In a bid to bolster sustainable tourism, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) have announced a formal partnership to operate the Green Key Global sustainability certification program in the U.S. and Canada, effective April 1.
HAC established Green Key Global in 1994, aiming to certify hotels’ environmental sustainability policies and processes, with certification criteria aligned with all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The program assesses hotels worldwide, measuring their performance in areas such as energy and water conservation, land use, hazardous and solid waste management, and air quality.
The AHLA-HAC partnership is a significant step for the industry, responding to the increasing influence of sustainability on leisure, business, and group travelers. It builds on AHLA’s Responsible Stay initiative, highlighting member companies’ commitment to energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing.
Chip Rogers, AHLA President & CEO, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “Green Key Global provides important third-party validation for hotels’ sustainability efforts, and it gives sustainability-minded travelers the information they need to choose the lodging options that are right for them.”
Susie Grynol, HAC President & CEO, expressed pride in hotels’ commitments to the program, adding, “Establishing a Green Key Global North American standard of sustainability allows more properties to elevate their leadership in this space, and through this partnership, we believe we can make sustainability accessible for all hotels.”
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