Green Key Trinidad and Tobago
Green Key is an international sustainability certification programme for tourism establishments. Since 1994, it has supported the tourism sector in improving environmental performance and promoting more responsible and sustainable operations.
The programme is operated by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) together with its national member organisations. Green Key is open to a wide range of tourism businesses: hotels and hostels, small accommodations, campsites, holiday parks, conference centres, restaurants and cafés, and attractions (museums, visitor and interpretation centres and amusement parks).
Green Key provides a structured framework to help establishments manage and improve their sustainability practices, including environmental, social, and operational aspects. Conformity with the Green Key requirements is assessed through documentation and on-site audits carried out by independent third-party auditors. The final certification decision is taken by an independent Certification Body within the certification system.
The Green Key certification scheme is currently undergoing an approval process with DANAK, the Danish Accreditation Body, member of the International Accreditation Forum.
Once certified, establishments may communicate their Green Key certification during its validity period. For guests, the Green Key certificate indicates that the establishment has been assessed against defined sustainability criteria and is working to improve its environmental and social performance.
Green Key officially aims to:
- Increase the use of environmentally friendly and sustainable methods of operation and technology in establishments and thereby reduce the overall use of resources.
- Raise awareness and create behavioural changes in guests, staff and suppliers of individual tourism establishments.
- Increase the use of environmentally friendly and sustainable methods and raise awareness to create behavioural changes in the hospitality and tourism industry overall.
What does it mean to be a Green Key certified establishment?
1. The establishment has instituted environmental best practices and is internationally recognised.
2. It means that staff are aware of environmental best practices and are involved in the achievement of the establishment’s environmental goals.
3. The establishment is engaging local community members and are positively impacting the community.
4. The establishment is encouraging guests to engage in responsible travel and are providing them with opportunities to be more environmentally friendly.
5. The establishment is contributing nationally to water and energy conservation efforts and to waste reduction.
Green T&T is the National Coordinator for Green Key in Trinidad and Tobago. We work with accommodation facilities, restaurants and attractions to achieve the international Green Key certification. The Green Key programme is managed by the Foundation for Environmental Education, a non-governmental, non-profit organization promoting sustainable development through environmental education.
Green Key Criteria Update and Application Process
Green Key has introduced updated certification criteria for the period 2026–2031. Hotels planning to apply from September 2026 onward will be required to transition to these updated criteria. While the standards are consistent globally, some countries may apply stricter national requirements.
Please note that the application process will eventually move to the BeCause portal. However, as the portal is currently operating under the previous application process, applicants are advised to wait for further updates before proceeding.
For more information on the updated criteria and application process, please visit the official Green Key page:Green Key — Certification Criteria 2026-2031.
Who can apply?
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Hotels and hostels
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Campsites and holiday parks
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Small accommodations
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Conference centres
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Restaurants
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Attractions
- All Six Categories
Use the Green Key criteria support documents
In addition to the criteria catalogue, and the Green Key toolbox (available for applicant establishments), two additional documents will help you understand how the criteria apply to your establishment.
This Scope of Certification document explains which services and facilities are included in the certification. Download the document here.
The Glossary document provides definitions of key terms and concepts used in the Green Key criteria, helping you interpret the requirements correctly. Download the document here.
Understand conformity with imperative and guideline criteria
The Green Key criteria catalogue consists of imperative and guideline criteria. An applicant establishment must conform will all imperative criteria and an increasing number of guideline criteria during the years of re-certification:
The certification is valid for two years, after which establishments must apply for recertification.
To help you navigate the changes between the criteria, a comparison of the old and new criteria can be downloaded here.
Notes on the transition period from Green Key criteria 2022-2026 to 2026-2031
With the introduction of the Green Key Criteria 2026–2031, a transition period will apply to ensure a smooth change from the previous criteria set.
New applicants
From the publication of the new criteria, all new applicants are expected to begin their certification process based on the Green Key Criteria 2026–2031.
Important: Establishments may still decide to apply under the previous criteria after this deadline, but this will be at their own risk. In such cases, there is a possibility that the certification process will not be completed before the transition deadline, and the establishment may therefore need to switch to the new criteria during the application process.
Green Key therefore strongly recommends that new applicants follow the new Green Key criteria 2026-2031.
Re-applicants (Re-certification)
During the transition from the Green Key Criteria 2022–2026 to the Green Key Criteria
2026–2031, establishments applying for recertification may have two options:
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apply for recertification using the previous Green Key Criteria 2022–2026 until a specified deadline, or
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apply directly under the new Green Key Criteria 2026–2031.
As the exact transition process and deadlines may vary between countries, establishments are encouraged to contact their national Green Key responsible office (National Operator) to understand the specific procedure and timelines that apply to them.
If you are unsure who to contact, you may also reach out to Green Key International, who can help direct you to the appropriate national contact.
Need help? Green Key contact
In case of any questions regarding the Green Key criteria, certification process or eligibility of your establishment, please contact Green Key International or Green Key at greenkey@green-tt.org for more information.
How to Apply
General Application Process
- The establishment contacts Green Key at greenkey@green-tt.org
- The establishment sends the completed application form and pays the participation fees
- The establishment receives an on-site visit by an auditor
- If approved, the awarded establishment receives the plaque with sticker and the certificate (and a flag can be purchased)
- For more details click here: New application process
For applicants in Tobago accessing assistance from the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited
- Applicant contacts the Tobago Tourism Agency Ltd. (TTAL)
- Applicant submits application Forms which is reviewed by Green T&T
- Applicant prepares for Green Key Audit
- For more details click here: TTAL Application process