A new National Operator in Malta after the Malta Tourism Authority’s endorsement for the Green Key programme

The Green Key programme has regained a National Operator for hotels in Malta and Gozo, following the Malta Tourism Authority’s recent endorsement of Green Key as one of the schemes that will replace the current eco-certification scheme for hotels.   

Nature Trust – FEE Malta officially reclaimed the role of coordinating the Green Key certifications on a national level on the 12th of March 2024. The event was attended by many special guests, including Mr Carlo Micallef, the CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority, who opened the ceremony. Three presentations were given by Ms Fatima Viera, the Green Key National Operator from Portugal, Mr Pedro Teixeira from the Green Key certified Neya Hotels chain in Portugal, and Mr Vincent Attard, the Executive President of Nature Trust – FEE Malta and the new National Operator for Malta for Green Key. 

The event also included a workshop session on the Green Key criteria and the compliance obligations facilitated by Adi Associates Environmental Consultants Ltd, who have been appointed as the national auditors for Green Key in Malta.    

Commenting on the recent collaboration with Green Key, Mr Vincent Attard said:

“We are delighted once again to represent Green Key in Malta. As FEE representatives locally for over 22 years, we felt it was only natural for us to take on this additional programme to further strengthen environmental performance and education in the Maltese Islands. We feel that Green Key is a truly holistic international eco-certificate as it does not just promote environmental improvements but also addresses social and cultural aspects too.  Another important aspect for us is its environmental education side”.  

Adi Associates will be responsible for conducting the annual audits and assigning the Green Key certificate to compliant hotels. Mr Adrian Mallia, Managing Director at Adi Associates, described the opportunity as “a challenging one, yet one we are prepared for. Having audited hotels under the national eco-certification scheme for over 15 years and being an ISO14001 certified company with qualified environmental auditors, Adi Associates has the relevant experience and expertise to work with Green Key to ensure a transparent and veracious certification process for as many Maltese establishments as possible. “

More information on Green Key can be obtained from the Green Key website: https://www.greenkey.global/.  Information on the Green Key certification programme in Malta can be obtained from the Green Key Malta website: Green Key Malta, or by contacting Nature Trust Malta - FEE:  info@naturetrustmalta.org  

Argentina starts the implementation of the Green Key programme on a national level

FEE Argentina, the Argentinian member of the international Foundation for Environmental Education, has announced the commencement of the Green Key eco-certification programme for the hospitality and tourism industry, with first hotels ready to start the application process.  

Thanks to its incredible nature and rich cultural heritage, Argentina is already a renowned and widely appreciated tourist destination in South America. An opportunity to encourage the sustainable transformation of the industry is an important milestone for FEE Argentina.  

The Green Key programme will help to raise awareness of responsible and conscious tourism and hospitality among both business operators and visitors, so future generations can also enjoy the beauty of the country. Respectful use of natural resources will be promoted, as well as the appreciation for local products and reduction of waste, water usage, and carbon footprint. The Green Key programme not only validates the sustainability standards of tourism establishments but also offers support and knowledge essential to fully comprehend and adopt good practices. Six hotels from the NH chain have already expressed their readiness to start the certification procedure.  

Green Key will be operated by FEE Argentina along with the other programmes that are already present in the country: Blue Flag for the sustainability of beaches and seaside resorts, and Eco Schools and Young Reporters for the Environment, both aimed at raising environmental awareness within the education sector. 

"We believe this is an important beginning to help the whole tourism sector with not only hotels but also restaurants, small accommodations, holiday parks, conference centers, and camping sites being more sustainable and amicable with nature" said Francesca Abeltino, Director of FEE Argentina. 

Finn Bolding Thomsen, the International Director of Green Key, said: “We are excited that FEE Argentina has decided to take this step and become a National Operator for the Green Key programme. It will certainly open the door for many new certifications in the country, thereby promoting environmental and social responsibility and sustainable business operations.” 

Multifunctional and sustainable spaces of Urban Hive Milano obtain the Green Key certification

The Urban Hive Milan hotel has joined the network of certified Green Key establishments. The 4-star hotel, located in one of the most lively, elegant, and historic areas of Milan, is delighted to showcase its dedication to environmental and social responsibility with the newly obtained certificate.  

Custom-designed, the hotel emerged as a result of the redevelopment of the historic Carlyle Brera Hotel. The spaces connect through movable walls and modular components, transforming themselves into multifunctional areas. In its 97 rooms and suites distributed over 7 floors, Urban Hive Milano lays the emphasis on colours and modern lines that capture the personality of the hotel and represent both the historical and modern sides of the city. 

With its experiental family areas, coworking spaces, fitness centre, and restaurants, Urban Hive Milano offers distinctive experiences tailored to various types of guests: from families, and business travellers to leisure tourists. Urban Hive Milano's Food & Beverage reinterprets traditional Milanese dishes and re-designs them with a contemporary twist. The in-house Bistro Portico 84 welcomes not only hotel guests but also locals.  

Sustainability is considered a core of all everyday hotel operations and a priority for the management. The staff is actively and consciously involved in the facility's green initiatives: regular meetings are scheduled to plan sustainable activities, a monthly newsletter, news, and scrolling reminders on the screens located in the canteen. The information is also displayed for guests: 

At check-in, to immediately communicate the hotel’s approach towards sustainability.  

On the key ring, a Green QR Code gives access to Urban Hive Milano’s sustainability policies - both in Italian and English - and to a series of useful information on the nearest parks, public transport, and bike sharing, thus encouraging mobility on foot or by bike. Another page also informs about the local suppliers with which the structure collaborates. The keys themselves are made from recycled plastic. 

There are also some questions on the satisfaction questionnaire for guests, which can suggest how the hotel keeps on improving its green initiatives.  

The hotel is actively working on waste reduction, carefully evaluating purchases and recycling. Various collaborations to promote the local economy and the reduction of food waste have been developed, as well as activities related to environmental protection: the hotel staff participated in activities promoted by WAU! Milan for plogging and cleaning services for green spaces in the city, and collaborated with UP2YOU for camera tagging and CO2 compensation. 

Urban Hive Milan, therefore, combines the high standards of the tourist offer with the excellence of sustainable management, meeting the needs of even the most demanding and environmentally conscious guests. 

The Hotel Indigo Rome - St. George certified with Green Key: the 5-star luxury boutique hotel oriented towards solidarity and sustainability

The sustainable efforts of the Hotel Indigo Rome – St. George have been acknowledged with the Green Key certification. Indigo Rome - St. George had already complied with the IHG Hotels&Resorts brand criteria for sustainable management and had achieved the internal Green Engage system certification. However, upon the completion of third-party verification and receival of the globally recognised Green Key certificate, the hotel can now showcase its commitment to sustainability standards to a wider audience of stakeholders.  

Rome can be seen as the quintessence of European cultural heritage, and Hotel Indigo Rome - St. George is located in the heart of the historic centre of the Eternal City. Positioned on the enchanting Via Giulia, the 5-star luxury boutique hotel is only a few steps from Piazza Navona, Campo de Fiori, Castel Sant'Angelo, and the Vatican Museums. 

The hotel incorporates multiple green initiatives in its everyday operations. It is ensured that the staff is always properly trained and aware of all good practices that need to be followed in the routine activities.   

The Hotel Indigo Rome – St. George on Via Giulia pays particular attention to reducing environmental impact, implementing ecological initiatives in waste management and recycling, and supporting communities and local producers. Embracing its social responsibility, the hotel collaborates with local associations, such as the KIM Association, a charity that supports foreign minors with illnesses, who live in conditions of economic and social hardship, without adequate health facilities. The hotel organises raffles and other fundraising events to support the charity with the proceeds. 

What is more, in all rooms there is information on the eco-friendly approach to washing sheets and towels that the hotel has adopted. Details on the hotel’s accessibility and other sustainable initiatives are also communicated to the guests, through the TVs in the rooms, the hotel website, and paper maps made with waste paper.  

The Hotel Indigo Rome – St. George might be considered a small jewel in the heart of Rome. The building is kept in a 16th-century Renaissance style, while each of the 62 rooms has a unique character, thanks to the decorations referring to Italy’s long cultural heritage. I Sofà Bar Restaurant with renowned chefs, is also open to guests outside the hotel for breakfast, aperitifs, and dinner. 

Nowadays, tourists seek socially and environmentally responsible excellence. At the Hotel Indigo Rome - St. George, luxury and elegance meet sustainable management.  

Hilton Rome Airport becomes Green Key certified: sustainability at the service of travelers all over the world

The Hilton Rome Airport, directly connected to the Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport in Fiumicino, celebrates a new success: obtaining the Green Key certification.  

Opened in 1999, it was the pioneer of airport hotels in Italy, earning the title of "the only hotel with its own airport". However, not only its convenient connection to the terminals via a covered pedestrian bridge and a moving walkway makes the hotel stand out. Also, its wide range of services and proximity to the main monuments of the capital is what makes it a convenient choice for all visitors to Rome.  

The Green Key certificate marks the continuous sustainability efforts of Hilton Rome Airport. Starting from the installation of heat recuperators connected to the heating system, and solar panels in the parking lots, multiple eco-friendly practices have been implemented. The hotel actively seeks to reduce its waste by gradually replacing plastic with glass in the hotel facilities, favouring recyclable materials during events and banquets, recycling disposed soap, and adopting consumption LED lamps.  

In line with the Hilton chain's "Travel with Purpose" campaign and ESG strategy, Hilton Rome Airport is actively engaged in environmental protection and the promotion of local consumption. The hotel has embraced multiple volunteering actions, such as donating basic necessities and other supplies to the ones in need or raising funds for care houses. The hotel's commitment also extends to beach cleaning activities by staff, and participation in awareness-raising events, e.g. the Run4Rome and Race for the Cure marathons, with significant donations to charitable organisations (including Operation Smile Italia). By joining the Hilton "Carbon Neutral" program for zero-emission events, Hilton Rome Airport takes another step towards the reduction of its carbon emissions. 

In each room, guests can also find multilingual information on the hotel's sustainability program for washing sheets and towels, while digital materials via QR codes provide information on bicycle use in Rome and less-known tourist activities. The hotel also puts an emphasis on using zero-kilometer culinary products, supporting local producers, in the menu offered by Artists Bar and Le Colonne Restaurant, two gastronomic points appreciated not only by hotel guests but also by the locals. 

Hilton Rome Airport aims to create unique experiences for all its guests. The Green Key certification confirms the thoroughness of sustainability and inclusion policies that the hotel implements, adding a new dimension to its high standing.   

The Papadopoli Hotel in Venice receives the Green Key certificate

Surrounded by the greenery of the Papadopoli park, and within walking distance from the Grand Canal and the Constitution Bridge, Hotel Papadopoli has been certified with Green Key. The Venetian Lagoon has expanded its accommodation offer with an elegant and sustainable boutique hotel, catering to all visitors who care about their environmental impact.  

The Papadopoli Hotel has 100 rooms and suites furnished in a characteristic 18th-century Venetian style, with a wonderful view of the Tolentini Canal and the Papadopoli Gardens. Elegant and magnificent, all the rooms tell of the past and present Venetian grandeur and splendor. The building itself dates back to the beginning of the 19th century when it was a summer residence of Teresa Mosconi and the Papadopoli-Foreste palace and its garden became popular meeting points for high society.  

The hotel from the Accor group aims to combine rich history and tradition with sustainability operations and solutions. The Green Key sustainability criteria have been with that, setting standards and goals for waste management, reducing the overall use of resources, raising awareness, and creating behavioural change in guests, staff, and suppliers of different facilities.  

The Papadopoli Hotel ensures the involvement of its entire staff by raising awareness of good practices. The impact of sustainable innovations is also monitored as a part of routine activities management. All staff is updated daily on ongoing actions and heavily engaged in planning activities that are related to their areas of work. 

In all rooms, there is information on the green initiatives launched by the hotel. Particular attention is paid to reducing environmental impact, effective waste management and recycling, and offering support to the local producers. The lighting is 100% LED and access to the rooms is with a magnetic key. 

Positioned close to all the iconic places of the lagoon, the Hotel Papadopoli seeks to preserve the glory of its past and combine it with a smart, modern, and sustainable approach.  

Ilha dos Arvoredos becomes the first Green Key certified tourist attraction in the Americas

Located in the crystal-clear waters of Guarujá, on the north coast of São Paulo, Ilha dos Arvoredos successfully passed the independent audit becoming the first tourist attraction in the Americas to receive the Green Key certification. The Brazilian establishment incorporates environmentally responsible practices into its operations, providing a unique and awareness-raising experience for visitors.

Conceived and designed in 1950 by mechanical engineer and environmentalist Fernando Eduardo Lee, Ilha dos Arvoredos extends over 36 thousand m². The research centre works on and employs technologies focused on the preservation of natural resources. Since 2021, the place has been open for visitors offering a unique experience that combines leisure with education on history, science, and culture. Located in a paradisiacal setting, the island is an ecological refuge that redefines the relationship between comfort and environmental preservation.

Leana Bernardi, representing the National Operator of the Green Key programme in Brazil, expressed her excitement about this significant achievement: "Ilha dos Arvoredos is an inspiring example of how innovation and environmental commitment can converge to create a truly sustainable tourism experience. The Green Key certification recognizes not only the beauty of the site but also the exemplary commitment to eco-friendly practices that shape a greener future for tourism."

The environmental practices adopted by Ilha dos Arvoredos include efficient management of waste and the pioneering use of renewable energy sources. The island is one of the first places in Latin America that incorporate solar panels in their facilities. What is more, the establishment actively promotes environmental education activities for its visitors, contributing to collective sustainability awareness.

To achieve the best outcomes in its educational, scientific, and touristic activities, Ilha dos Arvoredos bases its management system on the Green Key criteria. Through the Sustainable World Project, a partnership between the Fernando Eduardo Lee Foundation (FFEL) and the Nova Maré Institute (INMAR), the island organises collaborative ecotourism experiences, introducing visitors to numerous sustainable practices.   

Priscilla Bonini Ribeiro, researcher, and advisor to the Eduardo Lee Foundation elaborated in her doctoral thesis the model of environmental education, underpinning the collaborative visitation program on the island. She commented on the Green Key certification of Ilha dos Arvoredos: "Obtaining the certificate is the materialisation of the desire to present the island as a great environmental reference. We feel extremely honored. It is a source of pride not only for us, researchers, but for all collaborators, partners and, above all, a prestige and reference for the community, so that they recognize and contribute to the actions of preserving our planet for future generations".

Bruno Tacon Cardoso, environmental engineer, and president of the Nova Maré Institute (INMAR) was the person who suggested and enabled the Green Key certification process: "The title of the first sustainable tourist attraction in the Southern Hemisphere and the Americas with the Green Key validates the legacy that Fernando Lee left us. Brazil has been a protagonist in sustainability in the past, and we resume this vision and place Ilha dos Arvoredos as a great symbol of a sustainable future. We have proved that this is feasible, and now we hope to inspire other green spots on the world map of sustainable tourism."

About the Fernando Lee Foundation

Created in 1983 by Fernando Eduardo Lee (considered by many to be the father of Sustainability in Brazil), the Foundation is the holder of the Island concession and was designed to continue the projects in this open-air laboratory for the benefit of Humanity. Over the decades, the Foundation has carried out several studies and projects to promote and disseminate knowledge through the scientific and environmental nature of Ilha dos Arvoredos. Currently, in partnership with UNAERP and INMAR, the dream of Fernando Eduardo Lee is being pursued. By implementing the Sustainable World project, the public can interact with this legacy. The Sustainable World project is based on the doctoral thesis of the Foundation/Unaerp volunteer researcher, Profa. Dr. Priscilla Bonini Ribeiro, who created a model of Environmental Education that the island uses to boost the teaching-learning process, stimulating protagonism and environmental awareness.

To learn more about the research and projects of Ilha dos Arvoredos, visit www.ilhadosarvoredos.com.br or learn more about the attractions on Instagram @ilhadosarvoredosoficial. For collaborative visit scheduling, please refer to the http://tursustentavel.org.br portal.