Green Globe Certification: Acting according to international standards

Green Globe is a certification body that certifies the sustainability of companies on the basis of internationally recognised criteria. It is rooted in "Agenda 21". The guiding principles set out in the Agenda are designed to promote the sustainable development of the economy and environment, and were recognised by 182 countries at the 1992 UN summit.

Green Globe was initially limited to the certification of companies in the travel and tourism industry. In conjunction with the European Association of Event Centres (EVVC), Green Globe extended the certification procedure to event venues and congress centres.

Green Globe has members from over 90 countries. In Germany, the internationally recognised environmental and sustainability seal has been awarded to 76 companies to date.

The certification system

The Green Globe certification system is demanding but also very practical and exclusively internet-based. At least 51 percent of the criteria must be met to receive the certificate. An independent auditor verifies the information. The results are filed in a database and can be retrieved at any time. An audit is performed every two years. This way, participants not only receive a certificate, but also become part of an optimisation and improvement process related to sustainability.

The criteria

The assessment criteria for Green Globe certification are comprised of social, ecological and economic aspects related to the sustainability principle. They are dynamic and are revised, updated and supplemented by a scientific advisory board two times per year. Web-based documentation also allows each participant to view the assessment of all other participants. A ranking list is also created.