Green hotel certification got a boost this past week with Green Key Global’s rollout of its Green Key Ready program. Green Key Ready was first announced at the American Hotel & Lodging Assn. (AHLA) Responsible Stay Summit on March 27. Green Key Global, a well-established certifier of green lodging establishments for several decades, is owned by AHLA and Hotel Association of Canada (HAC). Green Key Ready provides hotels with a structured, accessible and cost-effective steppingstone toward Green Key Eco-Rating certification.
Gary Graham, Director of Operations & Program Development, Green Key Global, says Green Key Ready addresses what were barriers to Green Key Eco-Rating certification. “It is very much focused toward select service and independent properties, and others, that have limited bandwidth—time and resources—to dedicate to sustainability,” Graham says. “It is ideal for hotel properties in the early stages of their sustainability journey.”
Only for properties in the U.S. and Canada, Green Key Ready requires completion of a 16-question self-assessment. Questions pertain to whether a hotel has a sustainability policy, a green team, whether it measures energy consumption, has a recycling program, an effort to reduce single-use plastic, etc.
The Importance of Leadership, Team Buy-in
Graham said that hotels that have had success certifying typically have a sustainability champion on board. “Usually, there is an individual responsible,” he says. “Sustainability is personally or professionally important to many. Successful properties also have every department invested.”
Hoteliers completing the form take the first steps toward Green Key Eco-Rating certification and have one year to reach that goal. “Hotels don’t have to wait until they have all their ducks in a row to get started,” Graham says. “They can communicate out that they have started their path. We recognize that every hotel is not in the same place.”
Hotels that become Green Key Ready have access to sustainability tools and resources, structured guidance to implement sustainability practices, and a digital recognition logo for marketing and brand visibility. They will not be listed on the Green Key Global website or on any other website—an online travel agency (OTA) site, for example—until certification is earned.
The Potential for Bigger Partnerships
In regard to industry reaction, Graham told me: “Most brands have amazing goals of reaching certification by a certain date. We have seen a lot of positive responses. It will allow us to have bigger partnerships.”
Rosanna Maietta, President and CEO of AHLA, in a press release stated, “Green Key Ready is an essential tool that helps hotels of all sizes integrate sustainability into their operations, ensuring they meet guest expectations while driving industry-wide progress aligning with our Responsible Stay initiative.”
“This program will fast-track the adoption of sustainable practices across the industry and establish a new benchmark for responsible hospitality,” added Beth McMahon, President and CEO of HAC.
The Green Key Ready cost to get rolling toward later certification is $375 per property. Participants may be eligible for special incentives or discounts when upgrading to full certification within the first year.
Click here to access the 5 Best Practices for Sustainability Success video on the Green Key Ready website.
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