What is the Green Key ecolabel?

The Green Key ecolabel is a standard of excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. Green Key has been awarded to 3,100 establishments in 57 countries making it one of the largest international tourism ecolabels for tourism accommodation. Establishments with the Green Key award can be recognised by having this logo:

What does the Green Key ecolabel mean?

The Green Key ecolabel means that awarded establishments adhere to strict criteria as stipulated by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). These criteria ensure that sustainability is integrated at a very high level in the management and operation of the awarded tourism establishment. The Green Key ecolabel also ensures verification of the sustainability performance by means of a third-party entity to prevent so-called green washing. All awarded establishments receive frequent on-site audits and have to renew their award every year.

How is the Green Key ecolabel monitored?

Establishments with a Green Key certification are closely monitored to ensure that the awarded establishments are adhering to the label’s strict sustainability standards. In addition, the establishments are required to continually improve their performance in line with the Green Key criteria. Prior to being awarded for the first time, an on-site audit of the applicant establishment is carried out. This audit is then conducted again in year two, and thereafter every third year. In years with no on-site audits, the decision to award is based on an evaluation of certain documents.

What are the benefits of joining Green Key Kenya?

By deciding to join Green Key Kenya, your business commits to operating in a more sustainable and efficient way. Green Key Kenya gives you advice on how to monitor and reduce the consumption of resources and helps you to motivate your staff as well as your guests to act more responsibly. In the end, saving resources means saving money!

You would be surprised by just how many best practices are out there that reduce the environmental impact of your establishment without compromising the quality of the guest experience. With over 20 years of experience, Green Key has an extensive knowledge base of best practice which is shared within the network of awarded establishments.

Green Key Kenya also increases the visibility of its awarded sites. Once awarded, your establishment will be displayed on the international GreenKey Map.  Green Key International also cooperates with several Online Travel Agencies  that will add your Green Key award to your listing on their website (providing that your establishment is already included in the portfolio of the Online Travel Agency). We are also happy to promote your establishment by publishing your best practice stories in our news features on our website and social media.

More and more consumers expect that the products and services they choose are environmentally friendly and socially responsible. The Green Key ecolabel is considered a trustworthy symbol for consumers that your establishment meets their expectations.

Why Green Key Kenya?

  • Our criteria ensure that the national context and legislation are taken into account.
  • With over 3,100 awarded sites in 57 countries, Green Key has aninternational reputation which can be more easily recognised by your costumers than other ecolabels.
  • Green Key is recognised by theWorld Tourism Organization and the United Nations Development Programme
  • Green Key is a trustworthy and transparent ecolabel ensuring that all awarded sites receive regular on-site audits and are third-party verified.

Who can apply for a Green Key ecolabel?

All hotels, hostels, small accommodations, campsites, holiday parks, conference centres, restaurants and tourist attractions in Kenya can apply for the Green Key ecolabel. Contact Green Key Kenya for a complete list of requirements in order to apply for a Green Key award.

How does the certification process work?

In order to be awarded, a Green Key Kenya applicant has to go through an application process consisting of four parts:

  1. Pre-application assessment and support
  2. Sending the application documents
  3. Receiving the on-site audit
  4. Third-party decision about  the award
  5. Annual renewal of the award

A more detailed description of how the application process works can be found here. The Green Key award is valid for 12 months and must consequently be renewed annually.

Who should I send my application to?

The application should be sent to Green Key Kenya. Our contact details can be found here.

What are the Green Key criteria?

The Green Key ecolabel is built around a set of highly advanced environmental criteria focusing on 13 different categories.

These criteria have been developed for six categories of tourism establishments: hotels and hostels, campsites and holiday parks, small accommodations, conference centres, attractions and restaurants.

How long does it take to be Green Key certified?

The duration of the application process varies from establishment to establishment, depending on the existing levels of sustainability. The completion of the application form, schedule for the on-site audit and follow-up, as well as the third-party decision process, are all factors that have an impact on the length of the application process.

What does it cost to get certified?

The fee for the Green Key Kenya ecolabel depends on the size and type of your establishment. Please find details of Membership Fees below

Green Key Kenya – Membership Costs 2020

Who is the entity behind Green Key Kenya?

Green Key Kenya is managed by the Kenya Organisation for Environmental Education (KOEE). KOEE is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation focusing on education, training and consultancy for Sustainable Development. Green Key is managed internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). FEE is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation promoting sustainable development through environmental education. Today, FEE member organisations are administering the Green Key programme in more than 50 countries worldwide.