The Green Key Audit consists of approximately 140 questions related to various areas of sustainable hotel operations. Each question has been assigned a specific point value based on the environmental and social impacts a particular action has and its associated impact on guests, employees, management, and the local community.

Green Key Scoring
The Green Key system is designed to automatically tally a hotel’s final score and award an instant Green Key Rating based on a percentage (points scored versus total number of potential points). Hotels are then awarded a Green Key Rating on a scale of 1 through 5 with 5 being the highest.

1 – 19.9% 1 Green Key
20 – 39.9% 2 Green Keys
40 – 59.9% 3 Green Keys
60 – 79.9% 4 Green Keys
80 – 100% 5 Green Keys

Green Key Rating Descriptions

A hotel that has taken first 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.

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.

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.

A hotel that has shown national industry leadership and commitment to protecting the environment through its 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.

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.

Click here for a complete list of Green Key Rated properties.