An introduction to the climate emergency and the benefits of Green Key: an online event for Glasgow’s hospitality sector.

Public concern about sustainability is growing and many consumers already consider environmental performance when choosing hospitality venues. And with Glasgow set to welcome the COP26 climate change conference this autumn, the eyes of the world will be on the city and sustainable hospitality as never before.

And climate change will lead to changes in technology, laws and markets that have been described as similar in scale to the industrial revolution. New risks, opportunities and responsibilities will create significant disruption for the hospitality sector, which will in turn create business winners and losers.

As the hospitality sector rebuilds after Covid-19, we have an opportunity to work together towards a green recovery that can benefit both environment and business.  

Green Key is the leading global eco-label operating in 65 countries worldwide to support and recognise environmental excellence in hotels, restaurants and venues. In addition to demonstrating your sustainability credentials with a globally recognised award, Green Key gives you a comprehensive framework for continual environmental improvement. And it can help your business save money by improving efficiency.  

We are delighted to operate Green Key in Scotland and invite you to join us for this one-hour webinar and find out more about: 

• The climate emergency, why it matters and dramatic changes ahead for Scotland over the next 10 years. 
• Opportunities for businesses to benefit from the growing collaboration across Scotland’s tourism sector through Tourism Declares. 
• Practical actions hospitality leaders need be taking now to help navigate the climate emergency and work towards a green recovery from Covid-19.
• The benefits of Green Key, and its role in improving environmental performance, cost benefits and enhancing sustainability credentials for an increasingly environmentally conscious market. 

The session will be chaired by Aileen Crawford, Head of Glasgow Convention Bureau who will be talking with Jeremy Smith, Co-founder of Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency, Alastair Seaman, Climate Change Manager, Keep Scotland Beautiful and Aoife Hutton, Climate Change Officer, Keep Scotland Beautiful.  The webinar will include an interactive Q&A session. 

This event has been organised by Keep Scotland Beautiful and Glasgow Convention Bureau for the Glasgow hospitality sector, but it is open to hospitality businesses across Scotland.

The event will take place on Friday 14 May 13:00-14:00. Spaces are free, but must be booked in advance via Eventbrite.

**Registration is now closed, but we will share a recording of the event in due course**

More about the speakers:

• Aileen Crawford is Head of Glasgow Convention Bureau. Glasgow was the first UK city to join the Global Destination Sustainability Index in 2016, currently ranking 4th in the world of sustainable conference cities. The Glasgow is the world’s first Convention Bureau to join Tourism Declares in 2021.
• Alastair Seaman is Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Climate Change Manager. He’s an experienced environmental leader with experience in the business and charitable sectors both in the UK and internationally.
• Aoife Hutton is a Climate Change Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful. She leads with the delivery of Green Key and Climate Emergency Training for leaders in the business, public and community sectors.
• Jeremy Smith is Co-founder of Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency. He co-ordinates overall strategy and is leading the development of three Climate Action Blueprints – for accommodation, tour operators and destinations – to be launched at COP26.