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Find a Green Hotel

Photo: iStockphoto.com/Beata Becla
Discover eco-sensitive resorts, hotels or motels in North America
Sue Kupka

The Green Key Eco-Rating Program is a graduated rating system designed to recognize hotels, motels, and resorts that are committed to improving their fiscal and environmental performance.

Based on the results of a comprehensive environmental audit, hoteliers are awarded a 1-5 Green Key rating and given guidance on how to "unlock" opportunities to reduce operating costs and environmental impacts through reduced utility consumption, employee training, and supply chain management.

The Green Key Eco-Rating Program is a voluntary program, although hoteliers are encouraged to participate, not only for the health of the planet but also for the ‘health’ of their business. Energy retrofits do lead to significant monetary savings over the long run. The program is open to any lodging property in Canada and the United States.

The program assesses the 5 main operational areas of a property and covers nine areas of sustainable practices:

Operational Areas

  • Corporate Environmental Management
  • Housekeeping
  • Food & Beverage Operations
  • Conference & Meeting Facilities
  • Engineering

Sustainable Practices

  • Energy conservation
  • Water conservation
  • Solid waste management
  • Hazardous waste management
  • Indoor air quality
  • Community outreach
  • Building infrastructure
  • Land use
  • Environmental management

Rating Descriptions

1 Green Key — A hotel that has taken steps to reduce environmental impacts by analyzing its operations and identifying opportunities for improvement. An action plan focusing on resource conservation and waste minimization has been established, and is supported by a firm commitment to continual improvement.


2 Green Keys — A hotel that has taken considerable strides to identify environmental impacts and implement policies and programs to minimize its ecological footprint. A firm commitment to continual improvement has resulted in programs and actions that have shown effective results.

3 Green Keys — A hotel that has taken significant steps to protect the environment. Strong environmental programs, best management practices, training programs, and engineering solutions have been implemented which have benefited the environment and the local community.

4 Green Keys — A hotel that has shown national industry leadership and commitment to protecting the environment through wide ranging policies and practices. Hotel has mature programs in place that involve management, employees, guests, and the public, and which have shown substantial and measurable results.

5 Green Keys — A hotel that exemplifies the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility throughout all areas of operations. The hotel employs cutting edge technologies, policies, and programs that set the international standard for sustainable hotel operations.

Here is a list of Green Key Rated hotels.