In September 2015, the United Nations approved the Sustainable Development Goals to frame the global development agenda for the coming 15 years. Green Key has just agreed on new criteria that will contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

When approving the Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nations nominated 2015 as a landmark year for sustainability. The new agenda is transformative, people-centred and with bold and ambitious targets. 17 goals and 169 targets are set to frame the global development agenda for the coming 15 years. The economic, social and environmental dimensions of the goals seek to address poverty, hunger, disease, fear and violence, education, healthcare, social protection, sanitation, safety, sustainable habitats and energy.

Green Key has just agreed on new criteria for its six categories that will be in force from 1 July 2016. Through the new criteria, Green Key has the potential to contribute directly or indirectly to the achievement of all the 17 goals. Goal 4 – Quality Education, relates to Green Key’s criteria on information, education and training of staff, guests and suppliers. Goal 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, and Goal 13 – Climate Action, relate to the reduction of carbon emissions and lowering environmental footprint through a high level of environmental management of especially water, energy and waste, and are also central requirements in the Green Key programme.

The new Green Key criteria also focus on CSR related issues, such as job creation, local community engagement, equal opportunities for all (including vulnerable groups) etc. and many of these issues are included in the Sustainable Development Goals.

The full document describing Green Key’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals can be downloaded here.