This study examines the impact of the relatively new construct of green empowering leadership (GEL) on organisational citizenship behaviour towards the environment (OCBE) among employees in South Africa’s hospitality sector, with a particular focus on the mediating role of green learning orientation (GLO). The aim of the study is to explore how GEL can foster a culture of environmental responsibility and enhance pro-environmental behaviours among employees. By integrating environmental sustainability principles into leadership, GEL aims to empower employees to engage in voluntary pro-environmental behaviours. By integrating environmental sustainability principles into leadership, GEL aims to empower employees to engage in voluntary pro-environmental behaviours. The novelty of this study lies in its exploration of GEL within the hospitality context, contributing to the growing body of literature on green leadership and offering practical insights for fostering sustainability in the industry. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from middle-level managers in hospitality firms and analysed with SmartPLS to evaluate the proposed relationships. The results demonstrate a significant positive relationship between GEL and OCBE, with GLO playing a partial mediating role. These findings underscore the importance of leadership that promotes sustainability and the role of organisational learning in enhancing environmentally responsible behaviours. The study contributes to the growing body of literature on green leadership and offers practical insights for fostering sustainability in the hospitality industry.