| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 22/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 20 |
| Copyright: Other |
globe watch
Welcome to our fortnightlypage which puts the spotlight on sustainable tourism.
Green GlobeAddress: 30 GrosvenorGardens, London SW1.
Web site address:www.greenglobe21.com
New scheme to lift awarenessof green issues
Jane Archer reports on the launch of a new environmental scheme
GREEN Globe has launched a tour operator certification scheme in its attempt to move environmental issues higher up the agenda in the travel and tourism industry.A sector guide outlining how operators can achieve Green Globe certification was launched at ITB in Berlin in March and several companies are interested in the standard.
However, certification manager Alex Dykes said they will not be named until the pilot scheme gets under way – hopefully by the end of the year.
Green Globe was set up in 1994, after the Rio Earth Summit, as part of the World Travel and Tourism Council. It split off last year to gain more freedom and a marketing budget.
The aim of the latter is to raise environmental awareness and get public support for good practice, said Dykes.
“There is little point in encouraging companies and countries to change their habits if consumers are unaware of it,” she added. “We have to show people the impact their holiday can have on the environment and show them that they have a choice.”
Green Globe started as a membership programme, allowing companies to use its logo if they could prove they were making an effort to help the environment.
In 1997, it became a certification programme with set standards and on-site checks.
“Before, companies could become members and send us information showing what they were doing for the environment to be allowed to use our logo,” said Dykes.
“Now a company has to commit to achieving certification. We then issue them with a statement of intent to put on display to show they are working towards certification and which is valid for 12 months.
“When they are ready, we send an assessor for an on-site inspection.”
“If the company is successful, it gets Green Globe certification, and there are annual checks to make sure there are continuous improvements,” said Dykes.
Green Globe has nine performance areas. They include energy efficiency, air quality, noise control, waste water management, minimising waste and management of cultural and social issues.
At the moment, the scheme has focused on accommodation and attractions – about 20 hotels have been awarded Green Globe certificates since November 1998.
Although no tour operator has certification yet, Kuoni, Thomas Cook, Explore Worldwide and several members of the Association of Independent Tour Operators are Green Globe participants. This means they can use the Green Globe logo but without the tick. That comes with certification.
Dykes said Green Globe has partners in Australia and the Caribbean and also works with some regional environmental bodies such as Green Key, an organisation for Danish hotels and Green Leaf, part of the Pacific Asian Travel Association.
“We are the only global environmental organisation but there are a number of regional ones, which is confusing for consumers,” she added. “We are trying to work with them to make it clear for the public and to ensure standards match.”
Keep it clean: operators can get certification saying they won’t pollute the atmosphere
Projects awarded certification
n The Movenpick Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt.
n Hotel Tiffany, Geneva, Switzerland.
n Jarvis International Hotel, Bolton, UK.
n Ghazala Hotel, Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.
n Marriott Manchester Hotel and Country Club, Manchester, UK.
n Thomas Cook environmental review of head office and travel agency network.
n Visitor payback scheme for clients of ski operators in the Association of Independent Tour Operators to fund conservation projects in French Alps.
n Environmental management system recommended for 34 UK Marriott hotels.