The Donald Gordon Hotel and Conference Centre (DGHCC) recently received Green Key Certification for environmental management and corporate social responsibility, marking a significant step towards sustainability in the hospitality industry.  

The Green Key certification is based on the Green Key Standard, which is recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Green Key acknowledges an establishment's commitment to environmentally responsible practices, including energy and water conservation, waste reduction, and promoting sustainable purchasing decisions, as well as socially accountable employee training, staff and customer engagement, supply chain management, community involvement and more.

The Green Key certification aligns with the university's strategic goals of Queen's in the Community and Global Engagement, reflecting a broader global movement towards sustainable tourism, while advancing United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Guided by the stewardship of the Queen's University Climate Action Plan, Carbon Footprint Report, and Sustainable Procurement Guidelines, as well as Housing and Ancillary Services’ Sustainability Framework, the DGHCC has implemented several initiatives to increase the use of environmentally friendly and sustainable methods of operation and technology. The centre has also worked to raise awareness and create behavioural changes among guests, staff and suppliers, and to foster meaningful community engagement through:  

• Purchasing local foods to reduce transportation and stimulate the local economy.  
• Using MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) seafood and Queen's Bee Honey produced on campus that consider animal and insect welfare.  
• Offering vegetarian/vegan foods with lower carbon footprints than meat-based options and Fair-trade coffee, tea, and chocolate.  
• Raising awareness and encouraging behaviour shifts in guests through digitized guest services, a Reusable Linen Program, and waste reduction messaging in the dining room.  
• Donating untouched fresh and non-perishable foods to Lions Heart to help address local food insecurity.  
• Donating used linens to the Humane Society, and rehoming furniture to local not-for-profit establishments.  
• Controlling room temperatures, installing energy-efficient lighting, dual flush toilets and restricted shower heads.  
• Replacing single-use toiletries with refillable dispensers and donating partially used toiletries to Clean the World Foundation.
•  Offering inclusive hospitality for LGBTQ+ guests through Rainbow Registered Accreditation and Proud Certification from Booking.com.
• Making I-EDIIAA training mandatory for all staff and providing Human Trafficking training for front desk staff.  

The Donald Gordon Hotel and Conference Centre is part of Housing and Ancillary Services, a financially self-supporting department in Student Affairs that cultivates a broad spectrum of responsible and innovative services supporting the University’s Strategic Goals. Learn more about how to Keep it on Campus.