Two labels that will support Accor hotels in obtaining external and independent certification of their eco-responsible practices and will enable them to take a new step in their transformation
For many years, Accor has been committed to sustainable development. In 2020, the Group has thus committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and to reducing its absolute emissions by 46 % (scope 1 & 2) and 28% (scope 3) by 2030. Accor wants to go further in its sustainable transition and is committed to making it easier for its 5,400 hotels to obtain external certification in matter of sustainable development.
Following on from Accor’s membership of the GSTC (World Sustainable Tourism Council) last year, the Group is today pleased to announce the signing of two new international partnerships with the Green Key and Green Globe labels, including the standards are recognized by GSTC. These certification programs assess companies on the basis of the four fundamental pillars of sustainable development: sustainable management, environmental impacts, cultural impacts and socio-economic impacts. The hotels’ procedures are validated by an external and independent audit of their practices.
By encouraging the sustainable certification of its hotels, Accor will allow its customers and partners to travel in a more virtuous way by providing them with all the information to make eco-responsible choices. Accor will also contribute to the certification process for sustainable destinations, such as in Marseille, where the Group is committed to obtaining certification for all its hotels by 2024, in accordance with the ambitions of the Marseille municipality.
Brune Poirson, Director of Sustainable Development, Accor, says: Accor’s ability to act is global. But this requires an implementation method to maximize social and environmental impact. Independent certification is a necessity for all hotels as it helps them provide evidence of our sustainability commitments, meet rising guest expectations and contribute to science-based goals. It demonstrates strong external recognition of our sustainable development practices by all stakeholders in the sector.
The partnership between Accor and Green Key will enable the Group’s hotels to deploy their eco-responsible initiatives through two preferential certification programs on a global scale, including Green Key.
Finn Bolding Thomsen, Global Director of Green Key comments: We are proud to have been chosen by Accor to be one of its preferred certification partners. With our extensive network of national operators, we look forward to supporting Accor in its sustainability ambitions and to seeing many of the Group’s hotels displaying the Green Key label around the world.
The Green Globe label has a long-standing relationship with Accor through the Mövenpick brand, one of the pioneers of sustainable certification within the Group, which already includes sustainable certification in its specifications. .
Birte Pelayo, CEO of Green Globe, says: With Accor, one of the world’s largest hospitality players, Green Globe is accessing even more markets and many new countries. Our certification services are widely recognized, as illustrated by the labeling of Mövenpick Hotel & Resort, a member of the Accor Group, a brand that has more than 70 establishments around the world displaying the Green Globe certification for more than ten years.
As the leading hotel operator in Australia and New Zealand, Accor has also concluded a strategic partnership with Ecotourism Australia with a view to obtaining certification “ Sustainable tourism » all its hotels, apartments and resorts in Australia and the Pacific region.
In the United States and Canada, Accor has been a long-standing partner of Green Key Global, particularly through the Fairmont brand, many hotels of which have been certified in recent years.
Similarly, Accor collaborates in all regions with recognized local certification programs.
These global and local partnerships will enable Accor to achieve the goal of 100% of our network being eco-certified by 2026.
Accor is a world leader in hospitality, present in more than 110 countries, with 5,400 hotels and 10,000 restaurants and bars, wellness areas and flexible workspaces. The Group deploys an integrated hotel ecosystem that is among the most diversified in the sector, thanks to more than 40 brands ranging from luxury to economy and lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking concrete action in terms of ethics and professional integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, solidarity commitment, diversity and inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA, headquartered in France, is listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC market in the United States (code: ACCYY).
About the Green Globe label
Green Globe is an international tourism label, specifically designed for travel and tourism professionals who deploy sustainable management of their activities. Based in California and represented in 83 countries, Green Globe is affiliated with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
About the Green Key label
Coordinated by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the Green Key is a sustainable tourism label, already awarded to more than 4,200 hotels and other tourist establishments in more than 60 countries. This eco-label is the most important certification of excellence in terms of environmental responsibility and sustainable management within the tourism sector. Establishments with the Green Key label have to comply with rigorous environmental specifications, based on strict criteria, a demanding study of the files submitted and regular audits. Green Key is open to hotels, youth hostels, lodges and furnished accommodation, campsites, holiday villages, conference centers, restaurants, tourist attractions…
