This text is part of the special Business Tourism booklet
Green Key environmental assessment certification and the Association Hôtellerie du Québec (AHQ) have just entered into an ambitious partnership. Thanks to a training program and a concrete action plan, their common goal is to certify all accommodations across the province within three years.
“This is the first program of its kind in Canada, and Quebec is a true leader,” says Rebecca Bartlett-Jones, business development manager for Clé verte, an international eco-label present in several countries. Then we hope other provinces and territories will follow suit. »
AHQ members will be encouraged to follow an action plan focused on reducing their carbon footprint and on the circular economy. In other words, they will have to reuse, recycle and upcycle, that is, transform recovered materials into higher quality products, in order to reduce the amount of waste. Efforts can also be made in terms of responsible supply of food products and hygiene products, such as bulk and local. Avoiding waste, eliminating single-use products or installing more efficient and less energy-consuming equipment are all good practices.
Seminars, advice sheets and other tools will enable them to improve, and a green committee should be set up in each division. “For example, in a housekeeping service, we suggest washing the towels every two days rather than daily, illustrates Rebecca Bartlett-Jones. We provide documentation to make it easy to explain to customers the importance of this type of measurement. »
If an accommodation wishes to change its conventional bulbs for LED bulbs, which have a lower ecological impact, Green Key guides it to a supplier capable of evaluating the amount of energy saved thanks to this measure. “We have many mechanisms to help them,” adds Ms.me Bartlett Jones.
Growing demand
Other certifications exist, but Clé verte emerged as the best choice according to the AHQ, because it is designed by and for hoteliers. It is also recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), which sets standards for sustainable development for tourism professionals and governments. A new version of the label now incorporates the 17 goals of the United Nations (UN).
Not only environmental, but also social and economic concepts are to be taken into account in governance, human resources management and the repercussions on the local community, among others. This implies, for example, ensuring pay equity, inclusion or promoting the creations of local artists.
“In addition to meeting the growing need of customers who are looking for sustainable accommodation during their stay, certification helps structure the implementation of a sustainable development approach and highlights good practices in the sector. institution,” says Véronyque Tremblay, President and CEO of the AHQ.
Sustainable initiatives are already legion in the hotel industry, according to the CEO of the AHQ, who mentions the beehives installed on the roof of the Château Laurier and the implementation of a system for managing wastewater treated by purifying reeds. at Baluchon, an establishment located in Saint-Paulin, Mauricie. The Hôtel du Vieux-Québec, whose two roofs are green, is another inspiring example. “He uses no pesticides, only ladybugs, makes his compost to grow his vegetables used in the kitchen, and he also has a solar panel to power the LED lights on one of the floors,” he says. -She.
Véronyque Tremblay observes that hoteliers are opening a new chapter towards sustainability. After the two years of the pandemic, she believes it is important to support them, support them and highlight them.
Seven Steps
This special content was produced by the Special Publications team of the Duty, pertaining to marketing. The drafting of Duty did not take part.