With over 20 years of experience in the industry, the event division of Grupa Natura and Green Team – Green Globe's Preferred Partner in Spain – have joined forces to promote a complete range of sustainable Spanish venues, including all types of services, in addition to the Green Globe certification for the event in question, with different durations and the necessary flexibility to adapt them to the specific requirements of each event, meeting or incentive.
The Green Globe assessment protocol for organizing, managing and certifying sustainable events were presented by Green Team, Green Globe's agent only for Spain and Andorra, before an audience of Spanish and international MICE professionals in the meeting room of the stand of the Catalunya Convention Bureau – of which Grupo Natura is a member – during EIBTM last December.
This innovative initiative, which is unique in Spain, is geared to meeting a growing demand and to engage companies, corporations and institutions that want to clearly demonstrate their policies and commitment to sustainability (social responsibility and environment) to their stakeholders, by choosing the most suitable venues and partnering with service providers that work to the same high standards and have been awarded the corresponding sustainability certificates.
Green Globe's standards for managing, organizing and certifying sustainability are acknowledged all over the world and audited by independent parties, thus constituting a real guarantee for clients and specialized tourism operators (DMCs and PCOs). These specific standards for meetings and events are applicable from the moment that the decision is taken to organize an event, and cover four key areas: sustainable management, environment, socio/economic, and cultural heritage. In the area of sustainable management, the following is assessed: legal compliance; the external and internal communication strategy; the health and security of event staff and attendees; attendee satisfaction; promotional material content and veracity; the choice of venue; and the engagement and provision of restaurant and catering services, as well as the choice of menus. As to the environment, the following is assessed: energy and water consumption; transport and carbon footprint; the use of dangerous substances; printed materials and components; the waste management plan; and attention to biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes. With regard to socioeconomic aspects, the following are assessed: responsible behavior when interacting with local communities; the use of fair trade; and support for local entrepreneurs and artisans. Lastly, concerning cultural heritage, the idea is minimize the impact on sensitive historic sites and the use of local cultural elements, both material and immaterial.
Complementing this initiative, Grupo Natura provides its clients with a consultancy service not only covering travel, but also environmental and sustainability issues in the widest sense of the word. Thanks to all the aforementioned initiatives, Grupo Natura is probably the most sustainable operator in the Spanish tourism industry.
