Benefits of Green Key

High-quality eco-label with robust standards

Just like in your establishment, quality comes first in the Green Key programme. In eco-labelling, quality is defined by the transparency of the programme, regular on-site audits conducted by well-trained Green Key auditors and third-party verification.
Green Key fulfils all of these requirements.

Both the Green Key criteria and award process are available here, meaning that everyone can understand how and why an establishment has been awarded.

Non-profit driven

Green Key is coordinated internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and managed in England by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

Both are non-governmental, non-profit organisations and share aims of environmental education through a variety of programmes.

As the Green Key programme is non-profit-making, the participation costs are comparably low.

Internationally recognised by high-profile entities

Our programme has been recognised by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) and UN Environment (UNEP), and supports tourism establishments in doing their part to achieve the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Green Key hotel criteria are also recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

Green Key also has international agreements with hotel chains including Radisson Hotel Group, BWH Group, NH Hotel Group, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and in the UK with Marriott International.

Well-proven framework

Going green and implementing sustainability across your establishment is not an easy task, and different businesses face different struggles when it comes to sustainability. Therefore, our programme offers support all the way through, from the application to the award.

Developed in 1994, Green Key already has 29 years of experience in the field of tourism eco-labelling, with an extensive knowledge base that is shared with applicants and awarded establishments.