Ten tourism establishments across Scotland have been certified with Green Key for their strong focus on sustainability

Following diligent efforts in implementing sustainable management principles and undergoing rigorous document checks and on-site audits, ten newly established Scottish establishments have successfully obtained the Green Key certificate.

© Glasgow Science Centre

The United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Glasgow highlighted the importance of accelerating climate action in Scotland’s tourism sector and worldwide.  

Through its criteria and global projects and partnerships, Green Key not only provides advocacy tools and action plans to their certified sites but also a platform to help businesses showcase their sustainable initiatives to a vast audience of environmentally conscious travellers.  

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) has taken significant steps towards delivering effective Climate Action in Tourism. As a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration, FEE is actively working to implement global actions and support member organisations to deliver quality change action. To find out more about FEE’s action plan click here.  

Lyn Donnelly, Senior Responsible Tourism Manager at VisitScotland, said:  

“We all have a duty of care to protect the natural assets which make Scotland so special. Visitors are becoming increasingly aware of their impact on the world around them. We want to support their desire to make sustainable choices by equipping those within the tourism industry with the knowledge and understanding of how their business can meet these needs. 

Gaining a sustainability certification is a fantastic opportunity for Scottish tourism businesses to show visitors their commitment to environmental and sustainable practices.”

The following Scottish tourism establishments have received the Green Key certification and are now part of our global Network:  

Seven Marriot Hotels: 

• Courtyard by Marriott Aberdeen Airport 

• Delta Hotels by Marriott Aberdeen 

• Residence Inn by Marriott Aberdeen 

• Delta Hotels by Marriott Edinburgh 

• Residence Inn by Marriott Edinburgh 

• Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh 

• Glasgow Marriott Hotel  

  And:

• Voco Grand Central Hotel, an IHG Hotel, Glasgow   

• Glasgow Science Centre   

• Landal Brunston Castle, South Ayrshire 

© Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh

Tom Brock OBE, Chair of Keep Scotland Beautiful, the National Operator for the Green Key programme in Scotland, which is licensed globally by the Foundation for Environmental Education, said:  

“We congratulate all ten tourism establishments across Scotland receiving Green Key certification and look forward to supporting them to achieve continued environmental improvements, that can also result in financial savings.  

We have a highly skilled team of staff available to assist Green Key applicants with both technical support and advice and encourage you to get in touch today to start your sustainability journey.” 

Finn Bolding Thomsen, International Green Key Director at Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) added: 

“We are delighted to recognise ten establishments across Scotland as becoming Green Key certified and congratulate their efforts to foster a more sustainable future.” 

---

Respect for our planet and luxury hand in hand at STORY Rabat

As first establishment in Morocco to receive the Green Key certification in 2023, STORY Rabat leads the way for sustainability in the luxury industry. 

© STORY Rabat

STORY Rabat is a luxury boutique hotel located in the Ambassadors district in Rabat, Morocco. Opened in 2014 and previously known as Villa Diyafa, the hotel pays homage to its namesake by blending contemporary Moroccan architecture with Andalusian touches for an exquisite experience of discreet and genuine luxury. Served by thoughtful interiors and spacious accommodations, the hotel offers those looking for authentic Moroccan hospitality the chance to relax and fully embrace their stay at this truly distinctive hotel. STORY Rabat’s leisure facilities include a traditional Moroccan spa and hammam, a state-of-the-art gym and a 25-meter swimming pool surrounded by sculpted gardens, water features and a hot tub. It's the perfect place to host small corporate meetings, retreats, and eclectic events in a culturally rich setting. STORY Rabat has been elected "BEST LUXURY BOUTIQUE HOTEL" in Morocco for the year 2020 & 2022 by the Luxury Lifestyle Award in New York and “BEST BOUTIQUE HOTEL NORTH AFRICA” by Global Brands Magazine in 2022! 

This past January, STORY Rabat joined the ranks of luxury hotels dedicated to sustainability by being the first establishment in Morocco to receive Green Key certification. STORY Rabat has implemented several initiatives to conserve energy, save water, and promote the reuse, reduction and recycling of plastic and paper waste. Their approach, firmly supported from the headquarters at STORY Hospitality, is one of continuous training and education of both hotel staff and guests around the topic of sustainability, and the daily management and care of resources.  In line with this, STORY Hospitality is supporting each and every of their managed hotels to be Green Key certified.  

This mindful and holistic approach to sustainability, says Green Key International Director, Finn Bolding Thomsen, is what sets Green Key certified establishments apart.  

Olivier de Kermel, STORY Rabat’s General Manager says:

“Obtaining the Green Key International Label for our hotel is a pride. This is the recognition of our continuous approach for years for a sound management of each resource, promoting local resources and paying daily attention to them. Respect for the planet is not antinomic to the luxury and comfort we wish for each of our guests, it’s also a new way of thinking. In the luxury industry the new leader must be a leader in the Sustainability industry as well. All the STORY Rabat team is very proud to be the first hotel in Morocco in obtaining the GK International Label for 2023. I wish we can be an inspiration to many more to come in the Kingdom of Morocco, so that together we can create a better world.” 

© STORY Rabat

You can read more about STORY Rabat here.

HUONE Copenhagen receives a Green Key certificate

HUONE Copenhagen, the most creative event and meeting venue in Copenhagen, has now joined the Green Key network of certified establishments. HUONE Copenhagen is part of the HUONE group, which operates in 3 different countries, Finland, Singapore and Denmark.

(Image: Strand Room in HUONE Copenhagen, which is one of the newly certified Green Key establishments in Denmark.)

HUONE offers creative spaces for business meetings and events and caters to business guests from all over the world. Originally from Finland, the group has a strong focus on people, culture and the environment the venue is part of, hence in recent years, it has taken even more significant steps towards hosting sustainable events.

Opened its doors in the autumn of 2019, HUONE Copenhagen transformed the old SAS airplane hangar into 20 fantastic full-service meeting and event rooms–aims to become the “Business Hub of Copenhagen.” It’s designed to provide a space and full-service needed  for collaboration and innovation.

HUONE Copenhagen is the first out of the four HUONE units becoming the Green Key certified conference facility. On the importance of receiving the Green Key certificate, Louise Adolph, the CEO of HUONE Copenhagen explains:

"[…] As a new player in Copenhagen business meeting and event sector, we strive for excellence in everything we do. It has always been our priority to do the best we can in order to promote sustainability in the event industry. I am truly proud of our first Green Key certification, especially after a long delay with the pandemic.

 Following the Green Key criteria has allowed us to review our operational procedures and encouraged us to communicate about the topic more in depth with the whole team. We were also able to come up with many initiatives to integrate our guests and customers for raising awareness on the importance of integrating environmental and social factors into operations. "[…]

(Image: Evon Blomstedt, speaking at HUONE Copenhagen HUONE & Friends event)

Evon Blomstedt, the founder of HUONE, also shared the excitement of the news:

“HUONE Copenhagen is our newest and proudest HUONE unit. It is the essence of our experience of hosting almost 20k meetings, rightly so, for the No.1 meeting city in the Nordics.

Although we are still a small player compared to big hotels, we have been striving to do our part for a more sustainable meeting industry such as excluding beef from daily menus and paying extra attention to our communication. I’m very excited to see HUONE Copenhagen officially join Green Key certified conference facilities and being part of the city’s effort of becoming the front runner in hosting green meetings, conferences and events ”

HUONE Copenhagen’s effort towards more sustainable events focuses on the environmental impact of the services it provides as well as the social and economic commitment for the local community.

As for the environmental commitment, HUONE Copenhagen is located in a facility that aims to be one of Copenhagen’s most sustainable buildings with solar panels, waste sorting/recycling and district heating and cooling. Water and energy consumption are monthly monitored to control and create an action plan for future improvement. Waste management effort is in place for recycling, communication with guests, no single-use tableware and more. Moreover, the venue has focused on the actions to reduce carbon footprint with procurement/menu design, for instance, ‘No Beef Policy.’ 

Finally, as for the social and economic commitment, HUONE’s creative DNA is founded on a strong belief in the individual’s strengths and personality. The company has a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion as well as paying attention to the well-being of employees and creating a safe work atmosphere for the team.

 Click here, to read more about the sustainable events at HUONE Copenhagen.

A holistic approach to sustainability at "The Hotel. Brussels"

The Sustainability Manager at “The Hotel. Brussels” explains that hotels must have a holistic approach to be truly sustainable.

In order to be truly sustainable, hotel properties need to take a balanced and holistic approach, says Abdel Jabbar, Facility and Sustainability Manager at The Hotel. Brussels.

Although protecting the environment is a critical part of upscale venue The Hotel. Brussels’ sustainability efforts, it’s only part of the picture.

To me, being sustainable is about every action, every process, every department,” says Abdel Jabbar, The Hotel’s Facility and Sustainability Manager and real estate company Pandox’s Green Hero for 2020. “It’s about taking a broader view – for example, ensuring the partners we choose to work with share our outlook, and scrutinising our social impact, too.”

At The Hotel. Brussels, Abdel has overseen many developments to improve the property’s sustainability rating. One significant initiative is that 100% of the property’s energy is now generated by offshore wind turbines, as well as the installation of a cogeneration system to convert gas into sustainable heat and electricity.

Abdel’s team has also reduced water use, using smart pumps on circuits to adapt supply according to the hotel’s occupancy rate, and recycling waste water from air conditioning units to use in toilets. One of The Hotel’s most recent eco initiatives has seen the shower heads replaced in hotel bedrooms for a more sustainable model which uses only 9 litres of water per minute.

The property also benefits from a smart building digital tool which illustrates energy use in real time. Constant monitoring is a key part of their sustainability drive, with staff able to act quickly in the case of a leak or a system fault. 

The Hotel. Brussels has built its sustainability initiative on the principles of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the European Green Deal, and is committed to making a real, positive impact for the benefit of the planet. And their aims are ambitious: along with a goal to cut water use by 20% by 2023, it also intends to reduce gas use by 25%, electricity consumption by 35% and its overall CO2 footprint by 20% by the same deadline. Impressively, the property is already 85% of the way to achieving these goals. The Hotel. Brussels was awarded the Green Key certification in 2019, and is on course to be certified by BREEAM in 2022. 

Taking action to combat social inequality is also part of The Hotel’s sustainability mission. “For example, we choose to partner with companies like Grohe, for example, who donate €1 to Unicef for every shower head we purchase to improve access to water for children in the developing world,” Abdel explains.

Recently, The Hotel donated its old shower heads and bed linen to a community group promoting circular innovation. It has also restored computer hardware and donated it to a group of young people in training, who have access to the property’s meeting rooms free of charge.

“As The Hotel’s sustainability mission puts it, we want our planet here to stay,” says Abdel. “And we all have a role to play in safeguarding it.”

More information about The Hotel. Brussels can be found here: https://www.thehotel-brussels.be/.

Beirholm’s bed linen became finalist in the German Sustainability Award

Green Key’s partner, Beirholm, has been a finalist in the Design Category in the prestigious German Sustainability Award with its innovative and sustainable bed linen for the hotel market.

In Beirholm’s first participation in the German Sustainability Award in 2021, the company managed to be selected as a nominee, and then advance as a finalist. Although Beirholm did not win the final award, it showed that their innovative technology is among some of the most sustainable solutions currently on the market.

The sustainable ben linen is called BeirTex^® Q784 and offers revolutionary durability, a light-weight construction, and a sustainable raw materials blend of Fairtrade organic cotton, virgin polyester and 20 recycled PET bottles. Consequently, this bed linen reduces CO2-equivalent emissions by up to more than 70% over its entire lifecycle compared to the average hotel bed linen in the industry.

With its Green Button, Oeko-Tex^® Made in Green, and Fairtrade certifications, the supply chain lives up to some of the strictest environmental and social standards - from the cotton farmer and all the way to the finished bed linen.

It is woven in an exclusive, breathable, and soft satin binding quality, which is available in 13 unique designs enabling the laundry partners to cover individual hotel needs while minimizing stop-and-go processing. In addition, the BeirTex^® Q784 bed linen is designed to be upcycle-ready at the end of its usable life enabling it to be turned into fashionable tote bags for shopping purposes.

In the evaluation of Beirholm’s BeirTex^® Q784 hotel bed linen, the Jury of the German Sustainability Award concluded that “… Beirholm not only offers an exceptionally high-quality and modern-looking product that meets even the highest demands, but also assumes a high degree of social and ecological responsibility by adhering to high standards along the entire value chain.”

Beirholm has produced a short movie explaining the sustainable bed linen for the hotel industry: 

Andreas Beirholm, Business Development Manager at Beirholm, says:

“To be recognized for the hard work and extensive research and development of the next generation of BeirTex^® bed linen textiles and have it acknowledged as a holistically sustainable solution by Germany’s most prestigious sustainability award is nothing less than an exceptional achievement. It gives us a unique opportunity to provide our partners with sustainable performance textiles that can further advance the sustainable agenda in the hotel industry.”

The German Sustainability Award is one of the most coveted awards of its kind. According to a recent study by the University of Hohenheim on the importance of sustainability and environmental competitions in Germany, the German Sustainability Award is both the best-known and most coveted award in this field (ranking first in each case).

Green Key signs cooperation agreement with Iceland‘s largest hotel chain

Green Key Iceland has signed an agreement with Islandshotel hf. with the aim that all 18 hotels join Green Key.

Attending the signing, from left to right: Anton Birkir Sigfússon from Klappir Green Solutions, Stefán Karl Snorrason, Erna Dís Ingólfsdóttir, Guðlaugur Sæmundsson from Íslandshótel and Gunnar Á. Gunnarsson from Vottunarstofan Tún. Photo: Islandshotel

At a signing ceremony on 19 January 2022, Íslandshótel hf and Green Key Iceland signed a cooperation agreement to apply for the Green Key in all of their hotels.  

Islandshotel hf. (www.islandshotel.is , translates to ”Iceland‘s hotel“) is Iceland‘s largest hotel chain with 18 hotels and close to 2000 rooms located all around Iceland, most under the name ”Fosshotel“.

Erna Dís Ingólfsdóttir, head of Islandshotel’s HR and quality department, says: “it’s a pleasure signing the agreement with Green Key since responsible tourism is the foundation of Islandshotel’s policies and we wish to lead the promotion of sustainable tourism in Iceland, that is our responsibility”.

This agreement will transform the national availability of sustainably awarded accommodations by making it a choice all around Iceland for the very first time.

Islandshotel hf.‘s CPO, Guðlaugur Sæmundsson says: “The Green Key is an excellent continuation of the work we started a decade ago when our Grand Hotel Reykjavik received the Nordic Swan, in 2012. It is my belief that the Green Key award will make our hotel chain an even better and more desirable choice for our guests.”

Islandshotel hf. is 30 years old this year and has for the past ten years been a pioneer in sustainability and environmental matters in the Icelandic hospitality sector.

Green Key National Operator, Mr Ragnar Thórdarson, says: “We are happy to be entering into this agreement with Islandshotel hf., and we believe that their confidence in Green Key can be a major step forward for the entire hospitality sector in Iceland with regards to responsible and sustainable tourism.”

Denmark's largest hotel chain Small Danish Hotels has entered into an agreement with Green Key

Currently 14 hotels from the Small Danish Hotels group have been awarded with Green Key, and more hotels are joining the programme.

Hotel Vejlefjord

In December 2021, two Small Danish Hotels hotels - Fuglsangcentret and Hotel Vejlefjord - received the Green Key at the latest hotels in the Chain joining the programme.

Fuglsangcentret receives the Green Key

Fuglsangcentret is located in the city of Fredericia, and owned by the Danish Society for the Blind. The establishment is designed for the blind to navigate the building using sounds such as, running water and canaries.

The establishment has earned the Green Key after an application process with great commitment. It is important for Fuglsangcentret to take care of their surroundings and take the environment into account.

The hotel has established solar cells on the roof, completely phased out all weed control and increased the amount of organic food to over 30%. In connection with the renovation of rooms, all light bulbs were changed to LED.

Fuglsangcentret

Green Key to Hotel Vejlefjord

The iconic Hotel Vejlefjord is located outside the city of Vejle. When the establishment was built in 1901, fresh air and exercise were important elements in the treatment of tuberculosis patients, and therefore the large park was laid out in a romantic landscape style with bridges, streams and lakes in the strongly hilly landscape right down to Vejle Fjord. The green areas now benefit the hotel's guests.

The staff at the hotel has been at the forefront with help and ideas when the hotel applied for the Green Key. The National Jury deciding on the award found that the hotel's current efforts and plans for future activities have made it eligible for this certification.

Sustainability and Green Key Workshops in 2022

At the beginning of 2022, Small Danish Hotels and Green Key have arranged a number of workshops for hotels in the chain. The intention is to support the hotels moving forward with the sustainable work so that more hotels of the chain can join Green Key.

At the upcoming workshops, the hotels' knowledge about sustainability and Green Key will be strengthened. At the same time, the aim is to build cooperation and network between the hotels so that they continue to inspire each other and work together on sustainability after achieving Green Key.

The themes include: Workshop 1 - Save money on energy, water, and environmental management. Workshop 2 - Sustainable procurement and waste management. Workshop 3 - The good meal and preventing food waste. Workshop 4 - Sustainability and collaborate with the local area

For more information, please visit: Hotel in Denmark | hotel deals and offers | Small Danish Hotels.

Net Zero Methodology for Hotels

The Net Zero Methodology for Hotels aims to define net zero for the broader benefit of the hotel industry as well as travel and tourism.

Net zero is becoming a real business need and trend, championed by the investor community and embraced by companies and governments around the world.

The methodology has been developed to support hotels and the wider hotel industry as they seek to make net zero commitments and take action against them. It sets out a recommended approach which is relevant for hotel companies of any size but can be adapted as necessary to align with specific requirements of individual companies.

The methodology was developed in a joint initiative between Greenview, Tourism Declares, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), supported by an advisory group of experts from hotel companies around the world, and input from a wide range of stakeholders. It was launched as part of the Glasgow Declaration at COP 26 in Glasgow. This First Edition will be reviewed and updated as the net zero landscape evolves.

The Methodology is supported by a Summary and Practical Guide to Getting Started.

Net Zero Methodology for Hotels (external link)

Net Zero Methodology for Hotels - Summary (external link)

Net Zero Methodology for Hotels - Practical Guide to Getting Started (external link)

Source: Greenview

Top players in the hotel industry build inclusive sustainability framework accessible for all hotels

NH Hotel Group, Radisson Hotel Group and other leading groups with 25,000 hotels in total, are launching an initiative to set common definition of hotel sustainability to drive responsible travel and tourism.

In a unique cooperation between the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA) and leading hotel companies, in consultation with distribution partners and key tourism and travel stakeholders, the hotel industry celebrates a responsible return to business with an initiative to raise the global basic level of hotel sustainability in a clear and transparent manner for all travellers and stakeholders.

The Basic Sustainability framework will critically deliver on a common starting point for hotel sustainability that is accessible to all hotel actors worldwide– whether they are part of large international group or independent hotels. Providing this common understanding for all hotels worldwide with actions that have a positive impact on planet and people will drive real change by stimulating the demand for responsible travel.

The Basic Sustainability framework reinforces and works in complement to SHA’s Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality, which aims to enable every hotel to improve their impact, whatever their starting point on their sustainability journey, and will encompass four clear stages and practical tools that guide the industry towards a regenerative impact on our planet.

In the coming months, the hotel groups having joined in this initiative, will work in close alignment with the WTTC, SHA and key stakeholders, on finalizing the essential sustainability actions demonstrating positive impact, and collaborate to share tools and best practices with each other and the wider industry to ensure all hotels start on a pathway towards the targets of the COP 21 Paris Accord.

The sustainability basic framework is aligned with main aspirations such as the UNWTO Glasgow Declaration and the UN SDG’s.

Current partner groups include leading hotel companies such as Accor, Barceló Hotel Group, Huazhu including their affiliate Deutsche Hospitality, Indian Hotels Company Limited; Jin Jiang International (Holdings) Co., Ltd. including their affiliates Jin Jiang Hotels, Louvre Hotels Group and Radisson Hotel Group; Meliá Hotels International, and Minor Hotels including NH Hotel Group.

The Basic Sustainability framework has now entered the development phase and will be launched in March 2022.