Green Key allows Welsh businesses to celebrate the positive environmental changes they are making and to market themselves to an audience that is becoming more and more aware of their environmental responsibility.
Green Key has been awarded to more than 3,200 tourism providers across 65 countries worldwide and is open to businesses across the sector. From boutique hotels with fine dining, to large hotels and event venues with a capacity to host thousands, from B&Bs to campsites and attractions, Green Key offers an environmentally sustainable choice when planning holidays, excursions, or business trips.
Green Key Wales was launched in April 2015 and offers a growing collection of the country’s most environmentally sustainable destinations, ensuring that wherever you are in Wales, you can make the best choice for the environment, as well as discovering some of the finest hospitality providers in the country.
Green Key is owned by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and run in Wales by Keep Wales Tidy. We also manage the hugely successful Blue Flag and Green Key environmental standards awards on behalf of FEE in Wales.
Green Key is an eco-accreditation which guides businesses towards the best environmental choices to suit their individual business needs.
Travellers and tourists are increasingly aware of the importance of supporting socially responsible and environmentally sustainable businesses. In a 2020 survey by Booking.com (conducted across 22 global markets with 1,000 participants per market), 82% of travellers said that they find sustainability an important topic, but only 50% agree that there is enough choice when it comes to places to stay with sustainable credentials.
More and more hospitality providers across the world are making changes within their business to appeal to this emerging market as well as to make significant commercial savings. It is exciting to see a growing number of Welsh businesses leading the way in showcasing how they can meet the needs of these new visitors. The more businesses that join the movement, the more of an impact we can have … we need you.
As an added bonus, we can show you how your business can make significant financial savings through initiating sustainable behaviours with the Green Key team on hand to guide you through how to implement these changes - whatever the size of your business. As a respected eco-label across 65 countries worldwide, Green Key offers you a presence within the international hospitality market.
Find out who is eligible to apply for the Green Key award.
A simple step-by-step process to apply for a Green Key award
Applying is easy. You can register your interest by emailing the team at greenkey@keepwalestidy.cymru. They will be in touch and take you through the application form which covers various aspects of your business; from energy, waste and water, to guest and staff involvement.
As part of your application, you’ll be asked to provide evidence of your environmental activities and upload some supporting documents. Don’t worry though, we don’t ask for a lot and the team is always on hand to help.
Once your application form has been submitted, a Green Key assessor will be in touch to arrange a convenient date and time to visit your business. During their site visit, your assessor will go through your application, explore guest and staff areas, and ask to see any relevant documentation.
If there are any areas that the assessor feels need improvement, then the Green Key team will work with you to help achieve accreditation.
All applications are then sent to a national jury made up of independent, industry professionals, who ensure that Green Key Wales is working to international standards.
As a charity, Keep Wales Tidy has worked hard to ensure Green Key is accessible to all tourism providers. With this in mind, the investment levels vary depending on the size of your business. Investment levels start at just £250 and is paid as a part of the application process, and then on an annual basis following an updated application). If you would like to talk to one of the Green Key team about the cost for your business, please email greenkey@keepwalestidy.cymru for more information
Green Key offers an opportunity to make great commercial savings. Our team will provide expert advice and support to help you make the right environmental choices, leading to lower bills without compromising your guest experience. You’ll have access to free promotional materials, allowing you to display the internationally recognised Green Key logo at your business and online Your business will be promoted at industry trade shows and events attended by Green Key Wales and Green Key International.
