GREEN KEY. Emirates Green Building Council 2014 Green Key Activity Report

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "GREEN KEY. Emirates Green Building Council 2014 Green Key Activity Report"

Alban Davis
6 years ago
Views:

establishments and is awarded to establishments that fulfil a list

Obtaining Green Key demonstrates the responsibility of the

Green Key is a Programme of the Foundation for Environmental

1 GREEN KEY Emirates Green Building Council 2014 Green Key Activity Report Green Key is an eco-label for tourism and leisure establishments and is awarded to establishments that fulfil a list of environmental requirements. Obtaining Green Key demonstrates the responsibility of the establishment for its surroundings and society. Green Key is a Programme of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Since March 2013, Emirates Green Building Council has been acting as Green Key National Operator for the United Arab Emirates. 1

2 Green Key in the World Green Key is an eco-label awarded to more than 2,300 hotels and other sites in 45 countries worldwide. Green Key aims at: raising the awareness of leisure establishment staff and clients, increasing the use of sustainable methods of operation and technology, running ecologically sound and responsible businesses, and thereby reducing resource, energy usage Green Key is a non-governmental, non-profit, independent Programme. It is recognized and supported by the World Tourism Organization and UNEP. Green Key is presently the largest global eco-label for accommodation and has a national administration centre in each participating country. Green Key is a Programme of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). - Green Key website - Started in Denmark in 1994 and managed by the Federation for Environmental Education since 2002, Green Key is a voluntary eco-label dedicated to the hospitality sector to promote sustainability and reward best environmental practices. Green Key criteria evolve around various thematics including water-waste-energy management, staff training and guest involvement, F & B, green activities, indoors and outdoors areas. The Program itself is based on five pillars: Environmental Education of Staff, Clients and Owners Strengthening of the Green Tourism and Leisure Sector Environmental Preservation & Resource Management Marketing Strategy of Green Key Label Economical Management In 2014, around 2300 establishments were Green Key certified in 45 countries worldwide. 2

3 Green Key in the United Arab Emirates and Role of the Emirates Green Building Council In May 2013, the Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) was awarded the operation of Green Key covering the hotels and resorts located in the United Arab Emirates. Since then, EmiratesGBC has been managing the application process, amongst others: - administrative management of the hotels Green Key applications, including filing and internal review of supporting documentation; invoicing process; local procurement; issuance of certificates and collaterals; local business development; - liaison with Green Key International management to coordinate memberships, communications, collaterals, branding...; - coordination with the EmiratesGBC auditors; - audit conduction; - coordination with the Green Key UAE National Jury: quarterly meetings, validation of the audit recommendations. In 2014, two EmiratesGBC staff have been committed to ensure timely renewals and proactive communications with the certified hotels. EmiratesGBC Internal Steps The following process to have hotels certified/recertified has been implemented on a systematic basis, based on the indications provided by Green key International and EmiratesGBC management of internal resources: Communications with hotels: collection of the application and supporting documentation, invoicing Certification process: invoicing, collaterals, registration with GK International Liaison with auditors: preaudit meetings, sharing of documentations Presentation of audit recommendations to Green Key National Jury for validation Audit conduction + liaison with auditors to finalize reports and collect recommendations 3

4 Green Key Auditors To guarantee transparency in the certification process, EmiratesGBC has been using the expertise of its Corporate Members to review the hotels applications and supporting documentation and to conduct the onsite visits. In 2014, 9 auditors have been identified and approved as Green Key auditors based on their expertise and experience in the fields of energy and water management. Against a small fee to their company, these auditors have dedicated time in reviewing files, conducting audits and preparing recommendations and action plans to the hotels. As official representatives of Emirates Green Building Council, the auditors have been asked to provide a CV and sufficient qualifications, as well assign the EmiratesGBC Code of Conduct. Moreover, to ensure the good conduction of the audits, a general meeting was organized in the EmiratesGBC Office on 5 September 2013 to go through the procedures and answer all possible questions regarding the Program. At last, active communications between the auditors and the EmiratesGBC Office representatives have taken place in the shape of pre-audit meetings or discussions, in order to identify the key aspects to be reviewed during the audit. During each audit, an Office representative accompanied the auditor to provide administrative and logistical support and ensure consistency among Green Key audits. Corporate Members involved in the Green Key Program in 2014 were AESG, Al Arsh Properties, EMS, Siemens, and WSP. Audit Conduction Based on recommendations from Green Key International and on the coordination between the EmiratesGBC Office and the auditors, the following steps have been implemented during each audit: 4

Introduction meeting with hotel's team Review of application and supporting documentation Site visit Conclusion meeting, Q & A A site visit generally includes the following areas, if applicable to

leisure areas (incl. gardens, pool, sauna,.

5 Introduction meeting with hotel's team Review of application and supporting documentation Site visit Conclusion meeting, Q & A A site visit generally includes the following areas, if applicable to the premises specifications: - engineering department - kitchen - waste management areas - standard guest room - guests common area - staff area - laundry room - storage of chemicals - recreation and leisure areas (incl. gardens, pool, sauna,...) Green Key UAE National Jury As a way for EmiratesGBC to show its highest commitment to ensure transparency and guarantee that the Green Key Program supports the overall UAE sustainability goals, a Green Key National Jury was formed as a voluntary addition (i.e. not mandated by Green Key International) to the Council s activities. The National Jury is comprised of representatives of Emirates-based and federal organizations and governmental authorities which have strong experience and commitments with sustainability and with the hospitality/tourism sectors in the country. As such, EmiratesGBC aligns its activities with the local and national agenda towards green tourism. In 2014, the Green Key National Jury was comprised of the following organizations and representatives: - Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) Sheika Ibrahim Al Mutawa - UAE National Council of Tourism & Antiquities Mohammed Yousef - Middle East Facility Management Association (MEFMFA) Ahmed Hussain - Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) Alzahra Ali Ahmed and Eng. Hebah Kokash - EWS-WWF Ida Tillisch and Moaz Sawaf - Legrand, EmiratesGBC Board Member Amelie Zegmout 5

Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority and Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority have also been contacted and have confirmed their interest to be part of the National Jury in 2015.

6 Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority and Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority have also been contacted and have confirmed their interest to be part of the National Jury in The National Jury has been invited to quarterly meetings in the EmiratesGBC Office in order to validate the audit recommendations and provide inputs to support the Program s business development. If no meetings are organized, the Jury has been invited to share comments and approvals by . The following items are presented and discussed with the Jury, amongst others: - review of audit recommendations, Q&As on hotels performances and validation of certifications; - brainstorm on various projects from Green Key International; - advise on how EmiratesGBC can improve its Green Key related activities and program development. The process of certification validation follows the below steps: 1- Office sends audit files and recommendations to jury members 2- Jury meeting, review of slides, Q&As 3- Validation of certifications 4- Office to finalize administrative steps 1. Prior to the conduction of the quarterly meeting and along with sending the meeting agenda, the EmiratesGBC Office shares with the Jury members the audit recommendations and action plans for the hotels that undergo (re)certification. This step is especially important if the validation process is made via rather than in person. 2. During the quarterly meeting, the EmiratesGBC representative(s) present the outcomes of the audit visits and share the auditors recommendations. 6

7 The Jury members are invited to comment on the presented slides and ask questions regarding the hotels performances. 3. The Jury members are then asked whether they support the audit recommendations, which leads to the validation of the certification. If the Jury raises concerns the certification is upheld until the hotel can provide further documentation or justification on specific items. In 2014, The Green Key National Jury validated all audit recommendations, leading to the first-year certification and renewal of all 24 UAE hotels. 4. Following the validation from the National Jury EmiratesGBC finalizes the last administrative steps (i.e. invoicing and procurement) to officially confirm the certification. The Office also liaises with Green Key International to update the hotels respective records. Green Key Certified Hotels in 2014 In 2014, 24 hotels and resorts have been certified: Rezidor Group 9 hotels for renewal: - Park Inn Yas Island - Radisson Blu Resort Fujairah - Radisson Blu Deira Creek - Radisson Blu Resport Sharjah - Radisson Blu Downtown - Radisson Blu Yas Island - Radisson Blu Dubai Media City - Radisson Royal Hotel Dubai - Radisson Blu Residence Marina Starwood Group 13 hotels for renewal, 2 new certifications: - Al Maha Desert Resort - Aloft Abu Dhabi - Four Points Bur Dubai - Four Points Sheik Zayed Road - Four Points Downtown - Grosvenor House Luxury Collection 7

8 - Le Royal Meridien Dubai - Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi (new) - Le Meridien Abu Dhabi - Le Meridien Al Aqah - The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa - Sheraton Deira - Sheraton Dubai Creek - Sheraton Jumeirah Beach - St Regis Saadiyat Island (new) To increase its existing portfolio, EmiratesGBC is putting efforts onto Green Key business development through communications during exhibitions, events, speaking opportunities, social media communications (incl. EmiratesGBC monthly newsletter), articles in reports, etc. In 2014, 3 hotels expressed interest in Green Key and started the application process: - Amwaj Rotana advanced process to be finalized in 2015 Q1 - Media One Media City first stages - Fairmont The Palm - advanced process to be finalized in 2015 Q1 Other projects discussed with Green Key International and Planning for 2015 Other items have been discussed internally with Green Key International and the National Jury, to be followed-up and included in the 2015 planning: Revision of the Baseline Criteria for Hotels Development of UAE specific Baseline Criteria Other misc. Green Key items Ongoing review process amongst all GK National Operators. EmiratesGBC asked Auditors and Jury Members to provide feedback on criteria to be rephrased, removed and/or added. Feedback shared with GK International, review to progress throughout New criteria to take effect from July 2016 until December In line with international revision, develop a set of UAE-tailored criteria that are more relevant to local climatic and business context. Auditors, National Jury and GK certified hotels in the loop to contribute. International survey for GK hotel managers to collect opinions on the certification and assess its impacts on operations and performances. Renewal of GK official communications, completed with EmiratesGBC marketing to support business development. Communications to increase visibility of GK certified hotels: EmiratesGBC Program page, GK newsletter, best practices platform... 8

ABOUT EWS-WWF. Youtube: WWFUAE

ABOUT EWS-WWF. Youtube: WWFUAE Blue Flag Join the programme If you are interested in joining Blue Flag in the UAE, please contact Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (FEE National Operator). EWS-WWF Abu Dhabi office T: