Eco-management systems are developed by specialists. They are based on many criteria, which ensure that the business is lead in an environment-friendly way. There are also guidelines, which help in the implementation of eco-management systems. As eco-management systems are developed by high-level specialists, they may be a source of a great prestige for companies which implement them. For the same reason guests will appreciate businesses more, when run in an environment-friendly way and by using eco-management systems. As implementation of eco-management system means regular controls and being certified for several years it is also a cmessage for guests that your business is reliable. This all translates into better competitiveness of business. Furthermore, it is easier for a company to implement eco-management by using ready eco-management system developed by specialist. Below you will find leading eco-management systems and certificates available in Europe described.
– ISO 14001 Environmental management system is addressed to all sorts of businesses and organisations. Participating operators must implement guidelines, which when adhered to provide guarantee of environment-friendly business operations. That is achieved by inter alia, reduction of waste, energy and other resources savings. A certificate confirms compliance with ISO 14001 standard.
http://www.iso.org/iso/home/standards/management-standards/iso14000.htm
– ISO 26000 provides guidance for businesses and organisations in the field of corporate social responsibility (CSR). They help operators understand what CSR is about, what concrete actions they may take and give examples of best practice. ISO 26000 standard provides guidance not guidelines hence no certificate is awarded.
http://www.iso.org/iso/home/standards/iso26000.htm
– EMAS (The European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) an instrument of environmental management drafted by the European Commission for businesses and organisations wishing to assess their environmental impact and improve their performance in this area. EMAS spans all economic and service sectors and is applicable worldwide. Being a part of the scheme requires periodic renewal of registration and regular controls hence the certificate is reliable information to customers of a given operator. As being EMAS certified links to complying with many rigorous norms (compared to ISO 14001 standard, EMAS requirements include 4 elements more), the certificate gives an operator unquestionable prestige.
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/emas/index_en.htm
– EU Ecolabel European Ecolabel certificate helps identify products/services and services that have a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle. Recognised in Europe, Ecolabel is a credible label applied to products and services, which are genuinely environmentally friendly.
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/index_en.htm
– The Green Key is an independent, non-governmental certification system for hotels, restaurants and other tourist establishments initiated in Scandinavian countries. Its objective is to raise environmental awareness of staff and guests of such establishments, promote sustainable technologies and methods of operation contributing to sustainable development and corporate social responsibility as well as to reduce the consumption of natural resources and energy. Certification is valid for one year after which a certificate must be updated. Establishments, which have got it or are applying for it, are controlled twice a year. If the outcome of checks is negative, the certificate is withdrawn.
http://www.green-key.org.pl/procedura-aplikacyjna.html
http://www.visitdenmark.pl/pl/dania/hotels/zielony-klucz-znak-ekologii
– Green Globe is a global certification scheme for sustainable tourism addressed to, inter alia, hotels, conference centres and tourist attractions. High reputation of the certificate is confirmed by the fact that businesses which apply for it are assessed against 300 criteria connected with sustainable management, effective management of natural resources, environmental protection, and support to local community and promotion of local culture. The certificate must be renewed every year.
– Travelife is an international certification scheme from the Netherlands, similar to the Green Globe scheme. It is addressed to hotels and other similar establishments but also to travel agents and tour operators. Certification is divided into three stages, which end with the granting of Travelife Certified status.
http://www.travelife.info/index.php?lang=pl
– Green Tourism (The Green Tourism Business Scheme) a non-profit organisation running a certification scheme for operators who implement sustainable development principles. It is particularly active in the UK, Ireland and Canada.
http://www.green-tourism.com/about-us/
– Membership in the International Tourism Partnership (ITP). ITP brings together all international leading hotel companies in their efforts for environment-friendly and socially responsible hotel industry. Members of the Partnership try to demonstrate and convince other operators in the tourism industry (by showing best practices, offering products and programmes and promoting sustainable development) that environmental and social responsibility makes a good business sense.
http://www.tourismpartnership.org/
– NOCO2 Certification Certificate for businesses, which confirms that they have measured and offset the CO2 emissions they are responsible for. Companies unable to become 100% environmentally neutral with regard to CO2 emissions can apply for LOWCO2 Certification. On top of that, there is Carbon Neutral Events certificate, which is to ensure measuring CO2 emissions during various events organised by a hotel/restaurant (training courses, conferences, business meetings and other) and its maximum possible reduction.
http://www.noco2.com.au/certify/business/NoCO2-carbon-neutral-certification
http://www.noco2.com.au/certify/business/LowCO2-low-carbon-certification
http://www.noco2.com.au/certify/business/carbon-neutral-events
– Slow Food is an international non-profit organisation operating since 1986. It protects regional food produced in traditional environment-friendly way. Restaurants buying/ producing such food may apply for Slow Food certificate.
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.