Green Key Program

Green Key is an international eco-label for tourism facilities. Since its invention in Denmark in 1994, Green Key has been a leading standard of excellence in environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. The Green Key programme is managed by the Foundation for Environmental Education. In the United Arab Emirates, the Green Key is managed by Emirates Green Building Council.

Green Key provides a well-proven framework for an establishment to work with its environmental management on sustainability issues, including awareness raising. The high environmental standards expected of these establishments are maintained through rigorous documentation and frequent on-site audits. Green Key is eligible for hotels, hostels, small accommodations, campsites, holiday parks, conference centres, restaurants, and attractions. After achieving the prestigious international award, the establishment can use it in its promotion. For guests, a Green Key shows that the establishment is committed to reducing the environmental impact of their stay.

The Green Key programme is linked to the Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030 addressed by the United Nations. The Green Key criteria and explanatory notes for hotels and hostels have received ‘Global Sustainable Tourism Council recognition’ status.

Did you know?

The Green Key certification evolves around the concept of continuous improvement: The work is not done after the certification is awarded. Year after year a certified property needs to show it has improved its green performance by reducing its utilities consumption, increasing awareness campaigns towards guests and staff, and upgrade its facilities. To help the hotels identify potential areas of improvements, the Green Key baseline criteria include mandatory items as well as “guideline criteria” whose share needs to be increased each year.

To learn more about Green Key

For more information on Green Key in the UAE or how to apply for certification,
please contact the EmiratesGBC office at greenkey@emiratesgbc.org.

Green Key International Website

Green Key – Baseline Criteria

In order for a property to receive Green Key certification, it must meet a series of sustainability criteria which cover both the operational sides of the property’s activities, as well as technical elements which will positively impact on the building’s energy and water consumption.

The 2022-2025 Green Key baseline criteria list covers the following 13 categories:

Environmental Management

Staff Involvement

Guest Information

Water

Washing and Cleaning

Waste

Energy

Food and Beverage

Indoor Environment

Green Areas

Corporate Social Responsibility

Green Activities

Administration

Click here to access the 2022-2025 Hotels Explanatory Notes.

Click here to access the 2022-2025 Application Form.

Click here to access to access the certification agreement establishment.

The application process requires the property to submit its application with supporting documentation and participate in an audit to ensure criteria has been met and best practices are being implemented.

Upon successful application, audit and validation from the Green Key National Jury, the hotel is awarded with the Green Key certification, to be renewed on a yearly basis.

Green Key Fees

Audit Fees* (AED) 2,625

Certification Fees (AED) 4,725

Prices above are inclusive of 5% VAT.

* Audit fees are paid only when a walk-through audit is conducted

Are you Ready to Apply?

for more information click here

or Email greenkey@emiratesgbc.org to notify us of your interest.

Auditors and National Jury

Green Key Auditors

To guarantee transparency in the certification process, EmiratesGBC uses the expertise of its trained technical staff to review the hotels’ applications and supporting documentation and to conduct the onsite visits.

Green Key UAE National Jury

As a way for EmiratesGBC to show its highest commitment to ensure transparency and guarantee that the Green Key Program supports the overall UAE sustainability goals, a Green Key National Jury was formed as a voluntary addition (i.e. not mandated by Green Key International) to the Council’s activities. The National Jury is comprised of representatives of Emirates-based and federal organizations and governmental authorities which have strong experience and commitments with sustainability and with the hospitality/tourism sectors in the country. As such, EmiratesGBC aligns its activities with the local and national agenda towards green tourism.

UAE National Jury Members

Mohamed Elnaggar

Tourism Affairs Expert

Department of Tourism Development, Ministry of Economy

Mohamed Hafilur Rahman

Executive Director

Green Global

Taleed Al Khatib

Manager - Sustainability section

Tourism Development and Investments

Mohamed Youssef

Senior Consultant-Tourism Affairs,

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority

Green Key – UAE Certified Hotels

=25HOURS HOTEL DUBAI ONE CENTRAL
=A Luxury Collection Al Wathba Desert Resort & SPA
=ADAGIO ABU DHABI AL BUSTAN
=ADAGIO PREMIUM DUBAI AL BARSHA
=ADAGIO PREMIUM THE PALM
=Address Beach Resort
=Address Beach Resort Fujairah
=Address Creek Harbour
=Address Downtown
=Address Dubai Mall
=Address Montgomerie
=Address Sky View
=AJMAN SARAY
=Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection
=Al Maha A Luxury Collection Desert Resort Spa, Dubai
=ALOFT AL MINA, DUBAI
=Aloft Alain
=ALOFT DUBAI AIRPORT
=Aloft Dubai South
=Aloft Hotel Abu Dhabi
=Aloft Meaisam Dubai
=Aloft Palm Jumeirah
=Aparthotel Adagio Dubai Deira
=APARTHOTEL ADAGIO FUJAIRAH
=Banyan Tree Dubai
=Barcelo Residence Dubai Marina
=Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi
=BVLGARI Resort Dubai
=Centro Capital Centre
=Citadines Culture Village Dubai
=Citadines Metro Central Dubai
=Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
=Courtyard by Marriott Culture Village Dubai
=Courtyard World Trade Center Abu Dhabi
=Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina Hotel LLC

=Delta Hotel, DIP
=Double Tree By Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island
=Dubai Marriott Harbor Hotel and Suites
=EDITION HOTEL , DOWNTOWN DUBAI
=Element Airport Hotel Apartments
=Element Al Mina Hotel Apartments
=Element by Westin Al Jaddaf
=Element Me’asiam
=ERTH Abu Dhabi
=Fairmont Ajman
=Fairmont Dubai
=Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort
=Fairmont The Palm
=Four Points Bur Dubai
=Four Points Sheraton Sharjah
=Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa - Al Aqah Beach
=Grand Heights Hotel Apartments
=Grand Mercure Dubai City
=Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island
=HILTON DUBAI PALM JUMEIRAH HOTEL (BR OF GOLDEN SANDS HOTEL CO (L.L.C))
=Hotel Boulevard, Autograph Collection
=Hyde Hotel Dubai
=IBIS AL RIGGA
=IBIS DEIRA CREEKSIDE DUBAI
=IBIS DUBAI AL BARSHA
=Ibis Fujairah
=Ibis Gate Abu Dhabi
=IBIS MALL AVENUE DUBAI
=IBIS ONE CENTRAL
=Ibis Styles Deira
=IBIS STYLES DRAGON MART
=IBIS STYLES DUBAI AIRPORT
=Ibis Styles Dubai Jumeira
=IBIS STYLES SHARJAH
=ibis World Trade Centre Dubai

=InterContinental Hotel and Hotel Apartments, Dubai Maina
=JW Marriott Hotel Marina
=JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
=Kempinski the Boulevard Hotel L. L. C.
=Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana
=La Ville Hotel & Suites, City Walk Dubai
=Lapita Dubai Parks and Resorts
=Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort
=Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre
=Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark
=Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort Spa Dubai
=Le Royal Meridien, Abu Dhabi
=Marriott Executive Apartments Downtown Abu Dhabi
=Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek
=Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf, Dubai
=Marriott Al Forsan
=Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi
=Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah
=Media One Hotel
=Mercure Dubai Deria
=Mercure Gold Hotel
=Movenpick Grand Al Bustan Dubai
=Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai
=Novotel Abu Dhabi Al Bustan
=Novotel Abu Dhabi Gate
=Novotel Bur Dubai
=Novotel Deira CreekSide Dubai
=Novotel Dubai Al Barsha
=Novotel Fujairah
=Novotel Sharjah Expo
=Novotel Suites Mall Avenue Dubai
=Novotel World Trade Centre Dubai
=Palace Beach Resort Fujairah
=Palace Downtown
=Park Rotana

=Pearl Rotana Capital Centre
=Pullman Dubai Downtown
=Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City
=Radisson Hotel, Dubai Damac Hills
=RAFFLES DUBAI
=Residnece Inn Al Jadaf
=Rose Rayhaan by Rotana Hotels
=Rove at The Park
=Rove City Centre Hotel
=Rove City Walk
=Rove Downtown Hotel
=Rove Dubai Marina Hotel
=Rove Expo 2020
=Rove Healthcare city Hotel
=Rove La Mer Beach
=Rove Trade Centre
=Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas
=Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers
=Sheraton Grand Hotel, Dubai
=Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort & Towers
=Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa
=SLS Hotel and Residences Dubai L.L.C
=SO/ Uptown Dubai
=Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach
=Sofitel Dubai the Obelisk
=St. Regis Downtown
=St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
=Studio One
=SWISSOTEL AL MUROOJ DUBAI
=The Abu Dhabi Edition Hotel
=The Cove Rotana Resort (RAK)
=The First Collection at Jumeirah village circle Tribute portfolio
=The First collection Business Bay
=The H Dubai

=The Heritage Hotel, Autograph Collection
=The Radisson Blu Residence Marina
=The Ritz Carlton Dubai
=The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
=The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre
=The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
=The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm
=The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
=Towers Rotana Hotel
=Tryp by Wyndham Dubai
=Vida Creek Harbour
=Vida Dubai Marina & Yacht Club Hotel
=Vida Emirates Hills Hotel
=W Abu Dhabi YAS ISLAND
=W Dubai Mina Seyshi
=W Dubai The Palm
=WB Hotel Curio Collection
=Wyndham Dubai Marina

Green Key – Documents

Documents related to the Certification

Green Key application form hotels and hostels 2022-2025

Green Key criteria explanatory notes 2022-2025

Certification Agreement Establishment

Contact greenkey@emiratesgbc.org should you need any information.

Green Key Policies

Green Key – FAQ

This page compiles questions and answers with regard to Green Key, the implementation of green principles and the application process itself.

Should you need more information contact greenkey@emiratesgbc.org.

Green Key – General

Why should my property seek Green Key certification?

There are many benefits in becoming Green Key certified, including amongst others:

Optimized processes for energy & water conservation and waste management, and the related financial savings.
Areas in the hotel’s operations where signage, training and communications are needed.
Sense of belonging.
Visibility as eco-certified hotel in online travel platforms: BookDifferent, Expedia, Glooby, Ticati, HRS, BookGreener, BookGreener).
Visibility through online communications: PR, EmiratesGBC and Green Key International respective newsletters and websites.

What collaterals do I get as Green Key certified hotel?

Each year and after validation of the certification process by the Green Key National Jury and payment of the annual fees, properties receive an official letter of certification, the Green Key annual certificate and a sticker to be placed on the Green Plaque (received on Year 1).
Green Key International offers the possibility to purchase other items such as flags, pins, …

Certification Process

I want to apply for certification - where do I start?

Before filling in the application form we strongly advise you share the list of criteria with your heads of departments and green committee / green Champions to assess your current situation and implement corrective actions.

The following questions should help you:

Do i have the required policies, SOPs, trainings, signage…in place?
Do i have the required documents and proofs of compliance available and sorted?
What are my motivations to be certified and how do i want to make it a success?

How long does it take to be certified?

The length of the certification process depends on your level of preparedness and measures you might need to implement to be compliant. It is advised to use the Green Key baseline criteria list as a reference and pass it on to all departments to make sure all have everything in place.

Overall the process, from the preparation of the application, the collection and review of documentation, the audit and validation from the National Jury, can take up to 3 months.

How much does it cost to be certified?

Green Key costs are listed below and apply to all properties, unless there is a global agreement in place between the hotel group and Green Key Intarional. Please send an email to greenkey@emiratesgbc.org to request a letter of quotation.

Admin fees: AED 500 (one time only)
Audit fees: AED 2,500 (Year 1, Year 2, then every 3rd year i.e. Year 5, Year 8…)
Annual fees: AED 4,500 to be paid after certification is approved by the Jury and before we can send the collaterals (plaque, yearly sticker, official certificate).

When will my property be audited ?

Hotels that are planning to be Green Key certified are audited on Year 1, Year 2 and every third year (i.e. Year 5, Year 8, …).
As National Operator however, we are entitled to visit your property at any time to ensure that all Green Key standards remain to the highest level.