Reduce your carbon footprint with the Global Forest Fund

Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) has revamped the Global Forest Fund with a new calculator and platform allowing travelers to calculate and compensate for their carbon emission.

After nearly a decade of compensating for FEE’s own emissions this upgraded cutting-edge platform is now open to the public and other organisations interested in compensating for CO2 emissions. 

The Global Forest Fund aims to actively protect the environment through education and active tree-planting. It is a unique scheme to help individuals reduce their carbon footprint while providing valuable resources and education to communities worldwide.

Since 2008, the Global Forest Fund has been investing in tree planting events and environmental education activities, with more than €80,000 invested in over 120 projects worldwide.

Trustworthy and transparent, the Global Forest Fund platform makes a real and lasting impact. 90% of the funds goes directly to the projects while the remaining 10% goes to the administration at FEE.

Visit the Global Forest Fund website to know more about how to reduce your carbon footprint: help the world breathe!

First Green Key awarded establishments in Colombia

Four NH hotels located in Colombia’s capital city, Bogota, have just been awarded the Green Key.

Green Key is proud to add NH Collection Bogota Royal Teleport, NH Collection Royal Andino, NH Collection Royal Hacienda and NH Collection Royal WTC to the list of Green Key awarded establishments. The four hotels confirmed their commitment to sustainable development by complying with Green Key criteria and implementing various initiatives and policies to save energy/water and reduce food waste while contributing to local communities.

Regarding energy and water savings, the establishments invite their guests to forego that sheets and towels are washed daily. The money saved thanks to this initiative is donated to the Amiguito Royal Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting nutrition and development for children. This Foundation also receives items that are no longer used by the hotels.

NH Collection Royal WTC Bogota

NH Collection Royal WTC Bogota

NH Collection Royal Teleport

NH Collection Royal Hacienda

In the restaurants of the hotels, organic, seasonal, local and fair trade products are highlighted on the menu as well as vegetarian and vegan dishes. Hotels are also active on avoiding food waste by collecting and composting the waste. They also encourage guests to carry away food and the hotels provide environmentally friendly carton containers for the purpose.

When the streets and avenues of Bogota are closed to encourage sport and use of alternative and sustainable means of transport, the hotels support these initiatives by informing the guests about public transports, sites of bicycle rental or agencies offering walk in nature. In this way, the staff also provides information about the city’s safe routes or bikes path to travel.

Green Key is delighted to see the growth in South America and more and more establishments worldwide committed to reducing the environmental impact while raising awareness amongst guests about sustainable initiatives.

Ramada by Wyndham Amsterdam Airport Schipol awarded Green Key for the first time

Thanks to this award, Ramada Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the first hotel of the German HR Group with Green Key certification in the Netherlands.

On the photo: GM Jan Nieuwenhuis (right), Facility Manager Thomasz Chjecki (middle) and Erik van Dijk (left).

Erik van Dijk, Green Key national operator in The Netherlands overhanded the Green Key certification.

We are very happy with this", says Jan Nieuwenhuis, GM of the hotel. "The policy of HR Group is to have all the hotels certified with Green Key. Our building is 27 years old, it was a challenge to meet the Green Key criteria.

The Responsible Facility Manager, Tomasz Chojecki, is proud that he and his Green Team reached this result. It was a big and successful challenge for this 27 years old building to comply with the Green Key criteria. The hotel staff is still working toward the improvement of the hotel’s eco-friendly technical facilities.

“Hard work with our team, special on the technical demands of Green Key" he explained at the small certification ceremony in the hotel lobby. "I want to thank all my colleagues for their work. We have still challenges on sustainability in future, with Green Key as our guide we know what to do.

Green Key International featured in the UNWTO Affiliate Members newsletter

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has recently released its November Affiliate Members newsletter, featuring Green Key International at the side of others tourism-related organisations.

The UNWTO, the United Nations agency charged with the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism, is the leading international organisation in the field of tourism. Its November newsletter highlights Green Key as one of the few international labels in the hospitality industry managed by one of the UNWTO affiliate members, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

The Green Key programme guides tourism establishments in doing their part in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN member states in 2015. Worldwide, our network engages in acts of awareness-raising about environmental management and sustainability education related to the SDGs. Moreover, Green Key is involved in UNWTO’s Affiliate Member working group on SDGs support on behalf of FEE.

This September, Green Key also signed the International Tourism Plastic Pledge at the sides of over 100 companies and organisations from the tourism sector to reduce plastic pollution at holiday destinations worldwide. The International Tourism Plastics Pledge is a reflection of the readiness and commitment of tourism stakeholders to take action in the fight against plastic pollution. The joint ambition of its signatories to come to a concrete roadmap with tangible goals and a monitoring system will be taking place within the framework of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme, led by UNWTO and UN Environment and in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

You can have access to the UNWTO Affiliate Member newsletter here.

A document describing Green Key’s overall contribution to all 17 Sustainable Development Goals can be downloaded here.

Green Key International welcomes its first national operator in Kenya

KOEE (the Kenyan Organisation for Environmental Education), the Kenyan member of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), has become the Green Key National Operator for Kenya.

Radisson Blu Hotel Nairobi Upper Hill, awarded with the Green Key since January 2016

From now on, Kenyan establishments wishing to join Green Key will need to contact and apply for the Programme through KOEE.

Finn Bolding Thomsen, Green Key International Director, says: "We believe that the administration of Green Key programme through a national entity is an advantage enabling a closer contact between the Green Key administration and existing/potential Green Key establishments and with a better understanding of national conditions, while maintaining the international quality of the programme.

Two hotels in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi already have the Green Key: Radisson Blu Hotel Nairobi Upper Hill and Park Inn by Radisson Nairobi Westlands. Until now, Green Key International (located at the head office of FEE) was administrating these establishments. They will now be transferred from Green Key International to KOEE.

Lorraine Dixon, Green Key National Operator in Kenya, adds: “We are excited to administer the Green Key programme in Kenya, and we will be looking forward to have many more establishments joining Green Key from all over Kenya. Any interested Kenyan establishment is welcome to contact us on the contact details below.

For more information about Green Key in Kenya, please contact:

Kenya Organisation for Environmental Education (KOEE)
P.O. Box 1513-00621 Nairobi
Green Key National Operator: Lorraine Dixon
Telephone: +254 780 231699 / +254 708 961796
E-mail: lorraine.dixon@koee.org / Lorraine_dixon@live.com
Web: http://greenkey.koee.org/

At Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort, a new smart electricity system saves energy

Green Key-awarded Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort in the Dominican Republic re-opened its doors one year ago after a thorough renovation, including the installation of the latest technologies.

Since air-conditioning and lighting are main sources of electricity consumption in the resort, LED has been installed all over the establishment as the source of lighting during the renovation. Moreover, a smart presence sensor system controls the lighting and the air-conditioning in the guest rooms shutting off all lights and returning to a pre-set comfort temperature of the air-conditioning system when finding the room empty. The sensors replace the key card and register presence when guests are entering the room. When registering presence, all lights that were on upon de client leaving the room turn back on automatically. The sensors also register when guests are opening the balcony door and the air-conditioning is turned off to avoid waste of energy and condensation. 

“With a location in a tropical area, the use of the computer controlled smart sensor systems and LED lighting have meant a reduction in the electricity consumption of the establishment contributing to a lower environmental footprint. The system is at the same time easing the work of the staff at the establishment without compromising the comfort of the guests. This is a true win-win situation for the establishment, our clients’ comfort and for the planet.” Cyntia de Cayón, Resident Director at Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort

One of Stockholm's most famous landmarks Green Key awarded

Green Key awarded STF af Chapman & Skeppsholmen hostel is located in Stockholm city, Sweden, on the small island of Skeppsholmen. You can stay in the Craftsmen’s building from 1832 or on ‘af Chapman’ – a fully rigged ship anchored to the island and one of the most famous landmarks in Stockholm. 

The hostel offers families, couples, backpackers and experienced travelers of all nationalities the opportunity to experience the hostels friendly atmosphere and unique accommodation. Many of the guests often return to enjoy the pleasant and scenic environment, but also to take advantage of the superb location close to Gamla Stan (the Old Town) and the Royal Palace. For excursions a little further away, the hostel sells tickets to public transportation and offer guests bikes to discover the city.

STF af Chapman & Skeppsholmen hostel was awarded with Green Key in 2018, and has rapidly become a forerunner in sustainability. The hostel has focused on increasing its social and environmental commitment by planting flowers that are beneficial for bees and other insects, and by supporting the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation’s project “Save the bees”. Through the Swedish Labour Office’s project "Make space", they have employed staff with special needs.

 The hostel offer a great deal of organic food for breakfast, such as organic coffee, milk and muesli, and buys on average a total of 40% organic food per year. The hostel is registering food waste from breakfast and takes actions to reduce it through visible information to guests as well as ideas on how to use ‘nudging’ on the buffet to decrease food waste. The establishment encourages and informs its guest about the excellent drinking quality of tap water in Sweden and does not sell any bottled water at all.

 Through a rewarding cooperation with the property owner, the hostel has managed to decrease the energy consumption significantly with 14% by, among other things, changing thermostats on all elements as well as switching to new windows with insulating glass.

Hotels in Slovenia gradually fulfill their commitment to sustainable development

With two new Green Key awarded establishments, the Hit Group continues to spread eco-friendly practices in the Slovenian tourism industry and the Goriška Region

This October, the Lipa and Sabotin Hotels received the Green Key award for their work done with sustainability. Both located in the green countryside of the sunny Goriška Region, these two establishments part of the Hit Group offer a myriad possibility for active relaxation or services adapted to the needs of sportsmen.

Recognised as “cyclist-friendly hotels” the Lipa and Sabotin Hotels promote sightseeing by bike in order to encourage their guests to think about responsible tourism. The hotels’ staff is dedicated to the preservation of the environment and inform the guests about the sustainable alternatives provided by their establishments.

Ecological, green, and local represent the key to ensuring top quality services for future tourists, we are sure of that. All our employees actively help develop and promote the sustainable nature of our hotels. The Green Key label opens up new opportunities for the marketing of our hotels.” say the Manager of the Lipa Hotel, Leon Mavrič, and the Manager of the Sabotin Hotel, Jana Jakin Petejan.

The recipients of the Green Key environmental label undertake to meet strict environmental standards and commit intensively to raising awareness of environmental and sustainability issues among guests, employees, and suppliers” said Boris Šušmak, representative of the Doves FEE Slovenia association upon handing over the certificates.

The establishments started activities to reduce their environmental impact such as strict separation of waste or the use of ecologic materials rather than plastic. Their commitment to sustainability also merged in gastronomy since they offer local and seasonal dishes and local wine thanks to their strong cooperation with local producers.

Green Key keeps reaching new countries: welcome Suriname!

Green Key is delighted to announce that The Torarica Group is the first company with Green Key awarded establishments in Suriname and South America.

The largest hotel brand in Suriname now counts three Green Key awarded hotel properties. In that way, the Torarica Group provides unprecedented sustainable hospitality and guest experience in its 357 guestrooms. Located in the city of Paramaribo, Torarica Resort & Casino, Eco Torarica and Royal Torarica are offering a breathtaking view of the Suriname River.

The three awarded establishments stretch their imagination regarding sustainable initiatives implemented on the properties. Indeed, they are using eco-friendly takeaway packaging (Styrofoam free) and serving biodegradable eco-friendly straws upon guest request only. The plastic issue is taken very seriously with collection bins placed on all properties to be recycled.

We cannot imagine a world without Green! All steps matter! Go Green! Go Green Key! Caring for our environment is a structural part of our business objectives.” says the Torarica Group’s General Manager, Dave Boucke

Their commitment to sustainability can also be found in the kitchen. The establishments manage to avoid food waste by giving leftovers such as potatoes, vegetables, food and bread waste to the Paramaribo Zoo on a daily basis. Moreover, they are recycling cooking oil to ensure a clean and safe environment by not deposing it into the water or the environment.

They are not outdone neither regarding eco-friendly energy consumption. Initiatives such as the reuse of printed paper, the recycling of used printer cartridges or a paperless guest experience survey involve both guests and staff into the process. LED lighting and water sensors have also been installed around the properties to reduce energy and water consumption. In the guestrooms, an energy saving card activates lights and air conditioning in order not to overconsume energy, and the patio furniture is made from recycled material.

Furthermore, the staff is encouraged to commute to work by carpooling, using public transportation, biking or walking. The Torarica Group Corporate Responsibility connect the establishments with various charity organisations. In that way, they are donating bed linens, bath towels, bedsheets to local hospitals and homeless shelters.

About The Torarica Group

With more than fifty-five years of experience, the Torarica Group is a true Surinamese landmark and stands for unprecedented hospitality and guest experience. Suriname is located on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America bordering French Guyana to the east, Guyana to the west, and Brazil to the south.

Planning your next trip? Please visit torarica.com for ways to connect and make your next hotel reservation: reservations@torarica.com

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