute:
We address SDG 14 through the growing adoption of sustainable design and construction practices, single-use plastics elimination efforts, waste management strategies and low-impact landscaping approaches.
How we contribute:
Our ESG strategy and efforts around biodiversity preservation and responsible sourcing connect strongly to SDG 15.
Learn MorePLANET (ENVIRONMENT)
As stewards of the ecosystems in which we operate, Four Seasons recognizes our critical role in preserving the planet for future generations.
Learn MorePEOPLE (SOCIAL)
Our aspiration is to build a better future for our people and the communities around us. From enabling our diverse teams to reach their full potential, to giving back with genuine heart – together we are focused on creating a positive and lasting impact.
Learn MoreGOVERNANCE
Our ESG programs are underpinned by a robust governance structure designed to ensure our program’s integration and alignment with the overall corporate strategy and operational needs.
Learn MoreReports and downloads
We aim to provide transparent and credible communications of our ESG efforts, and we release an annual report to share a detailed look at our progress. Download the latest report to learn more.