EC3 Global offers a managed Green Globe program which is supported by the science and technology of the The Sustainable Tourism CRC (STCRC), the worlds largest dedicated, not for profit, research centre specialising in sustainable tourism. This web-delivered program is based on the Agenda 21 principles ^[1] for Sustainable Development endorsed by 182 Heads of State at the United Nations Rio De Janeiro Earth Summit (1992). Earthcheck uses a series of indicators to Benchmark key aspects of environmental and social performance of an enterprise in a given sector. This evaluation is made against international standards that reflect best practice.

Contents 1 Brief history 2 Aspects of the Green Globe Programme - Underpinned by Earthcheck Science 3 Green Globe in the Press 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Brief history

Green Globe (underpinned by Earthcheck science) is based upon the Agenda 21 Plan which was originally endorsed by 182 heads of state at the Rio Earth Summit of 1992 and provided a set of principles for local, state, national and international action on sustainable development. This resulted in Agenda 21 for the Travel and Tourism Industry: Towards Environmentally Sustainable Development, which listed an action plan for a number of overall objectives for the industry.

The overall plan aimed to convert the objectives into specific targets, and named ten areas in which travel and tourism operations could take action, including:

• Waste minimisation, reuse, recycling;
• Energy efficiency, conservation, management;
• Management of freshwater resources;
• Waste water management;
• Hazardous substances;
• Transport;
• Land-use planning and management;
• Involvement of staff, customers, communities in environmental issues;
• Design for sustainability; and
• Partnerships for sustainable development

In 1994 ^[2] , The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) initiated the Green Globe Programme with the aim of providing guidance materials and support for industry members undertaking activities to achieve sustainability outcomes in the Agenda 21 target areas.

The programme was expanded in 1999 with the introduction of the Green Globe Standard and commencement of independent auditing. The Green Globe programme was further updated in May 2001 as part of continuous reflection of its market focus, and now includes four Standards based upon actual measurement of environmental improvements by using the Earthcheck system for Benchmarking on an annual basis.

In 2008, Green Globe International (GGI), a U.S. public company traded under the symbol GGLB.PK, acquired a majority interest in Green Globe Limited the owner of the brand.

In late 2008 to ensure that market confusion was eliminated Green Globe Asia Pacific (GGAP), a wholly owned subsidiary of EC3 Global, took formal legal action against Green Globe Ltd. (GGL) the worldwide owner of the Green Globe brand, to protect its existing rights and the rights of Green Globe members.

In April 2009 GGI failed to file the company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB with the Securities and Exchange Commission. "Making current financial reports available to our shareholders and the public markets is a priority for Green Globe International, and we are working to make this information available for viewing as soon as possible," commented Steven R. Peacock, CEO and Managing Director of the company. In May 2009 GGI announced the company's plans to report its quarterly and annual financial information to shareholders and the global public markets through the Pink Sheets OTC Disclosure and News Service. Speculation from investment blogs include comments such as "This means no more audited financials" ^[3]

In May 2009 GGL signed a new license agreement with Green Globe Asia Pacific (GGAP). The agreement provides GGAP a license to continue to provide worldwide certification services under the Green Globe brand to the travel and tourism industry with exclusivity in the Asia Pacific region (excluding mainland China). This means EC3 Global is the only service provider, with the ability to manage and distribute the Green Globe program (Underpinned by Earthcheck Science) globally.

[edit] Aspects of the Green Globe Programme - Underpinned by Earthcheck Science

The Green Globe Programme as delivered by EC3 Global has two key standards:

• Green Globe Company Standard - Underpinned by Earthcheck Science

The Green Globe Company Standard (Underpinned by Earthcheck science) is designed for organisations within the travel and tourism industry and sets out the criteria to attain certification. It provides an environmental management framework for organisations, as part of the process to achieve certification. Initially the process begins with benchmarking of the companies current environmental footprint, this brings in the company to the Benchmarking Bronze Level after which the company may continue to the Certification Silver Level. After 5 years of continuous certification, a company may also be eligible for the Gold Certified Level.

• Green Globe Community Standard

The Green Globe Community Standard (Underpinned by Earthcheck science)is designed for communities to achieve sustainable environmental outcomes. The standard provides community with a framework to benchmark and certify their environmental and social performance, and focus on continued adherence to the standard.

[edit] Green Globe in the Press

• Estoril Congress Center and Green Globe International Team to Provide Sustainability Services under the Green Globe Certification Program
• A NZ First: Green Globe Certification for Langham
• Nevis is Environmental friendly
• Kuala Lumbur convention centre receives green globe benchmark status
• Six Senses Resorts & Spas establish Green Globe Standard
• Novotel Hotels & Resorts

[edit] References

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2008)

[edit] External links

• Agenda 21 text.
• Green Globe Benchmarking and Certification Program Website