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

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 the past months, we presented all 17 SDGs and explained their connection to Green Key. Today we talk about the last goal, SDG 17!

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 a safer, fairer and more livable place.   

On this page, you will learn more about Goal 17: "Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development".

What is Goal 17 about?

According to the UN, “Achieving the ambitious targets of the 2030 Agenda requires a revitalised and enhanced global partnership that brings together Governments, civil society, the private sector, the United Nations system and other actors and mobilises all available resources. Enhancing support to developing countries, in particular the least developed countries and the small island developing States, is fundamental to equitable progress for all”. In the link above, you can read about the targets and indicators to Goal 17.

Green Key’s global profile involves cooperation and partnerships among multiple stakeholders from the public, private and NGO sectors at various levels: At the local level between staff, guests, suppliers, and the surrounding community and at the national and international level between NGOs, corporate partners, authorities, and other partners involved in sustainable tourism. 

How does Green Key help to achieve goal 17?

Sustainable development can only be attained when businesses, civil society, NGOs, and governments contribute together to the same goals. Green Key believes in SDG 17’s global partnership for sustainable development and harnesses the power of its multi-stakeholder network to move further in the transition towards sustainability (SDG target 17.16).

Additionally, Green Key is partnering up with companies and startups in the field of clean technologies and smart solutions to spread sustainable technology as far and as broadly as possible (SDG target 17.7).

Green Key is also engaging with partner countries (with essential help from National Operators), institutional stakeholders, and NGO partners in the process of building collective capacity for sustainability (SDG target 17.9), for example by actively requiring establishments to measure their consumption and quantify their impacts on the environment.

Although SDG 17 shapes all actions undertaken by Green Key as a programme, we point out some of the ways 2022-2025 criteria help achieve the aforementioned targets:

• STRONG LOCAL PRESENCE – Thanks to Green Key's global network encompassing around about 60 countries, the programme can count on a variety of sustainable tourism experts who are ready to share their experience, knowledge, and ideas in close contact with applicant establishments all over the world. National Operators speak the local language, know national regulation and culture, and can assist establishments more closely in their path towards sustainability;

• INDEPENDENT, UNBIASED DECISION-MAKING - In most countries running the Green Key programme, either national juries composed of stakeholders from different sectors (e.g. national establishment associations, ministries of tourism/environment, representatives of the private sector or NGOs, etc.) or third-party auditors take the decision on the award, which ensures a broad and independent verification of the requirements, as well as a transparent and unbiased decision-making process;

• PARTNERING UP WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES - Green Key certified establishments must establish an active collaboration with relevant local stakeholders to enhance their active role in boosting environmental awareness and in promoting environmentally friendly practices in their surroundings (criterion 11.6). The aim of the programme is to actively engage businesses as ambassadors of sustainability and drivers for eco-friendly change across society;

• RELIABLE SUSTAINABILITY DATA – In line with SDG targets 17.18 and 17.19, Green Key believes in integrating education and awareness raising with a quantitative approach to the measurement of sustainability. Establishments are asked to register monthly/annual data on energy (criterion 7.1), water (criterion 4.1), waste (criterion 6.10), food waste (criterion 8.6) and GHG emissions (criterion 1.6) and input them in sustainability accounting database ECO-OS for further analysis by the Green Key staff. Annual reports are given back to the establishments, identifying opportunities for improvements and general trends in their environmental performance. Organised information on how the establishment is doing in terms of sustainability can support management and help leaders take more informed decisions to lower negative impacts on the environment and significantly move the hospitality industry closer to the common sustainability goal.

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 #6

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 6: "Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all"

What is Goal 6 about?

According to the UN, "Water and sanitation are at the very core of sustainable development, critical to the survival of people and the planet. Goal 6 not only addresses the issues relating to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, but also the quality and sustainability of water resources worldwide.” In the link above, you can read about the targets and indicators to Goal 6. 

Tourism can be a major factor in the water consumption of a region, even more so in the case the country’s economy heavily relies on the hospitality industry for value. Water is used in the bathrooms of tourism accommodations, in the kitchens, for swimming pools and spa areas, for washing and cleaning, and for irrigating gardens and parks. Water management is even more of a key element for those establishments that operate in drought-susceptible areas or near the seaside, where marine ecosystems are easily affected by their operations.

How does Green Key help to achieve Goal 6?

Many of Green Key's criteria deal with the reduction of water consumption and the protection of water-related ecosystems as well as freshwater sources. In fact, criteria section 4 (see here) is entirely dedicated to water management, although sustainability in water resources can be considered a cross-sectional principle that should shape the whole activity structure of a Green Key certified establishment. The programme especially addresses SDG targets that have to do with reducing water pollution and protecting water-dependent ecosystems (SDG targets 6.3, 6.6), increasing water-use efficiency (SDG target 6.4), implementing integrated water management (SDG target 6.5), and enhancing capacity building related to water management in developing countries (SDG target 6.a).Here are some examples of what 2022-2025 criteria entail:

• MONITORING OF THE WATER CONSUMPTION - Green Key believes in the importance of monitoring sustainability with data on environmental performance. For this reason, Green Key uses ECO-OS as a sustainability accounting database, where the establishments’ water consumption data are registered periodically to evaluate the consumption and find opportunities for improvement (criterion 4.1). Green Key recommends certified establishment to monitor water consumption by installing separated meters in strategically important water-hubs of the premises, so as to easily identify potential areas where resources can be saved (criterion 4.13). Green Key is also offering a free calculation tool on its website to help tourism establishments calculate their water footprint; 

• WATER SAVINGS – A whole set of criteria is dedicated to water saving and making sure that little to no water is wasted due to lack of maintenance, faulty appliances, or inefficient tools (SDG target 6.4). This is particularly the case for toilets (criterion 4.2), leakages (4.3), showers (4.4), taps (4.5, 4.14), urinals (4.6), dishwashers (4.7 and 4.9) and swimming pools (4.11);

• WASTEWATER TREATMENT – In order to protect local ecosystems and drinking water sources from pollution risks (SDG target 6.3), all Green Key certified establishments install grease traps (criterion 4.10), and either must be connected to an existing public sewage system or must have an own on-site wastewater treatment system (4.8, 4.15). Wastewater treatment aims at neutralizing hazardous chemical and biological compounds in the establishments’ effluent before releasing it back into the environment;

• CHEMICALS IN WATER EFFLUENTS – Establishments are required to either pick cleaning products that are environmentally sound, or to altogether replace them with eco-friendly alternatives (criteria 5.3, 5.4, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 4.12). This can significantly improve the quality of water effluents generated from the establishment’s activities, thus saving down-stream resources and reagents needed for wastewater treatment processes. The same is true for pesticides and fertilizers used for gardening on Green Key establishments’ green areas, as eco-friendly and organic alternatives should always be deployed unless there is no alternative on the market (criterion 10.1). Polluted water can infiltrate the ground and contaminate freshwater reservoir, which makes sustainable gardening an important requirement for the reduction of environmental pollution;

• IRRIGATION OF GREEN AREAS - To reduce the water consumption in garden and park areas of Green Key certified establishments, smart watering systems must be implemented (criterion 10.3). As a good practice to reduce drinkable water consumption from freshwater reservoirs and other sources, establishments are also encouraged to collect and use rainwater for gardening and other suitable purposes (criterion 10.5);

• GUEST AND STAFF INVOLVEMENT - Green Key believes that the education of staff and guests is one main factor in reducing the water consumption in a tourism establishment. First, all staff members must be made aware of the establishment’s water saving initiatives (criteria 2.2, 2.3, 2.5), and the housekeeping staff must implement the procedures regarding towel and sheet reuse in daily operations, so as to lower water consumption related to laundry (criterion 2.4). Green Key certified establishments also engage guests in their sustainability commitment (criterion 3.4), by instructing guests about water savings, and by giving them the option to forego the cleaning of sheets, towels, and rooms (criteria 5.1, 5.2, 5.12).

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 #12

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 12: "Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns".   

What is Goal 12 about?

According to the UN "Achieving Goal 12 requires a strong national framework for sustainable consumption and production that is integrated into national and sectoral plans, sustainable business practices and consumer behaviour, together with adherence to international norms on the management of hazardous chemicals and wastes."

How does Green Key help to achieve Goal 12?

SDG 12 lies at the very core of Green Key’s activities, as it sets its roots deep in societal consumption patterns (SDG target 12.1), as well as the way in which resources are handled throughout their entire lifecycle, from direct use (SDG targets 12.2) to disposal (SDG targets 12.3, 12.5), passing through handling and storing (SDG target 12.5). SDG 12 also addresses the challenges of sustainable tourism specifically, requiring stakeholders that play a role in the hospitality industry to monitor their activities (SDG target 12.b), to report them adequately and be accountable for their actions (SDG target 12.6), as well as to inform the public and share best practices, awareness, and involvement (SDG target 12.8). Green Key helps both tourism establishments and their guests to make more sustainable consumption decisions:

• SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Green Key demands its certified establishments to meet high standards regarding the management and consumption of resources such as water (criteria section 4), energy (criteria section 7) and food (criteria section 8). Energy (criterion 7.1), water (4.1), waste (6.10), and GHG emission (1.6) data are monitored periodically, to identify vulnerabilities as well as opportunities for continuous improvement.

• WASTE MANAGEMENT - Green Key encourages their establishments to keep records of the amount and types of waste they produce (criteria 6.10, 8.6), and to have a waste reduction plan in place for several types of waste including food waste (criteria 6.15 and 8.4 respectively). Certified establishments are furthermore encouraged to compost their organic waste (criterion 6.17). On-site composting contributes to closing loose ends of the establishment’s resource cycles. The production of compost from organic residues enables microorganisms and other decomposers to turn a costly waste flow into a valuable resource, used for example as a fertiliser to sustainably boost crop yield and plant health;

• CHEMICAL HANDLING - The environmentally and health-sound management of chemicals as defined in the targets of Goal 12 is also an integral part of Green Key. The programme has a whole category of criteria dealing with the responsible management and reduction of waste (criteria section 6), as well as several requirements dealing with the responsible handling of chemicals (criteria 5.4, 5.8, 5.10, 6.6, 6.7). The objective is to reduce environmental pollution generated by the hospitality industry, in this case particularly by having wastewater effluent treated according to national standards before it is released back into the environment, as well as to save resources and reagents to clean such effluent, by increasing its quality at earlier stages;

• LEADING THE SUSTAINABILITY TRANSITION - Green Key certified establishments are encouraged to act as green ambassadors and take the lead in the transition towards sustainability, for example by encouraging suppliers and third-party operated businesses within their premises to operate according to the principles of sustainability (criteria 13.1, 13.4) and contribute to making production/consumption patterns more eco-friendly;

• SUSTAINABLE CONSUMER CHOICES – At the very foundation of Green Key being an eco-label lies the idea that consumers must be enabled to easily make informed decisions when it comes to picking accommodations and other services in the hospitality industry. The effort Green Key is putting in collaboration with its OTA (Online Travel Agencies) partners is meant to provide consumers with an easy and reliable way to differentiate establishments based on their environmental, sustainability and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) performance;  

• SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING – As SDG target 12.6 points out, it is more and more important for establishments and especially large, transnational chains to provide information on their environmental performance, and either take credit for their efforts or responsibilities for their shortcomings. Green Key is partnering up with international hotel chains operating all over the world and keeps engaging them in the transition to sustainability. Data on energy, water, waste, and carbon emissions are collected on a periodical basis to highlight trends, improvements, or opportunities to increase efficiency, while the programme gives its partners useful data back to include in their sustainability reports.

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 #10

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 10: "Reduce inequality within and among countries".

What is Goal 10 about?

According to the UN, "Goal 10 calls for reducing inequalities in income as well as those based on age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status within a country. The Goal also addresses inequalities among countries, including those related to representation, migration and development assistance.” In the link above, you can read about the targets and indicators to Goal 10. 

In many developing countries, tourism is an important source of income and employment. However, these positive effects often do not reach those parts of society that would need it the most. If managed sustainably, however, tourism business can make a valuable contribution to the eradication of discrimination and inequalities. 

How does Green Key help to achieve goal 10?

The hospitality sector has a significant role in the provision of job opportunities to many workers, representing an important source of income for many countries. How this income is distributed also depends on how sustainable the management of the tourism establishment is. SDG target 10.2 clarifies that the social, economic, and political inclusion should be granted irrespective of “sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or other statuses”, and the Green Key programme shares this 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.

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 #3

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 3: "Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages". 

What is Goal 3 about?

According to the UN, Goal 3 "seeks to ensure health and well-being for all, at every stage of life. The Goal addresses all major health priorities, including reproductive, maternal and child health; communicable, non-communicable and environmental diseases; universal health coverage; and access for all to safe, effective, quality, and affordable medicines and vaccines. It also calls for more research and development, increased health financing, and strengthened capacity of all countries in health risk reduction and management."

How does Green Key help to achieve Goal 3?

Green Key's criteria promote the health and well-being of the staff and guests by monitoring reducing the exposure to harmful substances and environmental pollution (SDG target 3.9). The programme requires certified establishments to comply with relevant health, safety, and environmental legislation (criterion 11.1). Additionally, here are some of the 2022-2025 criteria contributing to the achievement of SDG 3:

• WATER POLLUTION PREVENTION - All Green Key certified establishments need to have their wastewater treated, to ensure that it does not pollute the sea or any groundwater body (criterion 4.8); furthermore, Green Key encourages establishment to implement on-site wastewater treatment (where possible) to enable water savings and reduce pollution risk as well as other chemical hazards (criterion 4.15);

• CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT AND SOURCING - Hazardous chemicals pose a serious threat to human and ecosystem health. Pollutants can damage recipients via different pathways, such as ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. For this reason, Green Key certified establishments must reduce the use of hazardous chemicals, while still ensuring the highest standards of hygiene. Disinfection substances may only be used in accordance with the products’ directions for use, and in correspondence with the national legislation on hygiene. Fragranced products should be avoided, as they can be the cause for skin irritations and allergies (criteria 5.4, 5.10). The same applies to pesticides and fertilisers used in green areas within the establishment’s premises (criterion 10.1). Soaps, shampoos, and shower gels are preferably eco-labelled, thus providing, so that chemicals used in these products are verified (criterion 6.17);

• WASTE MANAGEMENT - Green Key expects applicant establishments to implement an effective waste management system that includes actions addressing the prevention, handling, and final disposal of the produced waste. In order to prevent environmental pollution and reduce the risk of human exposure to waste (criteria 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.6, 6.7);

• (NON)-SMOKING POLICY - Green Key promotes a smoke-free environment. At least 75% of the rooms in a certified establishment need to be non-smoking, and restaurants should be non-smoking or at least have a non-smoking section (criteria 9.1, 9.2). Furthermore, Green Key certified establishments are supposed to have a personnel policy in place regarding smoking during working hours (criterion 9.3);

• AIR QUALITY – Green Key establishments are encouraged to regularly monitor air quality within their premises, to make sure that staff work in a safe environment, and that guests are not exposed to health risks during their stay (criterion 9.4). Certified establishments should also 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 (13.10, 13.12), and by granting electric vehicles access to charging stations (criterion 7.26): this way toxic exhaust fumes released in the air are reduced, and so should the effects of air pollution threatening human health;

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 #16

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 a safer, fairer and more livable place.   

On this page, you will learn more about Goal 16: "Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels".

What is Goal 16 about?

According to the UN, “Peace, justice and effective, accountable and inclusive institutions are at the core of sustainable development. Several regions have enjoyed increased and sustained levels of peace and security in recent decades. But many countries still face protracted armed conflict and violence, and far too many people struggle as a result of weak institutions and the lack of access to justice, information and other fundamental freedoms”. In the link above, you can read about the targets and indicators to Goal 16.

Green Key is a programme that promotes just and inclusive societies through cooperation and awareness raising. It encourages inclusiveness and collaboration between stakeholders from different sectors at local, national, and international level as well as equitability in employment, engagement with minorities, local communities and entrepreneurs, as well as dialogue and consent of nearby indigenous and local communities. 

How does Green Key help to achieve goal 16?

As a prerequisite for the sustainability transition to occur, society must be organised and lead by effective institutions, as well as regulated by reliable, just, and equitable laws and regulations. Fighting against discrimination (SDG target 16.b) and for social justice (SDG target 16.3), enabling participation of society in the shaping of sustainable policies (SDG target 16.7), as well as ensuring fundamental freedoms (SDG target 16.10) and contrasting child abuse and exploitation (SDG target 16.2) are principles that lie at the very core of Green Key and of certified establishments’ ethics. Here are some of 2022-2025 criteria that reiterate these concepts and push Green Key sites to make stronger commitments in the field of inclusion and justice:

• COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION - All certified establishment must follow international, national, and local legislation regarding the environment, health, safety, and labour (criterion 11.1). This includes, among others, fair and safe working conditions for their staff, but also taking an active stance to fight injustice and illegal activities in their surroundings, e.g. by not supporting illegal trafficking of cultural artefacts and products derived from endangered species (criterion 11.3), and by refraining from availing themselves of any form of child labour and/or exploitation (criterion 11.2);

• INCLUSION – Minorities and disadvantaged groups must be part of the transition towards sustainability, and Green Key encourages tourism establishment to become examples of inclusion and equitable access to fundamental rights and equal treatment. Establishments are invited to extend access to people with special needs (criterion 11.4), as well as to be equitable in hiring women and local minorities, including in management positions (criterion 11.5);

• POSITIVE IMPACT ON LOCAL COMMUNITIES - To support an inclusive society, Green Key certified establishments are encouraged to support initiatives for social community growth including, among others, education, health, sanitation, and infrastructure development (criterion 11.6). As establishments must also make sure their operations do not threaten the surrounding social environment, they should produce a code of conduct for activities in respective communities, engaging Indigenous and local communities in the process, so as to strengthen the local network, find peaceful coexisting solutions and create shared positive value (criterion 12.4).

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 #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.