Add your sustainability practices

Google is introducing a way for hotel owners to highlight their sustainability practices to environmentally-conscious consumers. There’s a growing trend of consumers caring more and more about the environmental impact of their purchases. They’re increasingly seeking out information to help them make more informed and responsible decisions.

Instructions

You can add your hotel’s sustainability practices through your Google Business Profile. Choose from a list of options across 4 categories, and indicate if you’ve received any eco certifications. Attributes and certifications will appear on the hotel placesheet in the “Sustainability” section based on what you’ve reported.

Sustainability practices

These are the attributes which you're able to select in Business Profile. They have been carefully considered and selected to best summarize common and most impactful practices across the industry.

Energy efficiency

Green building design Energy conservation program Energy use audited by an independent organization

Energy from carbon-free sources Energy-efficient heating and cooling systems Energy-efficient lighting

Energy-saving thermostats Electric car charging stations

Water conservation

Water use audited by an independent organization

Water-efficient faucets, toilets, and showers

Towel and linen reuse program

Waste reduction

Recycling program Food waste reduction program Donates and composts excess food Soap and toiletry donation program

Safely handles hazardous substances Safely disposes of electronics, batteries, and lightbulbs Refillable toiletry containers Water bottle filling stations

Compostable food containers and cutlery No Styrofoam food containers No single-use plastic water bottles or straws

Sustainable sourcing

Responsible purchasing policy Organic food and beverages Locally sourced food and beverages

Responsibly sourced seafood Organic cage-free eggs

Vegetarian and vegan meals Eco-friendly toiletries

Eco certifications

Eco certifications are granted to hotels that meet sustainability criteria designated by a third-party certification agency. Eco certifications also serve as a signal to help consumers and the broader community know that your hotel is actively working to make a positive environmental impact in the world.

When a hotel is labeled “eco-certified” on Google, it means they have reported earning a certification from an agency that Google has identified as meeting the following standards:

1. The agency must use globally recognized and reputed criteria to evaluate the hotel.
2. The evaluation must focus on environmental impact from at least these 4 categories:
   • Energy efficiency
   • Water conservation
   • Waste reduction
   • Sustainable sourcing
3. The agency must conduct an on-site audit to verify the hotel's sustainability practices, or use an independent third party to do so.

Note: Google does not verify the certification status of each hotel.

List of eco certifications

Currently, the following eco certifications meet our standards. Each has comprehensive and rigorous sustainability criteria that aims to reduce a hotel’s carbon footprint.

• Asian Ecotourism Standard for Accommodations (AESA)
• Biosphere Responsible Tourism Standard
• BREEAM
• Bureau Veritas
• Control Union
• EarthCheck
• Eco-Certification Malta Standard
• Ecotourism Australia’s ECO Certification Standard
• GREAT Green Deal Certification
• Green Globe
• Green Growth 2050 Standard
• Green Key
• Green Key Eco Rating Program
• Green Seal
• Green Star Hotel Standard
• Green Tourism Active Standard
• Hilton LightStay
• Hostelling International’s Quality and Sustainability Standard
• Hoteles más Verdes (AHT) Standard
• ISO 14001
• ISO 50001
• LEED
• Nordic Swan Ecolabel
• Preferred by Nature Sustainable Tourism Standard for Accommodation
• Sustainable Travel Ireland – GSTC Industry Criteria
• TOFTigers Initiative’s PUG Standard
• Travelife Standard for Hotels & Accommodations
• United Certification Systems Limited
• Vireo Srl

If your eco certification agency is not listed, have them complete our interest form.

Sustainability terms defined

Because sustainability terms can have a number of meanings, we’re sharing more context for a few sustainability practices you’ll find in Business Profile. Google uses the following terms and definitions to align sustainability practices across our hotels.

Energy from carbon-free sources

Your property sources carbon-free electricity via one or more of the following methods:

• On-site clean energy generation
• Power purchase agreement(s) with clean energy generators
• Green power provided by an electricity supplier
• Purchases of Energy Attribute Certificates, such as Renewable Energy Certificates or Guarantees of Origin

Locally sourced food and beverages

Your property sources locally in order to lower the environmental footprint with reduced transportation and to stimulate the local economy. Products produced less than 62 miles from the establishment are normally considered locally produced.

Organic cage-free eggs

Your property sources 100% certified organic and cage-free eggs (shell, liquid, and egg products). Cage-free means hens are able to walk, spread their wings, and lay their eggs in nests.

Eco-friendly toiletries

Soap, shampoo, lotion, and other toiletries provided for guests have a nationally or internationally recognized sustainability certification, such as USDA Organic, EU Organic, or cruelty-free.

Responsibly sourced seafood

Your property doesn’t source seafood from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch “avoid” list, and must sustainably source seafood listed as “good alternative”, “eco-certified”, and “best choice”. Your property has a policy outlining a commitment to source Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and/or Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Chain of Custody certified seafood.

To learn more about Google’s sustainability efforts, visit our Sustainability site.