CNN Begs the Question: What Does Green Mean?

From new developments to old renovations, properties worldwide are staking claim to be “green certified”. But what does this really mean, and how can it be trusted?
According to CNN this week, average guests will often not notice a “property’s efforts to reduce its impact on the environment.” And while eco-certification should be a tell-tale [...]

From new developments to old renovations, properties worldwide are staking claim to be “green certified”. But what does this really mean, and how can it be trusted?

According to CNN this week, average guests will often not notice a “property’s efforts to reduce its impact on the environment.” And while eco-certification should be a tell-tale sign of a property’s environmental promises, “dozens of countries, several U.S. states, and a number of industries have their own labeling programs with varying standards, so it’s difficult to know just how green your hotel really is,” while some properties are pursuing their own accreditation standards.

So far, 118 hotels that have registered for LEED certification, with only one hotel — the Gaia Napa Valley — earning the Gold certificate (the highest level). But what can be done to ensure that you, the traveler, benefit from a truly environmentally -friendly hotel stay? The answer, according to CNN, is research. Find out what the property has done to reduce carbon emissions and waste, how it conserves energy and water consumption, and whether or not it promotes programs that support its community.

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