OTTAWA — Green Key Global, the sustainability certification body for hotels, is now jointly operated by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) in the U.S. and Canada.
A roster of hotel companies across the continent, including Accor, Best Western, Choice Hotels, Crescent Hotels & Resorts, Highgate, Hyatt, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International and more, continue to lead the way as some of Green Key Global’s partners.
HAC created Green Key Global in 1994 to certify hotels’ environmental-sustainability policies and processes, and its certification criteria are aligned with all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Hotels complete a robust assessment and audit process to measure their performance in areas such as energy and water conservation, land use, hazardous and solid waste management, indoor air quality and more.
The AHLA and HAC partnership is crucial for the industry, as sustainability is increasingly shaping the behaviour of leisure, business and group travellers. Green Key Global programming is designed to give credibility to the sustainability initiatives properties are already undertaking, while equipping them with a plan for continued improvement.
The partnership builds on AHLA’s Responsible Stay initiative, which underscores AHLA member companies’ long-standing and growing commitment to energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction and responsible sourcing.
“We’re excited to see the momentum with the Green Key Global platform as we enter this partnership with HAC. This is an opportunity for AHLA to continue to do what we do best, supporting and educating our members on key factors influencing their business day in and day out,” says Kevin Carey, interim president and CEO, AHLA. “This is a vital time for hoteliers, and AHLA is proud to be partnering with HAC to meet the moment.”
“This is an important milestone as we’re not only expanding the footprint of the Green Key Global brand, but also the opportunity for the industry to lead the way towards monumental shift and environmental impact, with a best-in-class program that’s affordable, measurable and accessible for all hotels,” says Susie Grynol, president and CEO, HAC.
