Hotel Sustainability Audit

Run this Hotel Sustainability Audit from Process Street at regular intervals to assess your hotel companies sustainability attainment.

Introduction:

Record checklist details

Section A: Demonstrate Effective Sustainable Management:

A1 Sustainability Management System

A2 Legal compliance

A3 Reporting and communication

A4 Staff engagement

A5 Customer experience

A6 Accurate promotion

A7 Building and infrastructure

A8 Land water and property rights

A9 Information and interpretation

A10 Destination engagement

Section B: Maximize Social and Economic Benefits to the Local Community and Minimize Negative Impacts:

B1 Community support

B2 Local employment

B3 Local purchasing

B4 Local entrepreneurs

B5 Exploitation and harassment

B6 Equal opportunity

B7 Decent work

B8 Community services

B9 Local livelihoods

Section C: Maximize Benefits to Cultural Heritage and Minimize Negative Impacts:

C1 Cultural interactions

C2 Protecting cultural heritage

C3 Presenting cultural heritage

C4 Artifacts

Section D: Maximize Benefits to the Environment and Minimize Negative Impacts:

D1 Conserving resources

D2 Reducing pollution

D3 Conserving biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes

Report Generation:

Audit completion

Hotel Sustainability Audit results

Your report

Approval:

Email report to related stakeholders

Export the report

Sources:

Related Checklists:

Introduction:

Process Street - Hotel Sustainability Audit

Process Street's Hotel Sustainability Audit outlines specific criteria and performance indicators which act to construct a sustainable business.

This Hotel Sustainability Audit is made up of four sections:

Section A: Demonstrate Effective Sustainable Management
Section B: Maximize Social and Economic Benefits to the Local Community and Minimize Negative Impacts
Section C: Maximize Benefits to Cultural Heritage and Minimize Negative Impacts
Section D: Maximize Benefits to the Environment and Minimize Negative Impacts

Process Street's Hotel Sustainability Audit has been designed to adhere to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council Criteria for Tourism Industry version 3, December 2016. The outlined criteria, in each of these four sections, design a minimum standard for Hotel businesses to achieve sustainability.

Defined as the 'capacity to endure, to maintain a process or situation over time', sustainability as a discipline can be incorporated into a business strategy, to ensure prolonged business success in a changing climate.

In addition, global data shows that over 60% of millennial consumers are opting for greener alternatives. Ensuring that business sustainability is achieved must, therefore, be a priority.

This audit provides a structured, quick and straightforward way for any hotel business to internally assess the sustainability of their operations. Areas for improvement and areas of success are automatically reported on at the end of this audit.

We recommend continual assessment of your hotel's sustainability, therefore running this audit at least once every financial year.

Process Street's 'Hotel Sustainability Audit' has been specifically designed to aid you in building an environmentally, people friendly, and sustainable hotel business.

At the beginning of this audit, you will be presented with a set of specialized questions that are designed to determine a hotel's level of sustainability compliance. These questions are given as sub checklists. For each sub checklist, you will also be presented with the option to leave notes and record your conclusions.

On completion of the audit, all of your answers will automatically compile to produce a final sustainability report.

The audit also provides a tutorial on how to export the end report into Google Documents via an automation process. This automation will run each time this audit is complete, saving you both time and effort.

Record checklist details

In this Hotel Sustainability Audit, you will be presented with the following form fields, for which you are required to populate with your own specific data. More information for each form field type is provided via linkage to our help pages:

Let's start by recording the hotel details, your details and the details of your supervisor or manager.

Auditor's full name

Hotel name

Hotel's address line 1 (street address)

Address line 2 (apartment, suite, unit)

City

ZIP code

Country

Hotel contacts name for audit results

Beginning date of the audit

Audit due date

Audit reviewer details

At the end of this Hotel Sustainability Audit, the audit results will require review and approval by the relevant personnel. Use the form fields below to enter the audit reviewer's information.

Audit reviewer's name (full)

Section A: Demonstrate Effective Sustainable Management:

A1 Sustainability Management System

'The organization has implemented a long-term sustainability management system that is suitable to its size and scope, addresses environmental, social, cultural, economic, quality, human rights, health, safety, risk, and crisis management issues and drives continuous improvement.'

For any Sustainability Management System, a clear environmental policy is needed. The Sustainability Management System will then integrate sustainable practices with an organization's internal procedures to meet this policy. Both environmental and social risks are considered in a Sustainable Management System via a Plan-Do-Check-Act principle.

Check off each task from the subtasks below on their completion. You can then state whether A1 Sustainability Management System task as a whole has been obtained or not by selecting 'Pass' or 'Fail' from the dropdown menu provided.

Any notes added will be summarised in a final report at the end of this audit. If you have no notes to add, please state 'no notes necessary'. This step is important when producing the final report.

1

The Sustainability Management System has been clearly documented
2

The Sustainability Management System covers environmental, social, cultural, economic, quality, human rights, health, and safety issues.
3

Consideration of risk and crises management has been considered in the Sustainability Management System.
4

Documentary evidence shows the implementation of the Sustainability Management System.
5

The Sustainability Management System includes a process for monitoring continuous improvement in sustainability performance.

A1 Sustainability Management System attainment

A1 Sustainability Management System notes

Please see the International Standards Organisation (ISO 14000) and the European Union (EU) Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) to consider the standards set for an effective Sustainability Management System.

Have a look at the different sustainability models that help to explain what a sustainable business will look like. The image above represents the '3-nested-dependencies-model'. This model infers a co-dependence between the environment, society and the economy.

A2 Legal compliance

1

There is a maintained and up to date list of all applicable legal requirements
2

There are documentary evidence and certificates showing compliance with all applicable legal requirements

A2 Legal compliance attainment

A2 Legal compliance notes

A3 Reporting and communication

1

Reporting on sustainability performance in regular
2

Internal and external communicative material report sustainability policies and actions
3

Messages inviting consumer and stakeholder support are included in communications.

A3 Reporting and communication attainment

A3 Reporting and communication notes

A4 Staff engagement

1

Evidence of staff involvement with the Sustainability Management System is available
2

On-the-job training and course records are available which include attendance levels
3

Staff training and guidance materials are available in an accessible format (including the use of minority languages where needed)
4

Staff hold certificates and qualifications in relevant disciplines/skills.

A4 Staff engagement attainment

A4 Staff engagement notes

A5 Customer experience

1

A customer feedback system is in place, together with the analysis of the results
2

Recorded to this is any negative feedback and responses
3

Corrective actions taken are evidential

A5 Customer experience attainment

A5 Customer experience notes

A6 Accurate promotion

1

Promotional images are of actual experiences offered and facilities provided
2

Claims of sustainability are based on records of past performance.

A6 Accurate promotion attainment

A6 Accurate promotion notes

A7 Building and infrastructure

A7.1 Compliance

1

Demonstrated awareness of, and compliance with, laws relating to land use and activities in the local area
2

Legal licenses and permits are up to date
3

Demonstrated awareness of, and compliance with, non-statutory area management plans and guidance ( for example, for particular zones, designs, etc.)

A7.1 Compliance attainment

A7.1 Compliance notes

A7.2 Impact and Integrity

1

Site selection, design, and access have taken account of visual amenity, landscape, cultural and natural heritage
2

Biological sensitive areas and the assimilative capacity of ecosystems have been taken into during site selection, design, and access
3

Archeological, cultural heritage and sacred sites integrity has been preserved
4

Threatened or protected species have not been displaced an impact on wildlife habitats has been minimized and mitigated
5

Watercourses/catchments/wetlands have not been altered and run-off is reduced where possible and any residue is captured or channeled and filtered
6

Risk factors such as climate change, natural phenomena, and visitor safety, have been assessed and addressed
7

Impact assessment (including cumulative impacts) has been undertaken and documented as appropriate

A7.2 Impact and integrity attainment

A7.2 Impact and integrity notes

A7.3 Sustainable Practices and Materials

1

Local materials, practices, and crafts have been used in buildings and design where practicable and appropriate
2

There has been an avoidance of exotic and invasive species, using only endemic plants obtained from sustainable sources in both landscaping and decoration.
3

Plants have been selected for their ability to tolerate prevailing or anticipated conditions, for example, drought tolerant plants
4

Design, materials and construction practices used are sustainable ones, with appropriate certification where possible.
5

Waste from construction is sorted and disposed of in an environmentally sound manner

A7.3 Sustainable practices and materials attainment

A7.3 Sustainable practices and materials notes

A7.4 Access For All

1

Sites, buildings, and activities are accessible to a person with physical disabilities and other special needs, as appropriate to the nature of the operation
2

Clear and accurate information is provided on the level of accessibility
3

Relevant expert user bodies check or certify accessibility

A7.4 Access for all attainment

A7.4 Access for all notes

A7 Building And Infrastructure Summary

1

All buildings are certified

A7 Building and infrastructure attainment

A7 Building and infrastructure notes

A8 Land water and property rights

1

Ownership of land and tenure rights are documented
2

User and access rights for key resources, including land and water, are documented where applicable
3

Communication, consultation, and engagement with local and indigenous communities are documented as evidence
4

Evidence of free, prior and informed consent of local communities is documented, where relevant (showing no involuntary resettlement or land acquisition)

A8 Land water and property rights attainment

A8 Land water and property rights notes

A9 Information and interpretation

1

Information/interpretation material about the natural and cultural heritage of the area is available and provided to customers
2

Staff are informed and trained about the natural and cultural heritage of the local area
3

Information is provided to customers about appropriate behavior in the local area

A9 Information and interpretation attainment

A9 Information and interpretation notes

A10 Destination engagement

1

The organization is a member of the local Destination Management Organization or equivalent body
2

Partnerships with local communities, NGO's and other local bodies
3

Information is provided to customers about appropriate behavior in the local area are evident
4

Participation in planning and management meetings and associated sustainable tourism activities is evident

A10 Destination engagement attainment

A10 Destination engagement notes

B1 Community support

1

Needs and opportunities for support are identified and evaluated on their potential benefit/impact via the organization
2

The level and nature of contributions made to schemes in the local community is recorded
3

The local community is offered the opportunity to access the tourism facilities and services provided

B1 Community support attainment

B1 Community support notes

B2 Local employment

1

The proportion of total employment from persons already residing in the local community is measured and managed.
2

The proportion of employment in management positions from persons already residing in the local community is measured and managed
3

Training is offered to local residents to enhance their employment opportunities

B2 Local employment attainment

B2 Local employment notes

B3 Local purchasing

1

Regular audit of sources of supply goods and services
2

The proportion of good and services purchased from locally owned and operated businesses is measured and managed
3

The proportion of non-locally owned or operated supplier that are fair trade is measured and managed

B3 Local purchasing attainment

B3 Local purchasing notes

B4 Local entrepreneurs

1

Locally owned business are given access to premises and customers for commercial activity
2

Appropriate advice and support regarding the quality and sustainability of services is given to local service providers with whom the organization engages,
3

Joint venture opportunities and partnerships with local entrepreneurs are considered and pursued where appropriate.

B4 Local entrepreneurs attainment

B4 Local entrepreneurs notes

B5 Exploitation and harassment

1

A documented policy against exploitation and harassment of vulnerable groups is documented.
2

Action is taken to communicate and implement the policy
3

The organization engages with the local community to work against harassment and exploitation
4

Records indicate an absence of any child labor
5

Actions against child sex tourism are supported by the organization

B5 Exploitation and harassment attainment

B5 Exploitation and harassment notes

B6 Equal opportunity

1

Groups at risk of discrimination, including local minorities and women, are identified
2

The proportion of employees drawn from each of these groups is monitored and is commensurate with local demographics
3

Internal promotion includes members of these groups

B6 Equal opportunity attainment

B6 Equal opportunity notes

B7 Decent work

1

International labor standards and regulations are recognized, complied with, and demonstrated
2

Wage levels are monitored and regularly reviewed against national norms for a living wage
3

Records of staff training are kept for every employee indicating the frequency and level of training provided
4

Contracts of employees indicate support for health care and social security
5

Water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities are provided for all onsite workers
6

The satisfaction of employees is continually monitored
7

An employee grievance mechanism is in place

B7 Decent work attainment

B7 Decent work notes

B8 Community services

1

The impact on the availability of local services is monitored
2

A communicative/feedback/grievance mechanisms are in place for local communities
3

The organization addresses any reductions in the availability of services to local communities which are as a result of the organization's operations

B8 Community services attainment

B8 Community services notes

B9 Local livelihoods

1

Decisions about development and operations consider local access to livelihoods
2

Local livelihoods can easily report any instances of reduced access to local livelihoods via an effective communicative mechanism

B9 Local livelihoods attainment

B9 Local livelihoods notes

Section C: Maximize Benefits to Cultural Heritage and Minimize Negative Impacts:

C1 Cultural interactions

1

There is an awareness of existing international, national and local good practice which is demonstrated and complied with, in addition to providing guidance for tourist visits to cultural sites and indigenous communities
2

Engagement with communities/sites in reviewing guidance, creating and agreeing to additional guidelines is achieved
3

Effective usage and communication of guidelines
4

Inappropriate interaction with children is avoided via particular measures which are in place

C1 Cultural interactions attainment

C1 Cultural interactions notes

C2 Protecting cultural heritage

1

Monetary contributions to the protection of cultural heritage are recorded and made
2

In-kind or other support for cultural heritage is made
3

Provision is made for local access to sites

C2 Protecting cultural heritage attainment

C2 Protecting cultural heritage notes

C3 Presenting cultural heritage

1

Design and furnishing reflect local art/craft
2

Cuisine, retail, events and other services offered provide evidence of living cultural heritage and traditions
3

Copyright and intellectual property rights have been observed and necessary permissions obtained
4

Local community views have been sought in regards to the presentation of local cultural heritage

C3 Presenting cultural heritage attainment

C3 Presenting cultural heritage notes

C4 Artifacts

1

Artifacts use is transparent and/or documented and reported
2

Laws and bylaws have been identified that permit the use of artifacts where they have been used
3

Artifact damage and removal is prevented

C4 Presenting cultural heritage attainment

C4 Presenting cultural heritage notes

Section D: Maximize Benefits to the Environment and Minimize Negative Impacts:

D1 Conserving resources

D1.1 Environmentally Preferable Purchasing

1

Environmentally preferable purchasing documentation is available
2

In respect to paper, fish, wood, and other foods/products from the wild, preference is given to products and suppliers with environmental certification
3

Consideration is given to the origin of methods of growing or production where certified products and suppliers are not available
4

There is no use and selling of threatened species

D1.1 Environmentally preferable purchasing attainment

D1.1 Environmentally preferable purchasing notes

D1.2 Efficient Purchasing

1

Reusable, returnable and recyclable goods are purchased with a preference
2

Purchasing and using consumable and disposable goods is monitored and managed
3

Unnecessary packaging (especially from plastic) is avoided, with buying in bulk as appropriate
4

There is no use and selling of threatened species

D1.2 Efficient purchasing attainment

D1.2 Efficient purchasing notes

D1.3 Energy Conservation

1

The total energy that is used is both monitored and managed
2

Energy used per tourist/night for each type of energy is monitored and managed
3

Total energy supply from renewable sources is monitored and managed, with renewable sources being favored
4

Energy use is minimized via equipment and practices
5

Goals to reduce energy consumption are in place
6

Guidance is given to staff and guests to minimize energy use

D1.3 Energy conservation attainment

D1.3 Energy conservation notes

D1.4 Water Conservation

1

Water risk has been assessed and documented
2

Water stewardship goals have been determined where water risk has been assessed as being high
3

Water use per tourist/night per source is monitored and managed
4

Water consumption is minimized through equipment and practices
5

The waster source is sustainable, and does not affect, or has not previously affected, environmental flows
6

The cumulative impacts of tourism in the locality of water sources is considered
7

Reducing water consumption goals are in place
8

Guidance is given to staff and guests to minimize water use

D1.4 Water conservation attainment

D1.4 Water conservation notes

D1 Conserving Resources Summary

D1 Conserving resources attainment

D1 Conserving resources notes

D2 Reducing pollution

D2.1 Greenhouse Gas Emissions

1

Both total direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions are monitored and managed
2

The carbon footprint per tourist/night is monitored and managed
3

Significant annual emissions from all sources are reduced and avoided
4

Carbon offset mechanisms are used where practical

D2.1 Greenhouse gas emissions attainment

D2.1 Greenhouse gas emissions notes

D2.2 Transport

1

Information is provided and promoted to customers on alternative (climate friendly) transport options, for arrival, departure, and during their visit
2

Provision and facilitation of alternative transport options (e.g. bike rental, car sharing, pick-ups) for guests and staff
3

Markets are accessible by short and more sustainable transport options are favored
4

Minimal transport is sought in daily operations and local suppliers are favored

D2.2 Transport attainment

D2.2 Transport attainment notes

D2.3 Wastewater

1

A municipal or government approved treatment system is used to dispose of wastewater
2

There is a system in place on site to treat wastewater ( that meet international wastewater quality requirements) and ensures no adverse effect on the local population if a suitable municipal wastewater treatment is not available

D2.3 Waterwater attainment

D2.3 Waterwater notes

D2.4 Solid Waste

1

The amount of solid waste disposed of per tourist/night is monitored and managed
2

A management plan for solid waste is in place
3

Actions to reduce, separate and reuse or recycle food waste are included in the waste management plan
4

Waste disposal is a government-run or an approved facility with evidence that the facility has no negative impact on the local population or the environment
5

Goals are put in place to minimize non-diverted solid waste, all disposed of solid waste is measured by the type
6

Customers and staff are guided to minimize waste

D2.4 Solid waste attainment

D2.4 Solid waste attainment notes

D2 Reducing Pollution Summary

D2 Reducing pollution attainment

D2 Reducing pollution notes

D3 Conserving biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes

D3.1 Biodiversity Conservation

1

Awareness of natural protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value is demonstrated
2

Records of monetary support for biodiversity n the local areas are provided
3

In-kind or other support for biodiversity in the local area is recorded
4

Biodiversity and conservation are supported via the property
5

Activities with the potential to disturb wildlife and habitats are mitigated and the organization is aware of these activities
6

Compensation is made where any disturbance has occurred
7

Visitors are encouraged to support biodiversity conservation
8

The organization engages with local conservation NGOs

D3.1 Conserving biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes attainment

D3.1 Conserving biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes notes

D3.2 Invasive Species

1

The presence of any invasive species is monitored at sites
2

The introduction and spread of invasive species is actioned against
3

A program is in place to eradicate and control invasive species
4

Native species are considered when reviewing landscaping of sites

D3.2 Invasive species attainment

D3.2 Invasive species notes

D3.3 Visits To Natural Sites

1

There is an awareness of existing guidelines for tourists visits to natural sites which are complied with
2

Guidelines are used when conducting visits and informing guests
3

Any issues concerning visits to particular sites are identified/established and the organization engages with local conservation bodies

D3.3 Visits to natural sites attainment

D3.3 Visits to natural sites notes

D3.4 Wildlife Interactions

1

Awareness of existing local, national and international regulations and guidelines concerning wildlife interactions, and viewings which are complied with
2

Advice from wildlife experts is used in the development and implementation of local codes and guidelines for wildlife interactions, including wildlife viewing
3

Direct interactions, in particular, feedings, should not be permitted, unless specifically sanctions by internationally accepted standards. or where standards are not available, guided by independent wildlife expert advice.
4

Disturbance to wildlife is minimized
5

Wildlife wellbeing is regularly monitored and any impacts addressed

D3.4 Wildlife interactions attainment

D3.4 Wildlife interactions notes

D3.5 Animal Welfare

1

Awareness of relevant laws and regulations regarding captive wildlife, which are complied with
2

Guidelines specific to tourism activities involving captive wildlife are implemented
3

Personal responsible for captive wildlife have appropriate qualifications and experience and are fully licensed
4

Awareness of relevant laws and regulations concerning animal welfare which are complied with
5

Regular inspection of conditions of captive wildlife and their housing
6

Domestic animal housing and handling is regularly inspected

D3.5 Animal welfare attainment

D3.5 Animal welfare notes

D3.6 Wildlife Harvesting and Trade

1

Awareness of, and compliance to, relevant laws and regulations concerning wildlife harvesting and trade
2

Visitors are informed of regulations concerning wildlife harvesting, consumption and trade and of the need to avoid buying illegal products/souvenirs derived from threatened species of wildlife.notified by IUCN or CITES
3

The only legal hunting activity is that which forms part of a scientifically based, properly managed and strictly enforced approach to conservation

D3.6 Wildlife harvesting and trade attainment

D3.6 Wildlife harvesting and trade notes

D3 Conserving biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes Summary

D3 Conserving biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes attainment

D3 Conserving biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes notes

Report Generation:

Audit completion

This is the end of the Hotel Sustainability Audit. Your attainment details for each step along with any notes made have been compiled into a final report, accessible in the 'your report' task.

You are presented with the option to create an automation process to export the final report generated as a google document. This is a conditional step. If you chose 'Yes' from the dropdown menu, you will be presented with instructions on how to create this automation using Zapier.

Please enter the date that this audit has been completed on, and the name of who this audit was reviewed by.

Would you like to automate the export of the final report as a google document?

Date of audit completion

The final audit reviewed by

Hotel Sustainability Audit results

You can summarise whether the hotel passed the sustainability audit as a whole. You can also add summary notes.

You are then presented with the option to send this summary to any relevant stakeholders using our email widget. This is a conditional step. If you select 'Yes' then the option of sending this email is provided.

Hotel Sustainability Audit attainment

Hotel Sustainability Audit notes

Do you want to email the sustainability audit summary to relevant stakeholders?