The Green Tourism Business Scheme is the national sustainable tourism certification scheme for the UK. Originally developed in partnership with Visit Scotland, it is now the only certification scheme validated by Visit Britain, through the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT).
Businesses opting to join Green Tourism are assessed by a qualified grading advisor against a rigorous set of criteria, covering a range of areas, like energy and water efficiency, waste management, biodiversity and more. Those businesses that meet the required standard, receive a Bronze, Silver, or Gold award based on their level of achievement.
Each business is scored on up to 60 measures
Compulsory - compliance with environmental legislation and a commitment to continuous improvement in environmental performance
Management and Marketing - demonstrating good environmental management, including staff awareness, specialist training, monitoring, and record keeping
Social Involvement and Communication of environmental actions to customers through variety of channels and range of actions, e.g. green policy, promotion of environmental efforts on the website, education, and community and social projects
Energy - efficiency of lighting, heating and appliance, insulation and renewable energy use
Water - efficiency - e.g. good maintenance, low-consumption appliances, flush offset, rainwater harvesting, as well as using eco-cleaners
Purchasing - environmentally friendly goods and services, e.g. products made from recycled materials, use and promotion of local food and drink, and use of FSC wood products
Waste - minimisation by encouraging, the 'eliminate, reduce, reuse, recycle' principle, e.g. glass, paper, card, plastic and metal recycling; supplier take-back agreements; dosing systems; and composting
Transport - aims to minimise visitors car use by promoting local and national public transport service, cycle hire, local walking and cycling option, and use of alternative fuels
Natural and Cultural Heritage - on site measures aimed at increasing biodiversity, e.g. wildlife gardening, growing native species, nesting boxes, as well as providing information for visitors on the wildlife on and around the site
Innovation - any good and best practice actions to increase a business’s sustainability that are not covered else where