The international “Green Key” eco-label, which distinguishes tourist establishments for their
environmental performance, has just been awarded to 6 new candidates in Brussels, bringing to 28
the number of facilities in the Brussels-Capital Region with the label. 80% youth hostels and
accommodation centres for young people in Brussels recognised by the French Community
Commission (COCOF) now have the “Green Key” label.

Sustainability is known to be a further important feature of tourism today, with institutional buyers
(for conferences) and some visitors (holiday makers) seeking “green” products. In response to this
phenomenon, eco-labels and other accreditations have proliferated, at the risk of spreading
confusion. In order to support the hotel industry and other types of tourist facilities in the BrusselsCapital region, Christos Doulkeridis, Brussels Minister for Tourism, wanted to adopt a clear,
recognised label which would see Brussels positioned as a sustainable destination by 2014. At the
end of 2010, following a process of reflection and independent analysis, he opted for the
international “Green Key” label represented in Wallonia and Brussels by the Inter-Environment
Association for Wallonia (IEW).
The Green Key label operates based on a system of mandatory criteria[1], which candidates must
satisfy in full, and optional criteria, in respect of which candidates must gain a minimum of one third
of the total points at stake. Establishments awarded the label, therefore, comply with a series of
requirements in a number of fields and are distinguished by the measures they undertake in order to
satisfy the optional criteria. Green Key labels are awarded twice a year for a period of one year and
establishments must demonstrate continuous improvement from one year to the next in terms of
environmental management.
The Brussels hotel sector currently has almost 2,500 “Green Key” rooms, representing almost 16% of
the hotel rooms recognised by COCOF. In terms of accommodation for young people, almost 80% of
[1] In order to be accredited, Green Key candidates must satisfy criteria relating to water, energy and waste
management, the promotion of eco-friendly transport and activities in the natural environment, cleaning,
catering, the management of green spaces and the interior environment, administration and office facilities,
environmental management in general and information to and involvement of customers and staff. The label
combines environmental performance criteria (strictly eco-label criteria) and environmental management (EMS
criteria).the capacity is accredited, with the label now awarded to 4 out of 5 Brussels hostels and centres
recognised by COCOF, i.e. 4/5ths of the available beds.
Below is a list of establishments accredited in the “first round” of 2013 together with one example
for each of a good environmental practice – amongst numerous others – justifying their
accreditation:
 The Diamant Brussels Conference & Business Centre (80 Bd. A. Reyerslaan, 1030 Brussels –
http://www.diamant.be): conference centre with 20 meeting rooms, located between the
European District and Zaventem Airport, which is distinguished inter alia by initiatives in
terms of sustainable food and in particular the number of vegetarian dishes available to
visitors.
 The B&B Chambre Chocolat (145 rue de la Cambre, 1150 Brussels –
http://www.bruxelleschambredhote.net/): bed and breakfast located a stone’s throw from
Montgomery Square, which offers more sustainable solutions in terms of energy (high
performance boiler and solar panels) and transport (provision of bicycles for visitors to use).
 Le Méridien Bruxelles (3 Carrefour de l’Europe, 1000 Brussels –
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=19
14): hotel located in the centre of the city, which has developed interesting initiatives in
particular in relation to waste (recycling bins for toiletries and food packaging) and transport
(reduction for guests using public transport).
 The Brussels Generation Europe Youth Hostel (4 rue de l’Eléphant, 1080 Brussels –
http://www.lesaubergesdejeunesse.be/Bruxelles-Generation-Europe,302?lang=fr): youth
hostel in Molenbeek, near the Saint-Géry district, which is distinguished inter alia by its
policy in terms of societal responsibility and the steps taken to reduce water consumption
significantly.
 The Foyer Européen (17 rue Traversière, 1210 Brussels – http://www.etr-brussels.be): centre
located near the botanical gardens, which provides accommodation for European students
and is distinguished by rational water management (use of rain water, restriction on flow
rates) and a green roof.
 The Sleep Well Youth Hostel (23 rue du Damier, 1000 Brussels – http://www.sleepwell.be): located
5 minutes from the Grand Place, this youth hostel is distinguished in particular by the local,
organic and fair trade products available to guests and the use of renewable energy (100 %
green electricity).
In addition, seven establishments had their accreditation renewed: the Radisson Blu Royal (47 Rue
du Fossé-aux-Loups, 1000 Brussels) and the Radisson Blu EU (35 rue d’Idalie, 1050 Brussels), the
Auberge des 3 Fontaines (2057 chaussée de Wavre, 1160 Brussels), the BiHome B&B (15 avenue
Maréchal Foch, 1030 Brussels), the Stanhope hotel (9 rue du Commerce, 1000 Brussels), the hotel
Dolce La Hulpe Brussels (135 chaussée de Bruxelles, 1310 La Hulpe), the hotel Le Plaza (118-126
boulevard Adolphe Max, 1000 Brussels).
Supported in particular by the Brussels Hotels Association (BHA), this initiative is managed by
the Inter-Environment Association for Wallonia, official partner of the FEE for Brussels and Wallonia,
in close collaboration with Wallonie-Bruxelles Tourisme (WBT), VISITBRUSSELS,Brussels Booking Desk (BBD) and the trade associations Hostels in Brussels, Bed &
Brussels and Brussels Special Venue, as well as the Brussels tourist department in COCOF.