Sustainable development is defined as ‘development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. It stands on the interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars of economic prosperity, social development and environmental protection.
The recognition of this triumvirate has enabled the concept of development to undergo a paradigm shift from one solely based on economic growth.Environmental certification schemes make good business sense too, since they result in higher operational efficiencies and reduction of costs while reducing environmental impacts. Moreover, certifications that offer sustainability also have a community development component that results in enhanced shareholder value creation for the company.
The impetus for environmental certifications stems from Agenda 21 ï€ the blue print for sustainability ï€ signed at the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992, which linked environmental and economic progress. A few certifications in hospitality are: Audubon Green Leaf, ECOTEL, Green Globe, Green Key, Green Seal, Sustainable Tourism Eco-Certification Program (STEP) and LEED. The certification process usually involves a self evaluation followed by an on-site detailed audit.
The Mohonk Agreement signed in 2000, which recognises that tourism certification programmes need to be tailored to fit particular geographical regions and sectors of tourism, has a set of principles which forms the guiding framework for certifications in sustainable and ecotourism. Thus, there are many synergies like training, marketing, and certification criteria focusing on environment among others.
Validity period of the certifications differ, with Audubon Green Leaf being valid for three years while ECOTEL in its reincarnated form and Green Globe are valid for a year.Levels of certification are specific to each, depending on the scoring achieved during audit with scope for improvement from one level to the next. The rating method is specific to each certification with the levels varying from three (LEED, Green Seal) to four (Green Globe) to five (Audubon Green Leaf).
The criteria for auditing may differ in their width and depth. For instance, Audubon Green Leaf audits energy efficiency, pollution prevention, environmental management and resource conservation. ECOTEL audits environment commitment, solid waste management, energy efficiency, water management, employee education and community involvement. The areas covered under environment commitment include policy and plans; land use and landscaping; environmentally sensitive purchasing; air quality; supply chain; and chemical use. Water management includes managing both freshwater and waste water. The idea of reduce, reuse, and recycle is central to conservation of resources and waste management. Communications covering environmental awareness of guest/community have been inbuilt into the globes.
The Green Globe covers air quality, cleaning, communication, community, corporate social responsibility, conservation, cultural, education, emissions, energy, facility, hazard, policy, purchasing, recycle, reduce, reuse, waste, and water, while Green Key audits environmental management (environmental policy, specific goals, and action plans); communication and training (involvement of staff, guests, and suppliers in the environmental work); and technical criteria (efficiency in energy and water consumption, waste separation, use of chemicals and other things).
Green Seal audits waste minimisation, reuse and recycling; energy efficiency, conservation and management; management of fresh water resources; waste water management; hazardous substances; and environmentally sensitive purchasing.
LEED provides certification in relation to the design, building or retro-fitting of a property to improve energy performance, conservation of water and other resources, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and enhance indoor environmental quality.
Just as one size does not fit all, similarly, different certifications have different methodologies, geographic relevance, marketing and the best fit has to be determined between a prospective hotel’s needs and those provided by a certification.
Avantika V Singh is editor with HVS Delhi and Associate with ECOTEL. For more information on HVS please contact Manav Thadani, managing director, on mthadani@hvs.com or visit www.hvs.com
