Assessment of Environmental Management Systems in Hotels in Calabar, Cross River State, South South Nigeria

This study assesses the adoption and effectiveness of environmental management systems in hotels in Calabar, Cross River State, South South Nigeria. Environmental sustainability is an increasingly non-negotiable dimension of responsible hotel management globally, yet the degree to which Nigerian hotels have formalised their environmental governance varies considerably. A mixed-method research design is adopted with questionnaires administered to 20 hotel facility managers and environmental coordinators, complemented by site inspections across 18 hotels. Variables examined include energy management practices, water conservation measures, waste reduction systems, carbon footprint awareness, and compliance with national and state environmental regulations. Findings reveal that fewer than 25 percent of sampled hotels have formally adopted a recognised environmental management standard. Energy management is the most actively managed environmental dimension, driven primarily by cost reduction motivations rather than sustainability philosophy. Water conservation and waste reduction practices are significantly underdeveloped. The study finds a positive correlation between hotel size, international brand affiliation, and environmental management sophistication. It recommends that hotel operators in Calabar engage with the Green Hotel Initiative Nigeria framework, invest in renewable energy installations particularly solar systems, and develop community environmental education partnerships with local schools. State-level incentives for green-certified hotels are also proposed. Keywords: environmental management, hotel sustainability, green certification, Calabar, eco-friendly operations