AHLA and HAC announce joint operation of Green Key Global in 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 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 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,” says 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 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.

“This is an important milestone,” says Susie Grynol, president & CEO of the Hotel Association of Canada, “as we are 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 is affordable, measurable and accessible for all hotels.”