Green Key

The total of tourism activities in the world represents a major impact on the environment. The Green Key® was created to raise the awareness of owners and managers of tourism and leisure establishments on the necessity and possibilities of running a responsible business.

Fact 1: The Green Key is an ecolabel awarded to tourism and leisure establishments. The international baseline criteria cover hotels, campsites and attractions.

Fact 2: The Green Key is a programme of Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE).

Fact 3: The Green Key aims to be the biggest global ecolabel with a local base in each of the participating country.

Fact 4: The Green Key is a non-governmental, non-commercial, independent programme recognized and supported by WTO en UNEP.

Fact 5: The Green Key programme rests on 5 pillars:

• Education for sustainable development and environmental awareness of the owners, staffs and clients of leisure establishments;
• Environmental preservation by the reduction of the impacts of the establishment on the environment;
• Economical management as a reduction of the consumption induces a reduction of the costs;
• Marketing strategy with the promotion of the label and the establishments awarded;
• Strengthening of the tourism and leisure branche by taking responsibility broader than then just their own establishments.

Getting awarded with The Green Key means that an establishment has fulfilled a list of requirements. These requirements are contained in mandatory and guideline criteria. Besides environmental demands the criteria include demands on:

• training staff
• monitoring energy use
• washing and cleaning
• food and beverages
• indoor environment
• parks and parking areas
• education
• transportation
• etc.