Did you know INNhotels' Green Team is supported by Green Step and is directly linked to the UN’s 17 goals to
transform our world?
In 2012 the United Nations held a conference in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil to build a common vision for the
future. They met to renew their commitment to sustainable development as well as to ensure
promotion of an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable future for our planet. 17 goals
were created with hopes of having them reached by 2030. The focus of the goals is to eradicate poverty,
which is the greatest challenge we face globally. Sustainable development at all levels is required to
build a foundation that raises the basic standard of living and manages our natural resources to benefit
all people. I highly recommend checking out the 17 Goals, I found them inspiring and heartfelt and there
is not one goal in the list that anyone could argue is not worth pursuing.
There is a great opportunity to step up and do the work to make changes that support these obvious
and needed goals. We are incredibly inspired to see multiple organizations that have been created to
build frameworks for economies and companies that help plan, track and make the required changes to
join in this global vision. In our corner of the world, Green Step is one of the most visible and widely
relied upon. They are bold and they place their purpose right on the first page of their site: “To Change
the World” I encourage you to look in your corner and discover which organizations are working with
these goals. Aligning your business with such clear and ethical direction is an excellent way to build
resilience, respect and longevity.
Since taking the Sustainable Tourism Pledge we have had the opportunity to learn about our company,
our buildings and our employees from a new perspective. We have been invited by the Green Step
assessment framework to come up with creative ideas to do things a little greener as well as to connect
with local businesses and discover what we can do to support our local communities. I encourage you
whether you own your own business, or work for a large company, to check out what is already out
there to support sustainability and tracking of eco friendly goals. You too could learn with Green Step or
one of the other great organizations working to protect the future. Even though the goals are lofty
taking many small steps will mean progress. Great businesses of the future will embrace the opportunity
to learn about their impact and carve out new positive ways to make their place in the world.
The Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action by all countries – poor, rich and middle-income
– to promote prosperity while protecting the planet.