Green Key and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals: SDG #11

Green Key is a leading standard of excellence in the field of sustainable tourism, guiding tourism establishments in doing their part in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN. In our new feature series we will present each of the 17 SDGs and explain their connection to Green Key. 

In 2015, the UN member states adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to guide governments, the private sector and civil society in transforming our world into safer, fairer and more livable place.   

On this page, you will learn more about Goal 11: "Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable".

What is Goal 11 about?

Goal 11 addresses the rapid growth of urban settlements that leads to unsustainable developments. Many fast-growing cities face environmental challenges such as water and air pollution and need to rethink their resource and waste management.

In many cities, over-tourism puts additional pressure on the urban environment. Tourism establishments use resources like water and energy, occupy urban space and strain on urban infrastructure. Furthermore, tourists put pressure on the natural and cultural heritage of urban spaces if their presence is not sustainably.

How does Green Key help to achieve goal 11?

In many destinations, tourism establishments are important urban assets, as they represent hubs of service, resources, tourism, and culture. As active players in the transition towards sustainability, Green Key certified establishments are required to take a stand in favor of promoting sustainable transportation (SDG target 11.2), of protecting and promoting local natural and cultural heritage (SDG target 11.4) and of reducing harmful flows of air-, water- and waste-driven pollution (SDG target 11.6), Here is what Green Key 2022-2025 criteria ask of the certified establishments:

• SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION – Daily transportation of staff, resources and guests represent an important share of overall emissions the establishments are responsible for, even more so when activities revolve around a travel intensive sector such as the hospitality industry. Green Key asks its certified establishments to promote the use of sustainable transportation and provide it for staff (criteria 13.10, 13.12) and guests (criteria 12.2, 12.3), e.g. in the form of bike rentals and eco-friendly motorised vehicles used for daily operations. Charging stations should also be installed to support the transition to less polluting electric vehicles (criterion 7.26);

• WASTE AND POLLUTION REDUCTION – Economic activity necessarily entails consumption of resources and production of negative externalities, such as air-, water- and soil pollution. Harmful by-products can put a serious strain on the environment and generate losses in aesthetic value, tourism-attraction potential, as well as biodiversity. Green Key certified establishments reduce the use of resources such as water (criteria section 4) and energy (criteria section 7) to consequently lower GHG emissions and wastewater effluent volume that would inevitably impact on the environment. At the same time, 2022-2025 criteria increasingly stress the importance of waste management, and make it compulsory for establishments to register monthly data on waste production (criterion 6.10), but also recommend them to draft a waste reduction action plan (criterion 6.15), so that establishments take resource cycles into account and make their best to cut on any unnecessary resource consumption and recover everything they can before it ends up harming the environment as well as human health (criteria section 6);

• RENOVATION MATERIALS – Renovation, upgrades and refurbishments of infrastructure represent relevant opportunities for establishments to improve their environmental performance, but they also generate construction waste and pollution. Green Key endorses its certified establishments to pick materials responsibly to make sure that renovations have the lowest negative impacts for the environment, for example by choosing eco-friendly (criterion 9.5) and locally sourced materials (criterion 9.6), so that transportation, cleaning, waste handling and maintenance costs are taken into account and always kept low.

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

Green Key and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals: SDG #7

Green Key is a leading standard of excellence in the field of sustainable tourism, guiding tourism establishments to do their part in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN. In our new feature series we will present each of the 17 SDGs and explain their connection to Green Key. 

In 2015, the UN member states adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to guide governments, the private sector and civil society in transforming our world into safer, fairer and more livable place.   

On this page, you will learn more about Goal 7: "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all".

What is Goal 7 about?

According to the UN, "Energy is crucial for achieving almost all of the Sustainable Development Goals, from its role in the eradication of poverty through advancements in health, education, water supply and industrialisation, to combating climate change.” In the link above, you can read about the targets and indicators to Goal 7. 

The tourism and hospitality industry is an energy-intensive sector, requiring electricity for its facilities and the provision of tourism-related services such as accommodation, catering, and tourism experiences.

According to UNEP and UNWTO, tourism is responsible of about 5% of global CO2 emissions. The accommodation sector alone accounts for approximately 20% of emissions from tourism.*

How does Green Key help to achieve Goal 7?

Green Key has a whole section of criteria (see section 7 here) dealing with energy efficiency and savings (SDG target 7.3), renewable sources (SDG target 7.2), green technologies (SDG target 7.a and 7.b), encompassing 29 requirements and guidelines in the 2022-2025 updated criteria set. As it is the case for water management, sustainability in energy consumption is a principle that should contribute to shaping the whole activity structure of Green Key certified establishments, as it is deeply connected to their environmental and emission footprint.

It is worth mentioning that Green Key has built a network of partners operating at the frontier of green technologies and smart solutions, to promote sustainable consumption patterns.

Green Key criteria help tourism establishment both monitor and reduce their energy consumption. More specifically:

• MONITORING OF THE ENERGY CONSUMPTION– Green Key makes it mandatory for certified establishments to register their energy consumption monthly, as well as to differentiate between the sources of energy used to provide electricity, heating and cooling within the establishments’ premises (criterion 7.1). For this reason, Green Key uses ECO-OS as a sustainability accounting database, where the establishments’ energy consumption data are registered periodically to evaluate the consumption and find opportunities for improvement. Certified establishments are encouraged to install separated meters at strategic energy hubs within their premises (criterion 7.23), to further breakdown consumption and identify viable ways to reduce their overall energy demand. Finally, Green Key suggests that certified establishments undergo independent and external energy audits every 5 years (criterion 7.19). Green Key also offers a free calculation tool on its website to help tourism establishments measure their carbon footprint, based on their Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

• ENERGY EFFICIENCY – As technology moves forward, so do establishments to increase their energy efficiency in daily operations. Green Key establishments must make an effort to purchase appliances and electronics with a low energy consumption, such as light bulbs (criterion 7.3), mini bars (7.8, 7.16), and other electronic devices (7.11, 7.18). Furthermore, Green Key recommends its certified establishments to perform continuous maintenance on appliances so that efficiency is always maximised, e.g. grease filters (criterion 7.4), heating and cooling systems (7.5), door seals of refrigeration appliances (7.6), freezing equipment (7.7). An increase in energy efficiency that goes hand in hand with the adoption of responsible and sustainable consumption patterns can contribute significantly to the reduction of GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions caused by the establishment’s activities, with the hospitality sector moving one step closer to the Net Zero goal by 2050;

• SMART CONSUMPTION - Certified establishments are required to reduce their energy consumption by applying smart energy management systems and solutions such as:

  • Adjusting heating and air-conditioning control (HVAC) systems according to seasonal changes or when the establishment’s facilities are not in use (criterion 7.2), as well as kitchen hood fan speeds with automated infrared technologies (7.27);

  • Implementing procedures to switch off electric devices in empty meeting rooms and bedrooms, as well as installing motion detectors, automatic switch-offs, or daylight sensors in common indoor (criteria 7.9, 7.21) and outdoor (7.12) areas;

  • Having air-conditioning and heating systems automatically switch off when windows are opened (criterion 7.24);

  • Defining standard temperatures for cooling and heating in guest and meeting rooms (criterion 7.10);

  • Implementing a heat recovery system for e.g. refrigeration, ventilators, and swimming pools (criterion 7.25);

• BUILDING EFFICIENCY – Heating, cooling and temperature management performed within the establishments’ premises are only as effective as the building is insulated to prevent heat loss. This is why Green Key pushes certified establishments to improve their infrastructure, e.g. by meeting requirements for higher national or international building ratings (criterion 7.20), but also by exceeding local/national standards for window efficiency to achieve better results and lead the transition (7.17);

• RENEWABLE ENERGY – In order to further lower their ecological footprint and emission levels, establishments taking part in the Green Key journey towards sustainability are strongly encouraged to source their energy responsibly, picking renewable energy providers or producing renewable energy themselves more and more, to cover up to 100% of their total energy consumption (criteria 7.13, 7.14). In case they are disconnected from the electrical grid altogether, establishments should install efficient energy generators to prevent energy loss (7.29);

• ENERGY AND TRANSPORTATION – Green Key certified establishments are also expected to promote sustainable energy consumption among guests, staff, and other relevant stakeholders. Establishments should support sustainable transportation either by recommending bike rentals and other eco-friendly means to guests (criteria 3.6, 12.2), or by providing bike rental services themselves (criterion 12.3), by banning vehicle idling within their premises (criterion 13.11), by providing and encouraging the use of environmentally friendly motorised vehicles to staff (criteria 13.10, 13.12), and by granting electric vehicles access to charging stations (criterion 7.26);

• GUEST AND STAFF INVOLVEMENT – Green Key certified establishments inform and engage guests in their energy saving initiatives, thus promoting responsible behaviour among tourists, and encouraging them to reduce their energy consumption during their stay (criteria 3.4, 3.6). At the same time, staff actively takes part in the collective effort to implement sustainability as a fundamental part of daily operations, e.g. by training them periodically (criterion 2.3), by nudging sustainable practices with clear signage in the staff areas (criterion 2.5), and by promoting sustainable transportation practices, such as car-sharing and the use of eco-friendly vehicles (criterion 13.12).

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

Green Key and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals: SDG #8

Green Key is a leading standard of excellence in the field of sustainable tourism, guiding tourism establishments to do their part in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN. In our new feature series we will present each of the 17 SDGs and explain their connection to Green Key. 

In 2015, the UN member states adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to guide governments, the private sector and civil society in transforming our world into safer, fairer and more livable place.   

On this page, you will learn more about Goal 8: "Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all".

What is Goal 8 about?

According to the UN, "increasing labour productivity, reducing the unemployment rate, especially for young people, and improving access to financial services and benefits are essential components of sustained and inclusive economic growth." In this context, the UN identifies a variety of ways to ensure that development is both environmentally and socially sustainable, for example the decoupling of economic growth and environmental degradation (SDG target 8.4), the promotion of a sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products (SDG target 8.9), the eradication of child labour and slavery (SDG target 8.7), and the protection of labour rights to promote safe and secure working conditions (SDG target 8.8). The more a tourism business is integrated into the local social and economic environment, the more benefits will be generated for the whole local community. 

How does Green Key help to achieve Goal 8?

Being an eco-certification designed to foster sustainable practices in the hospitality industry, Green Key specifically addresses SDG target 8.9. Green Key focuses on helping establishments reduce their resource consumption and increase the overall environmental efficiency of the tourism sector. Furthermore, Green Key encourages the support of local economies and promotes equality and inclusiveness in working environments. Here are some of the ways Green Key actively takes a stand towards the achievement of SDG 8:

• DECOUPLING – Data of Green Key certified establishments on energy, water, carbon missions and waste are collected and analyzed with the sustainability accounting database ECO-OS to identify opportunities for establishments to reduce consumption and increase efficiency. Improving the environmental performance simultaneously helps to achieve cost-savings, thus proving that profitability can and should go hand in hand with environmental choices. The implementation of green technologies, smart solutions and through behavioral change enable establishments to achieve more with less and to generate positive net impacts on the society as a whole;

• WORKING CONDITIONS AND CHILD LABOUR – All establishments must run in compliance with international, national, and local legislation regarding the environment, health, safety, and labour (criterion 11.1). Among such requirements, establishments must make sure that safety of staff and guests is always accounted for, e.g. by putting in place safe procedures for the handling and storing of hazardous chemicals (criteria 6.6, 6.7), by preferably monitoring indoor air quality periodically (9.4), and by making sure that cleaning and gardening products do not contain compounds that are potentially harmful for human health (5.3, 5.4, 10.1). Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that establishments cannot qualify for the Green Key award unless they prohibit and take action to fight child labour and exploitation in their activities (11.2);

• SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES - Establishments certified with the Green Key should actively work towards generating a positive impact on the local community and economy, for example by supporting local community development initiatives (criterion 11.6), and by elaborating a sustainable purchasing policy (11.10) that favors locally-sourced and fair trade products/services, e.g. as regards food, beverages and cleaning services, to promote the local culture and economy (criteria 8.1, 13.7). Green Key also endorses establishments to make a further step and enable local small entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products to guests within the establishment’s premises (11.7).

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

Green Key and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals: SDG #4

Green Key is a leading standard of excellence in the field of sustainable tourism, guiding tourism establishments to do their part in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN. In our new feature series we will present each of the 17 SDGs and explain their connection to Green Key. 

In 2015, the UN member states adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to guide governments, the private sector and civil society in transforming our world into safer, fairer and more livable place.   

On this page, you will learn more about Goal 4: "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all".

What is Goal 4 about?

According to the UN, poor education, and equity issues regarding the access to education facilities and vocational training are problems that still need to be solved worldwide. Furthermore, Goal 4 explicitly addresses the need for education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.

How does Green Key help to achieve Goal 4?

Although Green Key is not merely an educational programme, it does have a strong educational component that addresses SDG target 4.7, education for sustainable development. The Green Key standard includes various criteria that promote awareness-raising and the active engagement of guest and staff in sustainability actions. Furthermore, ensuring equal access to training and employment is encouraged as well (SDG target 4.5). Many Green Key certified establishments like the Park Inn by Radisson Leuven or the Radisson Blu Alcron Hotel in Prague have special training programmes for disadvantaged social groups, supporting participants in gaining skills relevant for the work in the hospitality sector. Other relevant contributions of the Green Key 2022-2025 criteria to SDG 4 are:

• TRAINING OF STAFF - Sustainability education within the establishment is ensured through regular staff training on environmental and other relevant sustainability issues. In the effort to continuously improve operations towards sustainability, it is paramount that the whole organisation is engaged in the green transition, thus ensuring that all parts of the establishment’s activities share a common eco-friendly vision and organic implementation (criterion 2.3);

• ENGAGEMENT OF GUESTS - In addition, Green Key certified establishments are required to inform their guests about environmental initiatives, as well as to encourage them to support their work by opting for more sustainable decisions during their stay. For example, guests should have the option to forego sheets and towel changing or room cleaning altogether (criteria 5.1, 5.2, 5.12). Guest support can revolve strictly around the establishment’s environmental management (e.g. water- and energy savings, as well as waste prevention), but also tackle issues related to social, cultural, economic, quality, health, and safety (e.g. support to local charities) and other green initiatives (criterion 3.4). Establishments must make information available for guests about parks and nature conservation areas and about bike rentals, in its surroundings (criteria 12.1, 12.2), and would preferably take action to promote sustainable tourist behavior among its guests (criterion 12.4);

• SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT DISSEMINATION - Green Key certified establishments must establish active collaboration with at least two relevant local stakeholders to support the local community in the field of sustainability capacity building. Civil society and other businesses are regarded as potential recipients of sustainable development education provided by Green Key certified establishments (criterion 1.5); moreover, Green Key sites are required to inform third party-operated businesses operating on their premises as well as suppliers about their environmental commitment, and should encourage them run their activities following the principles of sustainability (criteria 13.1, 13.4);

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

Green Key and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals: SDG #15

Green Key is a leading standard of excellence in the field of sustainable tourism, guiding tourism establishments to do their part in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN. In our feature series we will present each of the 17 SDGs and explain their connection to Green Key. 

In 2015, the UN member states adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to guide governments, the private sector and civil society in transforming our world into safer, fairer and more livable place.   

On this page, you will learn more about Goal 15: "Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss".

What is Goal 15 about?

According to the UN "Preserving diverse forms of life on land requires targeted efforts to protect, restore and promote the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial and other ecosystems. Goal 15 focuses specifically on managing forests sustainably, restoring degraded lands and successfully combating desertification, reducing degraded natural habitats and ending biodiversity loss". In the link above, you can read about the targets and indicators to Goal 15. 

Healthy ecosystems with flourishing biodiversity are often the main reasons why tourists visit a destination. However, tourism can also contribute to biodiversity loss and the degradation of ecosystems if not managed responsibly. Tourism infrastructure may negatively affect ecosystems and habitats. Waste and wastewater are introduced in fragile environments and disturb the natural balance. Illegal hunting as well as souvenirs and food products derived from endangered species threaten local biodiversity. 

How does Green Key help to achieve goal 15?

SDG 15 addresses the issues related to the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services due to unsustainable management and environmental pollution. In fact, two of Green Key’s strategy focal points for 2030 revolve around biodiversity and environmental pollution, as they both heavily affect the hospitality industry, thus representing either a threat, if resources are ill-managed, or a big opportunity, if sustainability is implemented.

Conservation of terrestrial and freshwater eco-systems (SDG target 15.1), sustainable forest management (SDG target 15.2), biodiversity conservation of mountains and natural habitats (SDG targets 15.3, 15.4), support of local communities against poaching and illegal trafficking of endangered species (SDG targets 15.6, 15.c), as well as containment of invasive species (SDG target 15.8) are some of the principles that contribute to shaping 2022-2025 Green Key criteria for certified establishments.

Here are some of the ways the programme promotes the achievement of SDG 15:

• RESPONSIBLE SOURCING – Ensuring that products and supplies used in the daily operations are manufactured according to sustainable practices is key to make sure that the establishments are not indirectly contributing to environmental harm. For this reason, Green Key asks its certified establishments to source goods and services from eco-certified suppliers (criterion 13.5) and to make sure that e.g. food products (criteria 8.1, 8.10), sanitary paper (criterion 5.5) and office supplies (criterion 13.2) are also eco-labeled. Paper use should also be reduced (criterion 13.3) to lower the strain on forest ecosystems: woods and trees act as natural carbon-sequestration devices that trap CO2 from the atmosphere and turn it into biomass. Logging trees for paper production inevitably consumes energy and water for industrial processes, but also limits the ecosystem capacity to both act as a habitat for biodiversity and to mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere;

• ENDANGERED SPECIES - It is not permitted for Green Key certified establishments to sell or display endangered animal or plant species within their premises certified (criterion 11.7), nor to serve food products derived from such species in restaurants (criterion 8.3). Establishments are required not to deal in products deriving from poaching and illegal trafficking (criterion 11.3) and to support local communities build capacity against these harmful activities (criterion 11.6). Establishments are also asked to respect animal welfare and not exploit domesticated or wild animals for entertainment purposes (criterion 11.8);

• GREEN AREAS –. For gardens and other green arrangements to be sustainable in the long run and easily maintained, Green Key promotes local biodiversity and the use of native species (criterion 10.4), as they are more resilient and adaptable to local weather and climate conditions. At the same time, invasive species that threaten local biodiversity should be avoided and actively dealt with according to safe and effective protocols (criterion 10.5);

• PROMOTING LOCAL NATURE – Only by knowing the local nature, can visitors appreciate its aesthetic, economic and environmental value. Educating tourists about local ecosystems and species is one of the ways establishments can generate positive impact on their surroundings and local communities. Green Key certified establishments are required to provide guests with information about nearby parks, landscapes, and nature conservation areas (criterion 12.1). The information must include the encouragement to follow established guidelines or codes of conduct to minimise visitors’ negative impact on the environment (criterion 12.4).

 It is worth mentioning that Green Key has taken part in the GA:IA 2030 biodiversity campaign along with the other programmes run by the Foundation for Environmental Education. Green Key’s objective is to raise awareness among pivotal players in the hospitality industry, as well as to share best practices by certified establishments in the field of biodiversity conservation.

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

Green Key and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals: SDG #2

Green Key is a leading standard of excellence in the field of sustainable tourism, guiding tourism establishments to do their part in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN. In our new feature series we will present each of the 17 SDGs and explain their connection to Green Key. 

In 2015, the UN member states adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to guide governments, the private sector and civil society in transforming our world into safer, fairer and more livable place.   

On this page, you will learn more about Goal 2: "End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture". 

What is Goal 2 about?

According to the UN, "Goal 2 aims to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition by 2030. It also commits to universal access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food at all times of the year. This will require sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices, equal access to land, technology and markets and international cooperation on investments in infrastructure and technology to boost agricultural productivity." In the link above, you can read about the targets and indicators to Goal 2. 

How does Green Key help to achieve Goal 2?

The Green Key criteria include several requirements and guidelines that promote sustainable food production and support local agricultural businesses. In particular, Green Key criteria 2022-2025 contribute to supporting incomes of small-scale food producers (SDG target 2.3), promoting sustainable agricultural practices and ecosystem protection (SDG target 2.4), as well as maintaining the genetic diversity of plant species (SDG target 2.5). Here is how Green Key criteria do that:

• LOCAL FOOD SOURCING - With the new 2022-2025 criteria, each Green Key certified establishment will purchase and register at least five types of food/drink products that are organic, eco-labelled, fair-trade and/or locally produced, a further step in the path to responsible sourcing. This is to ensure that each establishment supports sustainable food producers and stimulates the local economy, as well as implementing sustainable patterns of consumption and encouraging sustainable production on the offer side (criterion 8.1, 8.10). For customers to be aware of food/beverage origin and composition, establishments are encouraged to provide information about them in the menu (criterion 8.7);

• BAN ON PRODUCTS FROM ENDANGERED SPECIES - Green Key certified establishments must not serve products from endangered species, as a way to make meals less impactful on ecosystems and biodiversity (criterion 8.2);

• VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN OPTIONS - The Green Key programme promotes the inclusion of vegetarian and vegan alternatives on the menu card, as meat-free dishes have a lower environmental footprint (criterion 8.3). In their effort towards continuous improvement, establishments are encouraged to keep widening their vegetarian/vegan offer in the restaurant menus (criteria 8.8, 8.9);

• SUPPORTING LOCAL PRODUCERS - The programme promotes the provision of means for local small entrepreneurs to develop and sell sustainable products within the establishment’s premises. This includes the possibility for local farmers or food producers to either sell their products to the hotel or directly to the guests (criterion 11.7). Consumption of locally sourced products can significantly lower environmental impact by reducing transportation emissions, packaging-related waste and by supporting non-intensive use of the land as well as low-emission manufacturing.

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

Green Key and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals: SDG #1

Green Key is a leading standard of excellence in the field of sustainable tourism, guiding tourism establishments in doing their part in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN. In our new feature series we will present each of the 17 SDGs and explain their connection to Green Key. 

In 2015, the UN member states adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to guide governments, the private sector and civil society in transforming our world into safer, fairer and more livable place.   

Sustainability lies at the heart of Green Key, which is why the programme inherently contributes to all of the 17 goals. Today, we talk about Goal 1: "End poverty in all its forms everywhere".

What is Goal 1 about?

According to the UN " Goal 1 calls for an end to poverty in all its manifestations by 2030. It also aims to ensure social protection for the poor and vulnerable, increase access to basic services and support people harmed by climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters." In the link above, you can read about the targets and indicators to Goal 1. 

How does Green Key help to achieve Goal 1?

The Green Key criteria include several requirements and guidelines that indirectly contribute to the eradication of poverty. In particular, Green Key establishments need to comply with all local, national, and international law on labour, thus making sure that employees are recruited and work under safe and equitable conditions. This setup contributes to achieve the points raised in SDG targets 1.2 and 1.4, respectively calling for reduction of poverty in all its forms, and gender equality as regards access to economic rights. These are some of the ways Green Key criteria 2022-2025 contribute to achieving the SDGs vision:

• STAFF SALARY - All employees working in Green Key certified establishments are paid at least a living wage, as compliance with local, national, and international regulations on labour is one of the imperative criteria, so the salary cannot lie below the legal minimum threshold (criterion 11.1);

• RECRUITMENT EQUITY - All Green Key certified establishments are encouraged to be equitable in hiring women and local minorities, including in management positions, while restraining from using child labour (criteria 11.2, 11.5). Fair conditions and justice at the workplace are at the core of the programme’s ethics, and must be shared by all Green Key certified establishments;

• LOCAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - Green Key certified establishments are asked to actively supports green activities or initiatives for social community development including, among others, education, health, sanitation, and infrastructure (criterion 11.6). In addition, establishments are encouraged to support local small producers in the sale of sustainable products based on the area’s history, nature, and culture (11.7);

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

Booking.com implements ‘Travel Sustainable Badge’ to aid identifying conscious establishments

Booking.com has released a new Travel Sustainable Badge that is accessible to all global partners to gain recognition through the programme, whilst making it simpler for travellers to find eco-conscious establishments.

Booking.com has introduced a sustainability recognition programme that is available for all global partners to utilise. It has been created to encourage the travel industry to act more sustainably and to make it easier for travellers to make sustainable booking choices. The online booking platform has stated that travel allows individuals to broaden their horizons and bring people together, though it is vital for travelling to be done properly, by treating the environment, biodiversity and the residents of the destination with respect.

The Booking.com Travel Sustainable badge shares their partners’ sustainability practices so that the public can understand the initiatives the establishments are taking before making their choice. Allowing those who are environmentally conscious an opportunity to make their reservation with confidence that their visit will have a low impact on the destination. There are 32 sustainability practices that establishments can choose from and the claims are verified through independent professionals in the sustainability sector. The initiatives are additionally shared in numerous languages for individuals to read on their property pages.

In addition, establishments that fulfil the criteria of a GSTC recognised standard such as Green Key have their eco-certification also added to their profile page in Booking.com.

Booking.com has stated that their research found that 73% of travellers are likely to reserve a room in an establishment that has sustainability practices in place. Though 41% are not aware of how to identify sustainable travel options. This problem is solved through the use of the new badge, showcasing establishments that are eligible for the badge as they have been verified and met the sustainability criteria model. Furthermore, the badge provides the establishments with additional recognition for their efforts.

NH Hotel Group continues sustainable initiatives as they gain recognition for third year in a row

NH Hotel Group has continued to be recognised for their sustainable efforts through numerous environmental commitments and initiatives. As they are among the top three establishments within S&P Global report for a sustainable hotel corporation, whilst similarly maintaining recognition as a top performer within the hospitality industry.

NH Hotel Group has been recognised within the hotel sector as one of the three most sustainable companies in the world. S&P Global assessed the group for the third subsequent year, as they repeat their position at third place among the top three establishments within sustainability in the hotel industry globally. S&P Global assesses the organisations yearly as they produce promising corporate procedures concerning sustainability, with a focus on three sustainable dimensions: economic, social and environmental impacts and initiatives. In 2021, over 8,000 organisations were asked to partake in the method as a questionnaire was produced containing both public and private data from the participating organisations. Since the previous year, the NH Hotel Group have improved their score acquired in the criteria. 

"This recognition showcases our firm commitment to the responsible and sustainable management of our company, even in the most adverse of times. These results confirm that we are moving in the right direction and encourage us to continue working towards leading sustainability within the sector". - Ramón Aragonés, CEO of NH Hotel Group, 

Additionally, the NH Hotel Group, part of Minor Hotels has maintained recognition as a top performer within the hospitality industry. They are among the 25,000 hotels that have endeavoured to establish a standard definition of hotel sustainability, this will be launched in March 2022 to drive responsible travel & tourism. The framework will provide a common ground starting point for hotels to begin their sustainability journey. The information will be easily accessible for hotels around the world, regardless of whether they are a large corporation or independent hotel. Furthermore, a recent internal training has been made mandatory for all employees on Environmental Awareness.