REAL BENEFITS
Green Key certification brings along with it a lot more than a sign by the entrance. We offer the participants personal support and advice during the whole application process, and up-to-date information to facilitate your continuous development. Green Key sites become part of the international community that shares best practices, tips and experiences.
As a participant in the Green Key-program you get:
- SUPPORT for choosing and carrying out effective environmental actions
- ADVICE and TOOLS for communicating about sustainability to different target groups
- FOLLOW-UP METHODS and REPORTS on your environmental work
- INSPIRATION from the best practices of other Green Key sites
- MARKETING BENEFITS: many travel sites give eco-certified establishment more visibility
CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT
A Green Key certified establishment has been verified to be a forerunner of sustainability. The certificate is based on the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, and its requirements exceed the basic level set by laws and regulations. A certified establishment is committed to continuously increasing the positive social and economic impacts of its operations as well as minimising the environmental footprint.
Practical action is taken e.g. in the following fields:
- CONSERVING ENERGY AND WATER
- REDUCING, SORTING AND RECYCLING WASTE
- Committing to ECO-LABELLED DETERGENTS, PRINTING PAPER AND SOFT TISSUE PAPER in daily use
- Favouring SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED FOODSTUFFS and REDUCING FOOD WASTE
- Increasing the SUSTAINABILITY KNOW-HOW among staff, guests and other stakeholders
Five types of establishment
118
Hotels & Hostels
6
Small accommodation sites
30
Camping sites & holiday villages
23
Cafés & restaurants
7
Attractions
Watch the introductory video (in Finnish)
“Our sustainability policy forced us to move from theory to action. We were looking for a suitable environmental program and found Green Key best suited for a company our size.”
1. Registration (10 min)
- Fill in the registration form on our website.
- The form includes questions regarding basic information on the applicant company and the activities it offers.
2. Making the application (2-3 months)
- You will be sent log-in information to the applicant’s section of our website.
- Download the application form and attachment report that can be found on the applicant’s pages. Fill them in with the help of detailed explanatory notes and instructional videos available.
- If necessary, you may also make use of the personal consultation appointment that is available to all applicants.
- Book the audit and send the application and attachments to us.
3. The Audit (1 day)
- Participate in the audit.
- A Green Key establishment is audited on the first and second application year, thereafter every 3rd year.
- The purpose of the audit is to ensure that the establishment meets the Green Key criteria, as well as jointly plan the sustainability work, development and communication of the establishment.
- The program fee as well as the audit fee and costs will be charged after the audit.
- Additional information on the contents of the audit is available in this document (in Finnish).
4. The Jury Meeting (1 day)
- Before the jury meeting, send eventual additional information requested by the auditor.
- Pay the program and audit fees.
- The jury will review the application and the audit report in its meeting.
- You don’t have to participate in the meeting.
5. Certification (1 year)
- Once the jury has accepted the application and audit report, it will grant the establishment the Green Key certificate for 12 months. After that, you will have to repeat the process from step 2 onwards.
- After certification, you will be sent log-in information that grants you acces to the MEMBER’S PAGES that contain materials for sustainability communication as well as training of staff.
Welcome to the Green Key Program!
