Green Hotel Certification Pilot Program
With third party accreditation by Audubon International/Green Leaf, lodges in New York State can proudly display their green certification to their guests and gain a significant marketing advantage. Moreover, lodges can see a reduction in their energy, waste disposal, and other environmentally-related business expenses by participating in the program.
Governor's Green Hospitality & Tourism Initiative is pleased to unveil the NYS Green Hotel Certification Pilot Program. A "Freshman Class" of 43 hotels have been admitted to the pilot. Each hotel will receive a Green-Leaf Rating to recognize their commitments to water quality and conservation, waste reduction, resource conservation, and energy efficiency.
Pilot Program Benefits
- Hotels receive public recognition and marketing benefits as an environmental leader
- Third-party, credible verification by a non-profit environmental group
- Easy identification as an environmentally-friendly hotel for millions of travelers
- Structure, information, tools and advice to reduce operating costs
- Enhanced job satisfaction and increased morale for staff through their involvement
The effort is being led by the DEC in partnership with NYS Hospitality and Tourism Association, NYS Restaurant Association, I Love NY, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, NYS Department of Labor, NYS Office of Parks & Recreation, NYS Energy Research & Development Authority, and NYS Pollution Prevention Institute.
What is Green Certification?
Green certification evaluates and recognizes pre-determined requirements or criteria for environmental performance. It is generally based on things like a business's carbon footprint, waste generation, conservation and/or appropriate use of natural resources.
Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Holderied,
Proprietor of the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort
Installing a Green Roof. Also called
"eco-roofs" or "sky gardens," green roofs
help lower your energy bills, keep air and
water clean, and dampen outdoor noise
pollution. Green roofs usually are made
with plants and grasses that are weather
tolerant to your zone.
The Freshman Class
We welcome our first round of hoteliers into the program this summer. Forty-three lodges are admitted into the pilot program, representing hotels of various sizes from across the state. The Freshman Class will receive assistance from Audubon and the Pollution Prevention Institute to analyze and improve their environmental performance. Contact information for the Freshman Class (pdf, 34 kb) can be found on our website.
How to Stay Involved
Hoteliers, be sure to check back for more information on green hotel tips, special events, updates, and stories from the Freshman Class. The Green Hotel Certification Program is just getting started and promises to offer opportunities for non-enrolled innkeepers.
For More Information
To find out more about the pilot program, go to Audubon International's website (see link in right navigation panel under "Offsite Links").
The Greener Picture
The Pilot is just the first step towards strengthening the green hospitality industry. "Green Hospitality and Tourism Partnership" works with New York businesses throughout the hospitality industry - restaurants, hotels, resorts, state parks, and golf courses.
The partnership includes the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NYS Hospitality and Tourism Association, NYS Restaurant Association, I Love NY, NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets, NYS Department of Labor, NYS Office of Parks & Recreation, NYS Energy Research & Development Authority, and the NYS Pollution Prevention Institute.
Green Tourism
Green tourism is essential to promote our state's unique assets and economic sustainability. The Green Hospitality and Tourism Partnership will continue to work with businesses to:
- Establish green benchmarking and NY-recognized certification for NY State hospitality industry businesses.
- Boost the tourism sector's economic and environmental performance in the areas of green supply chain research and development, assistance and incentive programs, workforce training and education, and stewardship of New York State's unparalleled natural resources.
- Market businesses through I Love NY, including dedicated space on I Love NY website.
More about Green Hotel Certification Pilot Program:
- NY's Certified Green Hotels - The "Freshman Class" of the NY Certified Green Hotels
