the green hotel certification consultant’s glossary

Proactive measures aimed at minimizing the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases associated with the operation of a hotel or resort. These often involve the adoption of energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy sources, waste reduction practices, and sustainable transportation options, all aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of the hospitality business to mitigate its impact on climate change. This may involve asking certain behavior changes by the hotel guests, even corporate clients too!

In hotel development the design stage is when countless crucial decisions are made around orientation, materials, ventilation, layout and so on that will have a huge impact on the hotel’s environment footprint. Bringing in the sustainability consultant for this phase is therefore crucial to lower costs in the operational phase and ensure climate action is embedded into the development process as early on as possible.

DEI efforts in green hotel standards emphasize fostering diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces, promoting fair treatment, representation, and opportunities for all employees.

Employee engagement in a sustainability plan means establishing an open dialogue with staff, giving them ample space to provide feedback on their role, colleagues and superiors, as well as encouraging them to engage in sustainability initiatives such as participating in the Green Team.

Energy efficiency in sustainable hotels focuses on minimizing energy consumption through measures like efficient HVAC systems, lighting, and renewable energy sources to reduce carbon emissions. This is in the interests of contributing to a more sustainable future for the industry as a whole.

Energy management for sustainable hotels involves the systematic monitoring, optimization, and reduction of energy consumption to minimize environmental impact and operational costs. It encompasses strategies like energy-efficient lighting, HVAC systems, renewable energy adoption, and guest engagement to create eco-friendly, cost-effective, and socially responsible hotel operations.

ESG refers to the evaluation of a hotel's performance in environmental, social, and governance aspects, encompassing sustainability, ethical practices, and responsible business operations.

Green hotel certification refers to the process by which hotels are evaluated and accredited based on their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, emphasizing sustainability and responsible business operations.

Aside from the Sustainability Champion, a cross-departmental Green Team is an essential component of successfully delivering any plan as it requires eyes and ears on the ground, it’s always going to be a team effort so finding enthusiastic employees prepared to contribute is key.

Greenwashing involves misleading claims or practices by hotels that falsely suggest environmentally friendly operations. Sustainable hotel certifications help prevent such misrepresentation by adding rigour and substance to claims of sustainability from a recognized third party.

Here we take this to refer to hotels, resorts as well as bars, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs. On this page however we are focused on hotels and resorts in particular.

Human rights in a sustainable hotel plan refers to ethical labor practices, fair treatment of employees, and adherence to international labor standards, ensuring the well-being of workers in the hotel industry.

Renewable energy sources like solar or wind power are encouraged in green hotel standards to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Supply chain sustainability assesses a hotel's efforts to source products and services responsibly, considering factors like fair labor practices, ethical sourcing, and minimizing environmental impact. For example locally sourced materials, eco friendly amenity products, seasonal food ingredients, and so on.

Most hotels undertaking a new sustainability effort will require some outside expertise to get them started, even if only for the first year or two until they are able to implement thier own internal teams and processes to take full control of the work themselves.

We start with a strategy for each sustainable hotel or resort, then implement a plan, refining as we go. This strategy may include third party certification, or not.

Sustainable tourism focuses on minimizing the negative impacts of tourism on local communities and environments, aligning with green hotel certification goals.

The triple bottom line concept assesses a hotel's performance based on three pillars: economic performance, social impact, and environmental impact, highlighting the broader impact of sustainability efforts.

Waste reduction strategies aim to minimize hotel waste through recycling programs, composting, and waste diversion, ultimately reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices.

Water conservation initiatives in green hotel standards involve measures to reduce water consumption, such as low-flow fixtures, water-efficient landscaping, and wastewater treatment. This can of course represent cost savings in the medium term too!