Green Key’s new criteria/explanatory notes are valid for the period 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2025.
Green Key certified Miskin Manor in Wales
As announced in May 2021, a new set of international criteria and explanatory notes for each of the six categories in Green Key: hotels & hostels, campsites & holiday parks, small accommodations, conference centres, restaurants and attractions (museums, visitor and interpretation centres and theme parks) take effect from 2022.
The new Green Key standards for the accommodation categories (hotels, hostels, campsites, holiday parks and small accommodations) are recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, GSTC.
Some Green Key national programmes (Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Jordan, Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Sweden, Trinidad & Tobago, and Turkey) have decided to strengthen the national Green Key criteria/explanatory notes compared with the international version. All other national programmes have decided to use the international version directly. You can find more information about the national standards by contacting the relevant Green Key National Operator.
In the new 2022-2025 standards there are various changes compared with the 2016-2021 standards: some criteria are added, some criteria are changed/modified, some criteria have changed status from guideline to imperative, and some criteria have been left out or incorporated into other criteria.
In general, the new criteria have an increased focus on resources/carbon monitoring and reduction, the protection of the biodiversity, the reduction of environmental pollution, and the information and engagement of staff, guests, suppliers as well as the connection with the surrounding community. The full comparison between the new standards for all categories and the previous standard for hotels can be downloaded here.
For establishments already participating in the Green Key programme, the compliance with the new requirements will come into effect in connection with the renewal of the certification.
If you have any questions regarding the new Green Key standards, please do not hesitate to contact us at Green Key International or your Green Key National Operator.