Cape Grace, Fairmont Managed Hotel Achieves Prestigious Green Key Certification

Cape Town Luxury Hotel is leading the Way in Sustainable Tourism in South Africa –

Cape Grace, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, proudly announces that the Cape Grace has been awarded the esteemed Green Key certification, making it the only hotel in South Africa to currently hold this significant accolade for sustainability. This certification is a testament to the hotel’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Leon Meyer, General Manager at Cape Grace, attributes this achievement to the hard work and dedication of the entire hotel team, including its Sustainability Committee, which consists of representatives from every department within the hotel. This Committee has been instrumental in implementing and maintaining sustainable practices that align with the rigorous standards set by the Green Key certification, which are recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

Lopang Rapodile, ESG Manager at Kasada, emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement: “Implementing the Green Key criteria has further strengthened the hotel’s sustainability initiatives and best practices. We remain committed to further enhancing the hotel’s sustainability performance year on year that will not only benefit the environment, but also enhance the reputations of Cape Grace and its owner, Kasada, as leaders in sustainability in South Africa and the wider continent.”

Cape Grace and Kasada are deeply committed to sustainable tourism. As a Fairmont Hotels & Resort property, Cape Grace fully embraces the sustainable commitments put forth by the brand. By achieving Green Key certification, Cape Grace not only sets a benchmark for sustainability for other hospitality establishments in South Africa but also demonstrates its dedication to preserving the environment for future generations. The hotel invites guests to join them in their journey towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.

The Green Key evaluation process is across the four pillars of sustainability: sustainable management, environmental impacts, cultural impacts and socio-economic impacts, which are confirmed by an independent third-party audit of hotel practices. Green Key rigorously evaluates, and audits businesses and establishments based on the Foundation for Environmental Education’s strict criteria for their environmental responsibility and sustainable operation. These criteria help to guiding them to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set up by UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, which include critical areas such as effective energy use, water management, waste reduction, and sustainability education and training.

Green Key in its Final Summary and Decision stated: “This establishment is well on their way with their sustainability journey. The establishment performed well in all the Green Key Categories. The audit identified several key areas where the organisation is performing extremely well, including environmental management, waste management, plastic reduction, energy efficiency, and water conservation. The establishment has made significant strides in achieving its environmental sustainability goals and has demonstrated compliance with Green Key for a Year 1 applicant.”

Some key elements of Cape Grace’s sustainability initiatives that Green Key highlighted include:

Water and Energy Reduction: The hotel has installed low-flow shower heads and dual-flush toilets and has a daily leak-checking protocol. The hotel also makes use of a Guest Room Management system, which allows a room’s electricity to be automatically turned off when it has been vacant for more than 30 minutes. These measures have significantly reduced water consumption and energy usage, demonstrating Cape Grace’s proactive approach to energy and water conservation.

Sustainable Education, Training and Practices: Promoting sustainable practices is a cornerstone of hotel operations. Guests are encouraged to participate in reducing laundry loads, thereby conserving water, energy, and minimizing waste. Comprehensive sustainability training for staff is provided to ensure they are well-versed in eco-friendly practices. This training includes water and energy conservation techniques, waste reduction strategies, and the importance of sourcing locally and seasonally. Staff members are also trained to educate and encourage guests in adopting these practices during their stay. By involving both staff and guests in sustainability initiatives, Cape Grace creates a collaborative environment for sustainable practices.

Plastic Reduction and Waste Management: Cape Grace is committed to reducing single-use plastic throughout the property. A full-time worker from Cape Grace’s partner, WastePlan, meticulously separates and color-codes all waste to maximize reuse. The hotel regularly receives rebates from WastePlan, highlighting the tangible benefits of their sustainable practices.