Green Key Global—a sustainable certification program for hotels in North America that is powered by the Hotel Association of Canada and the American Hotel and Lodging Association—has signed an agreement with Choice Hotels International to offer its franchisees preferred services as properties seek its sustainability certification. With the agreement, Choice hotel owners in the U.S. will be able to harness Green Key Global’s expertise to optimize operations for sustainable practices and potentially get Green Key Eco-Rating and Green Key Meetings certifications.
For certification, Green Key Global partners with a third-party accredited audit facilitator, Control Union, to assess hotels across four pillars: sustainable management, environmental impacts, cultural impacts and socioeconomic impacts. Participating hotels will receive tools and one-on-one guidance to manage and improve their environmental impact. This includes opportunities to reduce utility consumption, waste, emissions and operating costs.
Nine in 10 consumers said they look for sustainable options when traveling, and certifications can also help satisfy corporate customers who are increasingly requesting information about their suppliers’ social and environmental initiatives (according to the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance). Green Key’s eco-certification is aligned with all 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
“Choice Hotels has demonstrated a commitment to environmental responsibility by working with hotels in its system to identify utility saving opportunities and reporting greenhouse gas emissions through Its ‘Room to be Green’ program, that covers energy, water, waste, engagement, and biodiversity practices," Anick Levesque, managing director, Green Key Global, said in a statement. "Now, Choice franchisees can work with Green Key Global to achieve sought-after sustainability certifications, potentially helping to drive bookings to their hotels.”
“This agreement will help support Choice franchisees as they seek to certify their sustainability practices and help them attract guests and corporate clients,” said Megan Brumagim, vice president, sustainability, Choice Hotels.
In celebration of signing the agreement with Choice, Green Key Global has contributed to planting more than 4,400 trees through charity partner, One Tree Planted.