Centre for Environment Education (CEE) launches the National Management of Green Key in India

The Foundation for Environmental Education’s (FEE) member organisation in India, the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), is launching the national management of Green Key in the country.

© YRE Student from India, 1st Place Winner, Litter Less Category in 2020, YRE International Competition

After the successful implementation of the FEE programme, the Blue Flag certificate for beaches, marinas and sustainable tourism boats, CEE is now launching the Green Key programme in the country. With this important step, CEE is supporting and recognising responsible hospitality practices and contributing to a more sustainable tourism industry in India.

India, known for its vibrant culture, diverse landscapes, and warm hospitality, has long been a sought-after destination for travelers from around the globe. As the tourism industry continues to grow, there is an increasing need to ensure that this growth is sustainable and environmentally responsible. The national implementation of Green Key in India holds several advantages for both the tourism establishments in the country but also the tourism sector in general.

Due to the increased proximity of the National Operator to the tourism establishments in India, Green Key can ensure to meet the specific needs and requirements of the market. CEE’s focus on raising awareness, and educating about the environment and sustainable development, paired with the understanding for the Indian culture and country-specific conditions is another benefit of the national implementation of the programme. Therefore, Green Key ensures that sustainability practices are not only effective but also culturally relevant.

With the growing awareness of environmental issues and a rising preference for sustainable travel experiences, tourists are seeking accommodation options that align with their values. The Green Key programme addresses this demand by providing a reliable and credible certification that assures tourists of a tourism establishment’s commitment to sustainable practices.

Kartikeya V. Sarabhai, Director of the Centre for Environment Education, emphasizes the deep-rooted Indian tradition of honoring guests by stating,

"'Atithi devo bhava' - the guest is highly honored in the Indian tradition. We hope to continue and enrich this tradition by supporting and recognizing responsible hospitality and a caring environment with the Green Key program."

Dr. Jagat Mangaraj, National Operator of Green Key India, explains

"Green Key will add an environmental value to hotels and hospitality services in India, keeping in mind the local context. With Green Key, hotel staff and tourists have the opportunity to make positive contributions to sustainability."

Finn Bolding Thomsen, Green Key International Director, adds:

“We are happy to have CEE as our new National Operator in India to develop our programme in the country, and we encourage any hotel or other tourism facilities eligible for Green Key in India to apply or contact our National Operator in Inda for more information about the programme.”

The launch of Green Key in India through the new National Operator marks an important milestone in promoting sustainable tourism practices within the country. As the Indian tourism sector continues to grow, the Green Key certification will play a vital role in contributing to India's commitment to preserving its rich cultural heritage while embracing sustainable development.

About CEE

CEE is a national institution engaged in developing programmes and materials to increase awareness, action about the environment and sustainable development. CEE was established in 1984 as a centre of excellence in environment education, then supported by the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF) in India.

Please contact our National Operator in India through this link.

Foundation for Environmental Education Partners with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance to Promote Sustainable Business Practices in Hospitality

A partnership designed to empower people to create an environmentally conscious world, has been announced by the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).  As a strategic delivery partner FEE’s expertise will help the Alliance continue its development of the Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality.

Activity will see FEE support the Alliance specifically focusing on the social and environmental aspects of education and training. This agreement positions FEE as an external expert for the Alliance, bringing insight and knowledge which will enhance collective impact. 

Established in 1981, FEE is one of the world's largest environmental education organisations, with over 100 member organisations in 81 countries with programmes which help to protect our world’s natural resources.

This partnership combines the Alliance’s sector-specific expertise and reach, representing over 50,000 properties and 7 million rooms globally, with FEE’s education and training delivery know-how.

Activity will see both parties collaborate on potential joint fundraising campaigns for the hospitality industry, with FEE endorsing and incorporating specific Alliance tools and resources that are relevant to its efforts and programmes.

Sustainable Hospitality Alliance CEO, Glenn Mandziuk, said:

“We are excited to welcome FEE as a strategic delivery partner and look forward to working with them to promote sustainable business practice in the hospitality industry.  FEE’s expertise in environmental education will undoubtedly support the Alliance in its delivery of the Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality.”

Foundation for Environmental Education CEO, Daniel Schaffer, said:

“We are very pleased to be entering a strategic partnership with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. This partnership builds upon our existing cooperation which promoted the use of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance’s carbon and water calculation tools in the Green Key programme. We look forward to exploring further collaborations that engage FEE’s school-based programmes and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance’s work supporting vulnerable youth by ensuring short-term employment in the hospitality sector.”

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About the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance brings together the hospitality industry and strategic partners to address key challenges affecting the planet and its people, local destinations and communities. They develop practical free resources and programmes to create a prosperous and responsible hospitality sector that gives back more than it takes. Their members represent over 50,000 hotels – totalling 7 million rooms – and include world-leading companies including Choice Hotels International, Marriott International, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, BWH Hotel Group and Radisson Hotel Group, as well as regional brands. Their network also includes other parts of the hospitality value chain, including owners, investors and suppliers, to further drive joined up action on sustainability, and accelerate the industry on the path to net positive hospitality. For more information, please visit: www.sustainablehospitalityalliance.org

About Foundation for Environmental Education

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is one of the world’s largest Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) organisations, with over 100 member organisations in 80 countries. With a network of over 60,000 educational institutions, the Eco-Schools, Learning About Forests and Young Reporters for the Environment programmes empower young people to create an environmentally conscious world through experiential, project-based learning. The Green Key and Blue Flag programmes are globally recognized for promoting sustainable business practices and the protection of natural resources. With over 40 years of impactful experience in ESD, FEE’s strategic plan, GAIA 20:30, prioritises impactful action across all five programmes to address the threats of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution.

Empowering Caribbean Tourism: New Partnership with focus on the engagement in Sustainable Certification Programmes in the Caribbean

The University of the West Indies (UWI), the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), and Green Trinidad and Tobago (Green T&T) have joined forces to assess the extent to which the region’s tourism industry is participating in globally recognized sustainability-oriented certification programmes.  

Increasingly, programmes like FEE’s Green Key programme have become valuable vehicles for assisting companies in improving efficiencies, reducing their carbon footprint, and broadening their market appeal.  

The new partnership will look at the use of sustainability certification programmes by Caribbean tourism-related companies and identify potential strategies to increase industry participation.  

The organisations announced the partnership and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the recent Caribbean Travel Marketplace event in Barbados, the region’s largest B2B event held annually by CHTA. The MOU supports the organisations’ research, advocacy, training, and public awareness collaboration.  

Commenting at the launch, UWI’s Dr. Acolla Lewis-Cameron, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, St. Augustine Campus stated:  

“We are pleased to participate in this new partnership, a conglomeration of local, regional, and international organisations which have converged to push the boundaries of Caribbean tourism. By engaging industry, we are able to produce data to help us offer solutions to pressing issues associated with Caribbean tourism.” 

CHTA’s President Nicola Madden-Greig, who was joined by Kyle Mais, Chairman of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism, a CHTA-affiliated organisation, added:  

“We wish to thank our partners at UWI, FEE and Green T&T for advancing with us this important undertaking. We look forward to drawing upon the research project’s results to raise awareness, stimulate more direct actions by the industry, and advance policies and programs which raise the bar and move the region toward playing a more active and results-oriented role in protecting and enhancing our most treasured resources – our people and our environment.”  

FEE’s CEO Daniel Schaffer commented:  

“There is a clear expectation that hotels working within the system within sustainability will have an advantage within the marketplace. There is, however, still a need for more facts and figures about the positive effect of engaging in sustainability. The research that is part of our MOU will validate this and offer additional insights for improvements.  

 We look forward to working on the research undertaking and being part of the subsequent advocacy and public awareness about the outcome of this research in the region and worldwide.” 

Providing a destination perspective, Joanna Moses-Wothke, CEO for Green T&T, a FEE member organisation supporting training and credentialling initiatives locally and regionally, and who was joined by her colleague Tenisha Brown-Williams, added her support: 

 “This research project will provide critical insight into the impact of sustainability efforts. It will significantly help financially restricted small business owners to make informed decisions about marketing strategies, sustainable tourism, product development, and even customer service in a sustainable realm. The results will assist policymakers as facilitators of successful green, blue, and purple tourism development.” 

 The project’s research phase is under development, with outreach to the industry expected to occur this summer. 

Signatories display their support during the virtual signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). (Clockwise from upper left): Dr. Acolla Lewis-Cameron, University of the West Indies; Daniel Schaeffer, Foundation for Environmental Education; Kyle Mais, Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism and Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association; and Joanna Moses-Wothke from Green Trinidad and Tobago.

About the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) 

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is the Caribbean’s leading association representing the interests of national hotel and tourism associations. For more than 60 years, CHTA has been the backbone of the Caribbean hospitality industry. Working with some 1,000 hotel and allied members, and 33 National Hotel Associations, CHTA is shaping the Caribbean’s future and helping members to grow their businesses. Whether helping to navigate critical issues in sales and marketing, sustainability, legislative issues, emerging technologies, climate change, data and intelligence or, looking for avenues and ideas to better market and manage businesses, CHTA is helping members on issues which matter most. For further information, visit www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com.  

About The University of the West Indies 

Starting as a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, UWI has evolved into a modern, future-driven, activist, top-ranked academy with over 50,000 students. Its mission to advance learning, create knowledge and foster innovation for the positive transformation of the Caribbean is centered on producing critical thinkers and leaders who serve the needs of the 21st century society. 

About Green Trinidad and Tobago 

Green T&T is a nonprofit environmental civil society organization that implements sustainable tourism certification and educational initiatives. This includes the global Blue Flag and Green Key certification programmes. The organisation aims to increase environmental awareness and improve the environmental consciousness within the tourism and hospitality sector. 

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