In Marrakech, the number of accredited institutions doubled between 2015 and 2016. Five star hotels, guesthouses and club villages have therefore focused on environmental protection in the lead-up to COP 22 (United Nations Conference of Parties), to be held in Marrakech in November. They will reap the first benefits of this event: the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Tourism organization (UNWTO) support the Green Key label, launched by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) in 2002. During this important gathering on the environment, participants will be looking for certified facilities, which remain too few in Morocco.

The Foundation, with partner support, has been promoting the label in Morocco since 2007 and assisting institutions with their first application. In the spotlight, COP 22 will help to increase environmental awareness and demonstrate that today an increasing number of tourists take into account environmental protection in their choice of accommodations.

Green Key, the first eco-label in the world

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) launched Green Key in 2002. With 2,400 accredited institutions in 53 countries, it is the most represented label in the world. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) support the eco-label.

In Morocco, where the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection introduced Green Key in 2007, an independent jury of experts in connection with tourism awards the label annually. This jury is composed of the Ministry of Tourism, the National Moroccan Tourism Office, the National Hotel Industry Federation, the Ministry Delegate to the Minister of Energy, Mines, Water and the Environment in Charge of Environment, the National Water and Electricity Office, the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Development Agency, and the General Directorate of Local Communities.