This report provides a transparent overview of our sustainability performance in 2025, in line with the Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standards for SMEs (VSME), developed by EFRAG. It was prepared in collaboration with The Ecological Entrepreneur.
The VSME standard is a European reporting framework for non-listed SMEs. It allows us to report on environmental, social and governance performance in a structured way — without the heavy administrative burden of larger ESG frameworks.
Our sustainability approach builds on our Green Key label (valid until end of 2026) and is structured around three core themes:
Renewable electricity and continuous improvement of the building's energy performance.
Encouraging low-carbon travel for guests and staff, with attention to transport throughout the chain.
Working with local partners and contributing to the vibrant Ghent neighbourhood.
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Revenue 2025 | € 2,293,040.56 |
| Total assets 2025 | € 2,623,398.97 |
| Rooms sold 2025 | 15,785 |
| Full-time equivalents (FTE) | 14 |
| NACE sector code | I55.1.0 — Hotels |
Since 2025 we run entirely on green electricity. That year we consumed 244.33 MWh, or an average of 15.54 kWh per overnight stay. The increase compared to 2024 is linked to the higher number of overnight stays in 2025 and the temporary closure of several floors during the 2024 renovation.
| Year | Energy use (MWh) | Per overnight stay (kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 163.34 | 13.66 |
| 2025 | 244.33 | 15.54 |
Was 0.16 tCO₂e in 2024. From 2025 onward, fully reduced to zero.
100% renewable electricity (market-based method).
Guest transport and purchased goods are the heaviest categories (2024 figure).
An overnight stay at Hotel Chamade resulted in an average of 4 kg CO₂ in 2024, compared to a sector average of around 12.2 kg.
Source: UK Government GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting, 2025
We installed water-saving taps with aerators in our staff areas, kitchen, public toilets and 15 of our 51 guest rooms. As a result, the average consumption per overnight stay dropped from around 200 litres (2023–2024) to 187.9 litres in 2025 (−6%).
| Year | Total (m³) | Per overnight stay (L) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2,718 | 200.29 |
| 2024 | 2,398 | 200.60 |
| 2025 | 2,966 | 187.90 |
We plan a phased rollout of this measure to all bathrooms.
Together with our waste partner RENEWI, we sort our waste into five streams. Glass, paper and organic waste reach recycling rates of (almost) 100%, while plastic and mixed waste still need improvement.
| Waste stream | Generated (kg) | Recycled |
|---|---|---|
| Glass | 1,640 | 100% |
| Paper and cardboard | 2,320 | 99% |
| Organic kitchen waste | 3,710 | 96% |
| Plastic | 1,740 | 57% |
| Mixed municipal waste | 5,280 | 15% |
In addition to the 2 owners, the team consists of 13 permanent staff, supplemented during peak times by day contracts. 100% of our staff is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and earns at least the legal minimum wage.
In 2025 we welcomed 15,785 overnight stays. We actively work on a sustainable shift in our guests' travel behaviour through targeted communication and the promotion of slow travel.
We screen our suppliers and apply ecological criteria to every new purchase: recyclability, repairability, ecological origin and proximity. We also encourage suppliers to organise deliveries more sustainably and aim to reduce delivery frequency by expanding our storage capacity.
For us, sustainability is not a separate project but a way of doing business. It lives in the choices we make every day, big and small. This report is the next step in a process of continuous adjustment and improvement.
This report was prepared by The Ecological Entrepreneur. Questions: info@chamade.be or +32 9 220 15 15.