Sustainable hotels: Which certifications matter?

Traveling for business can have a huge impact on the environment when not done in a sustainable manner. Sustainability should not just be an afterthought as it is more an expected add-on. With more than 200 eco-labels in the travel industry, it’s hard to know what really makes a difference when choosing sustainable hotels. 

This is why hotel sustainability certifications are a helpful compass. Sustainable hotel certifications prove that a hotel has met certain standards for energy, water, waste, and social impact, and are often backed by third-party audits. We’ll look at what sustainable hotel certifications mean, the eco-labels to look out for and how to choose the right one for your business travel program.

Why certifications matter for business travel

Certifications are not greenwashing, they’re a way of finding your northern lights amidst the excess of information available on the market, and allowing you to meet business requirements.

Top 4 reasons to rely on sustainable hotel certifications

1. Trust

Prove to your travelers that you care, don’t just make empty claims.

2. Go beyond greenwashing

Greenwashing is what many companies do to show the world that they care about the environment and to wash their hands of the real responsibility we have to the earth. With certifications you can trust, you can rely on third parties who have a process in place to quantify and measure real metrics.

3. Support ESG reporting 

ESG reporting is critical for SMEs and growing companies. More and more will be a requirement for businesses in Europe to report on sustainability figures.

4. Increase visibility on booking platforms

Sometimes it’s hard to decide which hotel is the best choice, by selecting certified hotels you can better prioritize. 

Sustainability hotel certifications that make a difference

Not all labels have the same importance. Let’s look at the ones that are most widely recognized and trusted:

1. LEED (Leadership in energy and environmental design)

This is a good indicator of how sustainable the building and design infrastructure is. It focuses on energy efficiency, water usage, sustainable materials, building design and carbon footprint.

2. Green Key

Green Key evaluates day-to-day operations, staff training, as well as waste, energy and water management. It’s an important eco-label for hotels, especially in Europe.

3. EarthCheck

This certification is often used by large hotels and resorts. It focuses on energy, emissions, water use and waste management. 

4. Green Globe

Green Globe is a certification that looks beyond environmental metrics, looking at results like environment and social impact, like social responsibility, economic sustainability and cultural preservation. 

5. BREEAM

BREEAM assesses building performance, energy efficiency and environmental impact. It’s particularly important for the UK and Europe. 

6. EU Ecolabel

This European Union certification guarantees environmental standards, reduced energy and water consumption and the use of sustainable products and services. 

How to choose the right certification for your travel policy

Remember real certifications require evidence not claims. Look for things like third-party verification, transparent criteria, regular audits and alignment with global standards. As an SME all of these certifications can be overwhelming but by focusing on 2-3 globally recognized certifications you can keep your travel policy simple and credible. Align the choice of sustainable hotels with your other sustainable goals and let the policy do the work of lining up the dots.

Choosing a sustainable hotel shouldn’t feel like guesswork. By focusing on trusted certifications, you can help travelers make more responsible travel decisions, avoid greenwashing and support your overall company sustainability goals.