Sustainability is not just important to hotels looking to cut down on energy consumption and responsibly recycle. Guests are also factoring sustainability into their hotel booking decisions.
Earning sustainability certification, such as GreenKey and GreenSign, shows guests that the hotel is doing its best to save the planet. However, the certification process is complex and time-consuming.
To help hotels navigate the process, BeCause recently launched the Certification Co-Pilot platform, which “streamlines workflows and automates key submission steps to make certifications more accessible and achievable,” according to Jahanzeeb Ahmed, the company’s chief commercial officer.
For hotel groups managing multiple properties, the platform addresses challenges such as inconsistent tracking of certification status and the absence of a centralized system for managing ESG data and responding to data requests.
“The prefilling of data is a huge time saver for large hotel chains, streamlining the certification process across multiple properties,” he said. “Real-time certification updates ensure OTA and booking platforms always reflect the most current sustainability credentials, enhancing transparency and building trust with guests.”
Certification Co-Pilot connects hotels directly with certifiers via the BeCause sustainability data hub. They complete their application within the platform and submit it directly to auditors for evaluation.
“All communication, including feedback, is handled within the same system, eliminating the need for back-and-forth emails or fragmented workflows,” said Ahmed. The CCO added that the platform reduces administrative work by automatically mapping existing sustainability data to certification requirements.
He explained that certifiers typically look at data on such things as carbon emissions, energy and water usage, waste management and sustainable sourcing practices during the application process.
“In many cases, applications also need to address broader areas such as climate impact, social responsibility and governance practices,” he added. “To meet these requirements, hotels are often expected to demonstrate a comprehensive sustainability policy that reflects a genuine commitment to eco-friendly practices, along with ongoing staff training to build environmental awareness at all levels of the organization. Compliance with national and international environmental regulations is also essential.”
Resource management is another critical focus area, he said, with emphasis placed on energy efficiency through the use of renewable energy sources, energy-saving systems and LED lighting. Water conservation efforts—including water-saving fixtures, consumption monitoring and rainwater collection—are also key.
“Waste management is equally important, with certifiers looking for evidence of recycling programs, waste reduction strategies and composting initiatives,” he pointed out. “Together, these practices provide a holistic view of a hotel’s sustainability performance and its readiness for certification.”
Certification Co-Pilot also includes built-in intelligent prompts that help identify common challenges that often delay certification. These prompts can detect missing information; inconsistencies in reported data; and potential misalignments with specific certification requirements.
According to BeCause, Certification Co-Pilot is designed for hotels of all types and sizes—from independent boutique properties interested in earning their first sustainability certification to large international hotel chains managing certification efforts across multiple locations.
“It’s particularly valuable for hotel chains and corporate headquarters that want centralized oversight, the ability to pre-load region-specific certifications and a streamlined way to track progress across their portfolio,” Ahmed said. “Hotels already collecting ESG [environmental, social and governance] data for regulatory compliance or internal reporting will also benefit, as the platform’s data mapping capabilities allow them to repurpose existing information for certifications.”
He added that the platform is currently being piloted in several markets and will be available more broadly by the end of the second quarter.
