Green Key
International Eco‐label for hotels and tourism facilities

Green Key
Unlocking sustainability in the hospitality industry

Green Key establishments

The Green Key award is the leading standard for excellence in the field ofenvironmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism
industry. Green Key is eligible for hotels, hostels, small accommodations,campsites, holiday parks, conference centres, restaurants and attractions.

The prestigious eco‐label represents a commitment by establishmentsthat their businesses will adhere to the strict Green Key criteria set by
the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and recognised by
Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Green Key is awarded for one year ata time following a standardised procedure with application, audits andthird‐party verification of the award.
Green Key originated in Denmark in 1994, and in 2002 it became aprogramme managed by FEE and its national member organisations.

Our Partners

If you want to have the complete list of all Green Key awarded sites please check the following
link https://www.greenkey.global/green‐key‐sites

Blue Flag
Green Key Application Procedure
Each Green Key applicant has to demonstrate compliance with ourprogramme criteria which is subsequently third party verified.

Application. The applicant has to complete the application form andGreen Key Criteria
Establishments awarded with the Green Key certification meet a setof high standard environmental requirements. Currently a set of 13
categories and 130 criteria have been developed and applied asbaseline criteria for all countries.

provide various documentation as proof of compliance with thecriteria.

Audit. An on‐site audit is conducted in years one and two andthereafter every third year. The on‐site audits consists of document
verification and visual inspection. In alternate years, off‐sites audits(documents verification) are done.
www.blueflag.global

www.leaf.global

Decision making. The decision is always done by a third party
entity, either an independent auditor or by a Jury.
GreenKey

Global Forest FundAward. The successful applicant receives our Green Key Plaque andCertificate.

Renewal. The Green Key Award is valid for one year and has to be
renewed annually thereafter.

www.greenkey.global

FEE manages a Global Forest Fund (GFF) that educates andprovides resources for actions to raise trees to mitigate travel
related carbon emission. All travel of FEE members iscompensated and the fund encourages other stakeholders tocome together for compensating their travel carbon footprint.

FOUNDATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Why Joining Green Key?
High quality eco‐label

High standards regarding transparency, on‐site audits and third‐
party verification

Foundation for Environmental
Education

With the participation of national experts

With members in 77 countries we are the world’s largest environmental
education organisation. We believe in the power of change and that thebest gift we can give to future generations, the most valuable legacy wecan leave behind us, is a world full of educated and environmentallyconscious people equipped to live a more sustainable life.

A relatively low‐cost eco‐label
Due to its non‐profit nature

info@fee.global
www.fee.global

Global widespread eco‐label

Multi‐stakeholder programme
Developed by the hospitality industry and managed byindependent NGOs

A dialogue‐based programmePersonal support from application and award and with access to abest practice database.

Internationally recognition
By UN organisations and Global Sustainable Tourism Council
If you are interested in knowing more about the Green Key programme,
please do not hesitate to contact us directly.

“We have only had the Green Key programme forfour years. And yet, when I visit Finnish hotels I can
see that they have taken Green Key to their hearts.
The hotels are really proud of talking about theiractions and efforts and are also really active incommunicating their Green Key activities”.
Marketta Viljasaari
Green Key Finland National Operator

Finn Bolding Thomsen
International Green Key Director
finn@fee.global+45 61248082

Isabel Lissner
International Green Key Coordinator
Isabel@fee.global+45 6124 8088