The GreenSign Hotel Certification is awarded by the GreenSign Institute in Berlin to promote transparency regarding sustainability. It is a certification framework recognized by the globally renowned Global Sustainable Tourism Council, which is used to determine a hotel’s level of sustainability. To obtain the GreenSign Hotel Certification, a hotel must first meet the comprehensive list of requirements.

It includes more than 130 criteria, which are broken down into ten core areas. The assessment program is designed to be practical and is based on high standards such as EMAS, DIN ISO 14001, ISO 26000, and the SDGs. In addition to environmental sustainability, it also covers social, cultural, and economic aspects. In addition to self-assessment using a digital tool, hotels are required to develop an environmental program that sets specific development goals. The hotel’s information is first reviewed by GreenSign experts. This is followed by an on-site audit, during which all data is thoroughly examined.

Upon completion, the hotel’s sustainability performance is transparently presented—both overall and in each core area—based on its compliance level. The compliance level ranges from a minimum of 50% to a maximum of 100%. The GreenSign widget displays the compliance level directly and clearly. This is indicated on the certificate, which is valid for three years. Worldwide, over 900 companies in 19 countries hold GreenSign certification. (As of November 2024)

These are the core areas:

Management & Communication (SDGs 4, 8, 10, 13, 16, 17)

Environment and Energy (SDGs 1 through 4 / 6 through 9 / 11 through 17)

Environment: Water (SDGs 1 through 4 / 6 through 9 / 11 through 17)

Environment: Waste (SDGs 1 through 4 / 6 through 9 / 11 through 17)

Regional Development & Mobility (SDGs 1 through 5 and 8 through 17)

Biodiversity & Cultural Heritage (SDGs 1 / 4 / 8 / 10–17)

Procurement (SDGs 1 / 3 / 5 / 8 / 10 / 12 – 17)

Quality Management and Sustainable Development (SDGs 4 and 8)

Social Responsibility (SDGs 1 through 5 / 8 / 10 / 16 / 17)

Economic Responsibility (SDGs 4 and 8)

The GreenSign Sustainability Barometer, which each hotel receives upon certification, transparently illustrates each hotel’s performance in the individual core areas.

For more information about GreenSign Hotels: https://www.greensign.de/zertifizierung/greensign-hotel/

GreenSign Institut GmbH

Nürnberger Straße 49, 10789 Berlin

Tel. +49 (0)30 318 62 8 0

Email: info@greensign.de

Website: www.greensign.de