The Clef Verte label, the leading international environmental label for tourist accommodation and catering, has announced exceptional growth of 45% in 2024, reaching a record of 1,564 establishments with the label in France, compared with 1,077 in 2023.
This success testifies to the growing commitment of establishments to sustainable practices aimed at reducing their impact on the environment and biodiversity. Of these establishments, 575 have been awarded the label for the first time this year.
Leading regions
Although the label's growth can be observed throughout France, Île-de-France stands out with the strongest increase, with 211 establishments receiving the label in 2024, more than double the number from the previous year. This increase can be explained in part by the impact of the Olympic Games and the active participation of establishments in the sustainable games project supported by Paris 2024.
The South Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region topped the list with 242 establishments awarded the label in 2024, a significant 62% increase on 2023. Partnerships with local tourist offices and awareness-raising initiatives are contributing to the growing commitment to environmental sustainability.
High performance from hotels and campsites
Hotels are performing exceptionally well, with 788 labels awarded in 2024, almost double the number awarded the previous year (411 in 2023). Campsites maintain their position with 283 labelled establishments, reflecting their historic commitment as the first category to obtain the label in 1998 when the Clef Verte label was created in France.
More than 2,000 initiatives for biodiversity
La Clef Verte, aware of the impact of tourism on the environment, encourages establishments to adopt responsible practices through more than 2,000 initiatives dedicated to protecting biodiversity. These initiatives include the differentiated management of green spaces, the creation of permaculture vegetable gardens, the maintenance of flower-filled fallow areas, and many others, aimed at raising awareness among customers and preserving local flora and fauna.
"This significant increase reflects the sector's growing awareness of its environmental impact. In 2024, the Green Key label will once again demonstrate its ability to support professionals who wish to work towards the development of a more resilient tourism industry that reduces its greenhouse gas emissions and limits its impact on biodiversity" - Nathalie Be Baussant, Director of the Sustainable Tourism Division of the Teragir association and head of the Green Key label in France.
The Green Key label is awarded to over 5,000 establishments in 63 countries for their responsible practices and effective environmental management. In France, the label is managed by the Teragir association, which also runs other environmental programmes such as Pavillon Bleu, Eco-Ecole, International Forest Day, Jeunes Reporters pour l'Environnement, and the citizen mobilisation campaign Action solution.