More hotels now in Green Globe 21

More hotels now in Green Globe 21

DENPASAR: Eighteen members of the Bali Hotels Association were inducted recently into the Green Globe 21 Standards program as affiliate members, with the international certification system now having 24 members.

Affiliate status indicates members have a commitment to better environments, better communities and better business. Green Globe 21 is an internationally recognized benchmarking, certification and improvement system that steers members on a path to sustainable travel and tourism. It is based on sustainable development principles endorsed by 182 heads of state at the United Nations' 1992 Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit.

The 18 newly inducted hotel association members include Alila Manggis, Alila Ubud, Amandari, Amanikla, Bali Dynasty Resort, Balihai Resort & Spa, Conrad Bali Resort & Spa, Discovery Kartika Plaza, Kayumanis Private Villas & Spa, Maya Ubud Resort & Spa, Novotel Coralia Benoa Bali, Ritz-Carlton, Bali, Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa, Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel & Suites, Sofitel Seminyak Bali, The Bale, The Legian, The Westin Resort and Uma Ubud.

The Bali Hilton International, Bali Hyatt, Melia Bali Villas & Spa, Melia Benoa All Inclusive Resort, The Oberoi were already benchmarked or certified earlier.

Last year the association's environmental director Amanda Pummer encouraged the members to enroll in the Green Globe 21 as saying,"The idea is to give our destination a competitive advantage by demonstrating our commitment to environmental members."

Environmental performance is assessed against benchmarks or baselines in sustainability policy; energy consumption; water consumption; solid waste production; greenhouse gas emissions; social commitment; resource conservation and cleaning chemical use.

All levels of Green Globe 21 participation require annual renewal, benchmarking and certification. A resort can work toward targets over time, committing to continual improvement. --JP