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.
