In 2013, Marriott International publicly committed to going 100% cage-free by 2015. After failing to meet that deadline, the company quietly abandoned the goal. It wasn't until years later—under pressure from 59 animal protection organizations—that Marriott finally set a new target: 100% cage-free eggs globally by 2025.
Since then, Marriott has continued to benefit reputationally from this promise—positioning itself as a leader in animal welfare—while taking little visible action to fulfill it. With the 2025 deadline now here, the company still has no public, time-bound plan to meet its commitment.
That failure reflects directly on David Marriott, Chairman of the Board at Marriott International—and a sitting trustee of the National Geographic Society. While Marriott stalls, David Marriott retains a seat on one of the world's most respected scientific and conservation institutions. By keeping him in this position, the National Geographic Society risks associating itself with a company that has repeatedly broken its word on animal welfare.
Battery cages are so cruel they've been banned in many states and countries. Yet Marriott continues to source eggs from these filthy, inhumane systems while reaping PR benefits from a cage-free pledge it appears unwilling to keep.
This is a defining moment for National Geographic. Sign the petition calling on CEO Jill Tiefenthaler to take a stand: David Marriott should not remain on the board while his company refuses to act.
Subject: Hold David Marriott Accountable
Ms. Tiefenthaler,
In 2013, Marriott International publicly committed to sourcing 100% cage-free eggs by 2015. After failing to meet that deadline, the company quietly abandoned the goal. It wasn't until years later—under pressure from 59 animal protection organizations—that Marriott set a new target: 100% cage-free eggs globally by 2025.
Now that the 2025 deadline is here, Marriott still has no public, time-bound plan to meet its commitment. The company continues to source eggs from battery cages—confinement systems so cruel they've been banned in many countries and U.S. states.
David Marriott, as Chairman of Marriott International and a trustee of the National Geographic Society, is directly tied to this failure. While his company ignores a high-profile animal welfare pledge, he retains a leadership role at one of the world's most respected conservation institutions.
This reflects poorly on the National Geographic Society. By keeping David Marriott on your board, you risk associating the organization with a corporation that has broken its word and failed to act.
I urge you to take a clear position: publicly call on Marriott International to immediately release a credible, time-bound plan for fulfilling its 2025 cage-free commitment—or remove David Marriott from the board.
The public deserves transparency. National Geographic must not be used to shield corporate cruelty.
Sincerely,
[Name]
