As we close out 2025, it’s clear that this year marked a defining chapter for Green Key Global and for sustainability leadership across the hospitality industry.
Momentum was the headline. Purpose was the driver. Impact was the result!
A Movement in Motion
As 2025 draws to a close, we are taking a moment to look back at a year that can only be described as remarkable. We listened, observed and responded to the market needs by meeting hotels where they are at in their journey, while also ensuring that our program is underpinned by global best practices, and they’ve responded!
In partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Hotel Association of Canada (HAC), Green Key Global has not just grown, we sparked serious discussions and interest in sustainability certification across North America. From independent boutique hotels to massive management groups, the industry has sent a clear message this year, sustainability is no longer a “nice-to-have”, it is a strategic driver of business success in hotel industry.
Breaking Milestones and Expanding Reach
The numbers tell a compelling story. In 2025, we are very proud to announce that we grew our membership base to more than 2,000 hotel members. Our sustainability footprint now spans 49 U.S. states and 13 Canadian provinces and territories!
But this growth isn’t just about quantity; it is about commitment. We conducted more than 400 audits, with the majority of our member hotels achieving 3 and 4 Key ratings, and a growing cohort reaching the top tier with 5-Keys. Sustainability is no longer aspirational; it’s now operational.
We saw leadership from major players, with groups like Fairmont (Accor), Le Germain and Hersha Hotels as well as Northwood Hospitality, Ensemble Group and ZS Holdings achieving 100% Eco-Rating certification across their entire portfolios, reinforcing the value of certification as a strategic business standard.
This year, we strengthened Green Key Global’s position as the industry benchmark for credible, hotel-focused certification. We forged major new brand partnerships with industry leaders including Wyndham, Sonesta, and Loews. We have also partnered with Hotel Equities (HEI) and Sage Hospitality Group. These organizations recognize that certification is more than a badge, it is a tool that enhances a brand’s reputation, drives operational cost savings, and increases the competitiveness of RFP responses.
United from Coast to Coast
Collaboration was a defining theme of 2025. This year, we truly connected the continent. By strengthening alliances with Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) and regional associations, we have ensured that our members have local support and global visibility.
We are now covered from coast to coast across North America:
- In the United States: Our reach extends from the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) in the East to Visit Tucson and the California Hotel & Lodging Association (CHLA) in the West
- In Canada: We have bridged the gap from the Association Hôtellerie du Québec (AHQ) in the East, to the Niagara Falls Canada Hotel Association (NFCHA) in Ontario, all the way to the British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) in the West
New Launches and Expanded Ecosystems
2025 was also a year of innovation. We launched Green Key Ready, a stepping-stone program that already has over 80 members advancing toward full certification.
Green Key Meetings now supports 150+ meeting-focused hotels, embedding sustainability into group and events strategy.
We, at Green Key Global are always looking for opportunities to enhance member value. One such initiative has been our Vendor Program. The purpose of the program is to build out a community of sustainability-minded vendors that provide exclusive offers to members. We expanded from a modest 15 partners to a thriving ecosystem of 75+ sustainability solution-providing vendors. This network is now a vital resource, connecting hotels with a trusted ecosystem to move faster, reduce costs, and implement change with confidence.
Real-World Impact
Beyond the boardroom, our members made a tangible difference for the planet. Through our partnership with One Tree Planted, Green Key Global has planted 11,714 trees. To visualize that impact, imagine a forest the size of 24 American football fields (approx. 12 hectares). Over the coming decades, these trees will sequester hundreds of tonnes of CO₂, leaving a legacy that lasts far beyond a fiscal year! Sustainability leadership, at scale, compounds.
Join the Momentum in 2026
We are proud of these milestones, and we are not slowing down. We have ambitious plans to reach even higher in 2026, and we want you with us.
New data pathways, deeper vendor integrations, stronger brand alignment, and expanded partnerships are already in motion. The hotels and partners who lead next year will be the ones who act now.
If you’re a hotel or management group, now is the time to register or renew your Green Key Eco-Rating Certification and turn sustainability into competitive advantage.
If you’re a solution provider, join our Vendor Program and reach the decision-makers driving real change across the industry.
Thank you for a brilliant 2025, and it proved what’s possible. 2026 is about going further but together. Let’s build it!!
Happy New Year!