North American hotel brands continue moving toward more sustainability
certification to strengthen their commitment to the environment.
With that in mind, the American
Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the Hotel Association of Canada
(HAC) announced that Green Key Global, a leading sustainability certification
body for hotels, is now jointly operated by the associations in the U.S. and
Canada.
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 committed
to sustainability through their involvement with the third-party
certification program.
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 must 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.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Green Key Global to
advance our sustainability efforts,” said Denise Naguib, Marriott International
Global Vice President of Sustainability and Supplier Diversity. “Marriott
International and Green Key Global’s agreement will help support our properties
in the U.S. and Canada as they pursue a third-party sustainability
certification that demonstrates dedication to environmental stewardship.”
The AHLA and HAC partnership is crucial for the industry, as
sustainability is increasingly shaping the behavior of leisure, business and
group travelers. 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 collaborative 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 are 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,” said
AHLA Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey. “This is a vital time for
hoteliers, and AHLA is proud to be partnering with HAC to meet the moment.”
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