The (green) key to an eco-responsible culture
There is no shortage of certifications out there—nor in the variations [alt: differences] between them. The Green Key program was launched in 1994 by the Hotel Association of Canada. A member since 2008, Germain Hotels took things a step further in 2024 by having all 19 of its properties Four-Key certified. But what does that mean for their guests? To find out, we spoke with Tyler Stacey-Holmes, Member Services Supervisor at Green Key Global.
Q. For the uninitiated, what is Green Key?
A. Green Key is a sustainability certification organization for the hotel and lodging industry. We offer several different programs, including one called the Eco-Rating Program, which guides properties through an in-depth self-assessment of roughly two hundred questions.
The questions were developed by hoteliers for hoteliers and cover five key performance areas. These include environmental management, housekeeping, food and beverage operations, conference and meeting facilities, and engineering. […] Properties are required to submit supporting documentation to back up their claims.
Q. What happens next?
A. Once the property has submitted its self-assessment, a mandatory audit is conducted. We work with an accredited third party that reviews the results and ensures every positive response provided by the property is verified and accurate.
Based on this verification, the property is awarded an Eco-Rating score between one and five keys, with five being the highest possible score.
Q. How has the program evolved over the years?
A. Audits have always existed, but they weren’t always mandatory. A random draw would determine which properties were audited. Things have changed a lot since the early days—expectations are higher now. That’s why, in 2023, we launched a new version of the Eco-Rating program that requires every property to complete both the self-assessment and the audit. The goal was to verify properties’ claims as well as eliminate any accusations of greenwashing.
Q. Did all Germain Hotels properties receive the same rating right from the start?
A. Most of them received four out of five keys, but a few received three. Germain Hotels immediately doubled down, stating “We want all our hotels to be Four-Key certified.”
I’ve never seen this level of engagement from a brand to ensure every property meets such high standards. The engagement is shared by employees at every level of the organization. Every interaction I’ve had with staff shows me this is a group that lives, breathes - and sleeps! - sustainability.
Who owns Green Key?
Green Key is jointly owned by the Hotel Association of Canada and the American Hotel and Lodging Association, who partnered in 2024 to launch one of the first sustainability certification program in North America. It now boasts over 2,400 members.
Green Key through the eyes of Nicole Morales, Director of Housekeeping at Escad Hotel Quartier DIX30
“Earning a Four-Key certification shows guests that our hotel is truly eco-responsible. They can trust that everything has been thoughtfully considered—there’s a recycling bin in every room, initiatives for the Nespresso capsules… We even provide reusable tote bags in the rooms.”
And There’s More…
“We also hold several other certifications that reinforce our credibility, such as Biosphere, Aliments du Québec, Smarter Seafood and ICI on recycle,” notes Justine Nadeau, Project Manager, Sustainable Development at Germain Hotels.
Learn more about the sustainability initiatives at Germain Hotels
