Regular communication and engagement with staff is essential, as it enables them to understand their role in sustainability, respond confidently to guest enquiries, and contribute meaningfully to environmental and social initiatives.
The management, the Green Key Establishment Representative and/or the Green Committee ensure a consistent flow of information and actively engage staff in sustainability efforts. Staff receive updates on both ongoing and new sustainability initiatives to help them understand their role and the impact of their actions. The briefing is delivered either in person (e.g. through staff meetings), in writing or via e-learning.
The topics typically include environmental management areas such as water, energy, waste, cleaning practices, Food & Beverages (F&B) and circular economy principles (reduce, reuse, recycle), as well as other sustainability issues such as local biodiversity and community engagement. Information about the Green Key programme is also communicated.
The management briefs staff at least 2 times per year. Consideration is given to including seasonal staff to ensure wide participation. This criterion applies to both internal and outsourced staff working on-site.
Establishments that are seasonal and/or have 5 or fewer staff members brief the staff at least 1 time per year.
For first-time applicants, at least 1 briefing has taken place prior to the audit.
During the audit, the establishment presents written evidence (e.g. documents, or presentations, or screenshots/exports from digital platforms) outlining:
- which topics were covered;
- participating department(s) (e.g. housekeeping department); and
- the date of provision.
During the visual inspection, the auditor conducts at least 1 random interview with staff to validate their awareness of sustainability initiatives and confirm that regular communication has occurred.
In specific circumstances, for establishments with fewer than 5 staff members, the information about sustainability initiatives can be provided orally. In this case, no documentation is required, and staff knowledge is still validated through interviews.
Regular communication and engagement with staff is essential, as it enables them to understand their role in sustainability, respond confidently to guest enquiries, and contribute meaningfully to environmental and social initiatives.
The management, the Green Key Establishment Representative and/or the Green Committee ensure a consistent flow of information and actively engage staff in sustainability efforts. Staff receive updates on both ongoing and new sustainability initiatives to help them understand their role and the impact of their actions. The briefing is delivered either in person (e.g. through staff meetings), in writing or via e-learning.
The topics typically include environmental management areas such as water, energy, waste, cleaning practices, Food & Beverages (F&B) and circular economy principles (reduce, reuse, recycle), as well as other sustainability issues such as local biodiversity and community engagement. Information about the Green Key programme is also communicated.
The management briefs staff at least 2 times per year. Consideration is given to including seasonal staff to ensure wide participation. This criterion applies to both internal and outsourced staff working on-site.
Establishments that are seasonal and/or have 5 or fewer staff members brief the staff at least 1 time per year.
For first-time applicants, at least 1 briefing has taken place prior to the audit.
During the audit, the establishment presents written evidence (e.g. documents, or presentations, or screenshots/exports from digital platforms) outlining:
- which topics were covered;
- participating department(s) (e.g. housekeeping department); and
- the date of provision.
During the visual inspection, the auditor conducts at least 1 random interview with staff to validate their awareness of sustainability initiatives and confirm that regular communication has occurred.
In specific circumstances, for establishments with fewer than 5 staff members, the information about sustainability initiatives can be provided orally. In this case, no documentation is required, and staff knowledge is still validated through interviews.