Green Key is a leading standard of excellence in the field of sustainable tourism, guiding tourism establishments to do their part in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN. In our new feature series we will present each of the 17 SDGs and explain their connection to Green Key.
In 2015, the UN member states adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to guide governments, the private sector and civil society in transforming our world into safer, fairer and more livable place.
Sustainability lies at the heart of Green Key, which is why the programme inherently contributes to all of the 17 goals. Today, we talk about Goal 6: “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”
Tourism can be a major factor in the water consumption of a region and even of a whole country. Water is used in the bathrooms of tourism accommodations, in the kitchens, for swimming pools and spa areas, for washing and cleaning and for irrigating gardens and parks. To lower the water footprint of tourism establishments, it is both important to use latest water saving technologies and solutions, as well as to educate the staff and guests about how to save water.
How does Green Key help to achieve Goal 6?
Many of Green Key’s criteria deal with the reduction of the consumption of water and the protection of water-related ecosystems as well as freshwater sources:
- Green Key Key has a whole category of criteria dealing with practices that reduce the consumption of water (see category 4 in our criteria documents). These include adjusting the water flow in taps and showers, using devices with a lower water consumption and regularly checking for leaks.
