Green Key Global is a graduated rating system designed to recognize hotels, motels and resorts that are committed to improving their environmental performance.
Based on the results of a comprehensive online environmental audit, facilities are awarded a 1 to 5 Green Key rating and given guidance on how to "unlock" opportunities to reduce operating costs and environmental impacts through reduced utility consumption, employee training, and supply chain management.
Green Key Global is unique in that it is administered entirely online. Once registered, lodging properties are granted instant access to the audit as well as to the tools and resources in the Members Only area.
The audit itself consists of “multiple choice”-style questions divided into the following five sections:
• Corporate Environmental Management;• Housekeeping;• Food & Beverage Operations;• Conference & Meeting Facilities; and• Engineering.
The approximately 140 questions that make up the entire audit relate to the following nine areas of sustainable hotel operations:
• Energy conservation;• Water conservation;• Solid waste management;• Hazardous waste management;• Indoor air quality;• Community outreach;• Building infrastructure;• Land use; and• Environmental management.
Each question has a specific numeric value based on the environmental and social impacts it has on guests, employees, management and the local community. Upon completion of the program, facilities are provided with a Green Key Rating, a report highlighting accomplishments and outlining recommendations, logos, a listing on the program website, and much more.
For more information on the Green Key Global program, call (888) 752-7061.