Communication - Press
Pullman Cape Town Achieves Prestigious Green Key Certification for Excellence in Sustainability
Proudly delivering and driving global standards of sustainability for hospitality and tourism in Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa — 16 January 2025 — Pullman Cape Town proudly announces that it has been awarded the esteemed Green Key certification for sustainability, which is a testament to the hotel’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Willie Williams, Area Director of Sales Marketing Accor: “This achievement demonstrates the hard work and dedication of the entire hotel team, including its Sustainability Committee, which consists of representatives from every department within the hotel. This Committee, supported by Kasada, has been instrumental in implementing and driving sustainable practices that align with the rigorous standards set by the Green Key certification, which is recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).”
Lopang Rapodile, ESG Manager at Kasada, emphasises the importance of continuous improvement: “We’re hugely proud of Pullman Cape Town for successfully being awarded the Green Key Certification, which is well deserved for the whole team’s focus on delivering sustainability excellence. We remain committed to strengthening the hotel’s sustainability initiatives year after year, ensuring that we continue to serve as an anchor of sustainability for the people and communities we support.”
Pullman Cape Town and its owner, Kasada, are deeply dedicated to sustainable tourism and will continue to deliver on our commitments. By achieving Green Key certification, Pullman Cape Town not only sets a benchmark for sustainability for other hospitality establishments in South Africa, but also demonstrates its dedication to preserving the environment for future generations. The hotel invites guests to join their journey towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.
The Green Key evaluation process covers the four pillars of sustainability: sustainable management, environmental impacts, cultural impacts, and socio-economic impacts, which are confirmed by an independent third-party audit of hotel practices. Green Key rigorously evaluates and audits businesses and establishments based on the Foundation for Environmental Education's strict environmental responsibility and sustainable operation criteria. These criteria help guide them to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set up by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, which include critical areas such as effective energy use, water management, waste reduction, and sustainability education and training.
Green Key in its Final Summary and Decision stated: “The hotel has done exceptionally well with demonstrating compliance with Green Key Year 1 Imperative Criteria.” Highlighting several commendable practices, “including the implementation of waste management practices, staff training, energy-efficient lighting, automatic shutdown, water efficient flow rates and the use of eco-label cleaning products, which align with Green Key standards.”
Some key elements of Pullman Cape Town's sustainability initiatives that Green Key highlighted include:
Water and Energy Reduction: The hotel has installed low-flow shower heads and dual-flush toilets and has a daily leak-checking protocol. The hotel also uses a Guest Room Management system, which allows a room’s electricity to be automatically turned off when it has been vacant for more than 10 minutes. These measures have significantly reduced water consumption and energy usage, demonstrating Pullman Cape Town’s proactive energy conservation approach.
Sustainable Education, Training and Practices: Promoting sustainable practices is a cornerstone of hotel operations. Guests are encouraged to participate in reducing laundry loads, thereby conserving water, energy, and minimising waste. Comprehensive sustainability training for staff is provided to ensure they are well-versed in eco-friendly practices. This training includes water and energy conservation techniques, waste reduction strategies, and the importance of sourcing locally and seasonally. Staff members are also trained to educate and encourage guests to adopt these practices during their stay. Pullman Cape Town creates a collaborative environment for sustainable practices by involving both staff and guests in sustainability initiatives.
Plastic Reduction and Waste Management: Pullman Cape Town is committed to reducing single-use plastic throughout the property. A full-time worker from Pullman Cape Town’s partner, WastePlan, meticulously separates all waste to maximise reuse. The hotel regularly receives rebates from WastePlan, highlighting the tangible benefits of its sustainable practices.
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About Green Key
The Green Key certification is a globally recognised standard of excellence in environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. The Green Key high environmental standards are maintained through rigorous documentation and frequent audits, ensuring that certified establishments consistently improve their environmental performance. Accredited by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE): Green Key - through the National Office in South Africa: The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA).
About Pullman
Pullman Hotels & Resorts sets a new tempo in global travel and living, delivering an inspiring, energizing and enriching experience to new entrepreneurs. Pullman welcomes guests with the space they need to focus, work and play. Forward-thinking, hyper-connected and with a passion for art and fitness, Pullman retains the adventurous spirit and open-minded ambition that drove it to become a pioneering travel brand over 150 years ago. Today, Pullman features more than 150 properties in vibrant and cosmopolitan destinations around the world, including flagship properties such as Pullman Paris Montparnasse, Pullman Singapore Orchard, Pullman Suzhou Zhonghui in Greater China and Pullman Maldives Maamutaa. Pullman is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,500 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL - Accor Live Limitless – a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.
About Accor
Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5 400 properties, 10 000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry’s most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 40 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive action in terms of business ethics & integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community outreach, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit www.group.accor.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.
Kasada is the leading independent real estate private equity platform dedicated to the hospitality sector in Africa. We are committed to generating a sustainable, positive impact in the African economies and communities we invest in, while ensuring the delivery of attractive, risk-adjusted returns for investors. In April 2019, Kasada closed its first fund, Kasada Hospitality Fund L.P. ("Kasada"), with equity commitments of more than US$ 500 million. Kasada was established in 2018 with the support of two anchor L.P.s, the Qatar Investment Authority, the sovereign wealth fund of Qatar, and Accor, a global hospitality leader.
Our strategic approach has been to create and grow a geographically diversified value-add portfolio, balanced across key attractive locations in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our portfolio has grown to 20 hotels across seven jurisdictions. Each hotel is currently operated by Accor, which leverages its diverse brand portfolio and international acclaim to enhance operational performance. Kasada is transforming the continent’s hospitality sector thanks to our world-class, multi-disciplinary team with deep sector expertise and successful track records across investment, construction, finance and operations and within the African context. Kasada has become the largest and most active institutional investor in hospitality in the region and the solution provider of choice.
