EarthCheck
The Compass for Responsible Tourism
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EarthCheck
EarthCheck is the world’s leading scientific research, consulting, and certification group for the tourism and accommodation sector.
Since 1987, it has been helping businesses and destinations become more sustainable through certification and consulting. EarthCheck’s certification programs are well-known and respected by travelers, hotels, and destinations worldwide and help guests make informed decisions.
We at Terra Institute are partners of EarthCheck and support businesses and destinations on their path to certification. We provide targeted guidance on strategic and operational decisions and help integrate the certification process tools optimally into existing workflows.
How do customers benefit from our experience?
✔ Compliance with regulations and standards: EarthCheck ensures adherence to and surpassing of (inter)national sustainability guidelines.
✔ Cost reduction through efficiency: Optimization of energy, water, and resource consumption leads to significant cost savings without loss of quality.
✔ Improved access to financing: Companies benefit from easier access to loans and subsidized interest rates.
✔ Reduction of environmental impact: Monitoring of CO₂ emissions and promotion of the circular economy through effective waste management.
✔ Strengthening marketing and communication: Transparent data and reports solidify the company’s reputation and attract environmentally conscious guests.
✔ Strategy development and governance: Building a structured sustainability strategy with clear actions, key indicators, and responsibilities for long-term efficiency improvement.
✔ International visibility and marketing: Certified companies are listed on the EarthCheck website and benefit from the global recognition of the label.
Why choose Terra?
With Terra Institute as a partner, you benefit from our many years of experience and comprehensive expertise in supporting sustainable transformation processes. We combine our sound knowledge in sustainability strategy with the scientifically based standards of EarthCheck to optimally support businesses and destinations on their path to certification. Our approach goes far beyond pure consulting: we help you seamlessly integrate the tools of the certification process into your existing workflows, structure your sustainability strategy, and define clear actions and responsibilities. With us by your side, you not only lay the foundation for successful certification but simultaneously increase efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen your position as a pioneer of sustainable business.
THE COMPANIES
THAT HAVE CHOSEN US
What is our approach?
Our approach for the EarthCheck certification comprises three main steps that efficiently and purposefully guide companies and destinations through the entire process:
1. Analysis & Identification of material topics
- Assessment of the status quo: Analysis of existing sustainability measures and introduction to the basic principles of EarthCheck.
- Preparation of documentation: Creation of initial documents and definition of data to be recorded.
- Identification of risks: Identification of potential negative impacts and risks to develop targeted measures.
- Introduction to the EarthCheck platform: Training on platform use and definition of relevant data for benchmarking
2. Strategy development
- Setting strategic goals: Development of clear sustainability goals as well as measurable indicators and actions.
- Building a viable organization: Ensuring structures and resources are in place to successfully implement the strategy
3. Audit preparation
- Preparation for the audit: Support for the final documentation, review of all requirements, and accompaniment until successful certification.
Fig. 1 Strategy Process
TERRA FOOTPRINT POWERED BY EARTHCHECK – CO₂ CALCULATOR
Terra Footprint is an innovative tool for calculating CO₂ emissions (Scope 1, 2, and 3) developed by EarthCheck for Terra Institute.
- It is a management and control system for your consumption of energy, water, waste, and other resources as well as the associated costs.
- It is a digital platform that is easy, fast, and intuitive to use and can be accessed via the internet with a username and password.
- It offers real-time visualization of consumption and CO2 emission data as well as comparative data over time (and with others from the industry).
- The Terra Footprint can be a first step on the path to obtaining a certification (e.g., for GSTC).
The calculator is suitable for the following sectors:
- Hotel and hospitality
- Wellness and sports
- Transport
- Culture and sights
- Communities and municipalities
- Operators and services
- Trade and offices
- Wine and beer producers
EarthCheck Evaluate
As an official partner of EarthCheck, we at Terra Institute offer companies and destinations the opportunity to measure and improve their sustainability performance specifically with EarthCheck Evaluate. This program serves as the basis for structuring and managing your sustainability strategy and is supported by EarthCheck’s scientifically based benchmarking and performance improvement system.
What does EarthCheck Evaluate include?
- Personalized access to the MyEarthCheck platform: The platform is available in multiple languages and allows intuitive data entry.
- Performance measurement of four key indicators: Energy, water, waste, and CO₂ emissions are analyzed to assess your environmental footprint.
- Benchmarking: Comparison of your results with the regional average and best-in-class in the same climate zone.
- Earth-Rating certificate: An assessment that makes your progress visible.
- Individual support: Assistance by experienced EarthCheck staff in German or Italian.
With EarthCheck Evaluate, we help you identify savings potential, optimize your sustainability strategy, and communicate your progress transparently.
Act sustainably now – Become part of EarthCheck!
Take the first step toward a sustainable future for your company or destination. With the world’s leading certification from EarthCheck, you optimize your environmental footprint, reduce costs, and strengthen your reputation as a pioneer in sustainable tourism.
Contact us now and start the path to certification together with us. Let us elevate your sustainability strategy to a new level – for a better future!
Frequently asked questions about EarthCheck – FAQs
1. What is EarthCheck?
EarthCheck is the world’s leading environmental certification and benchmarking program for sustainable tourism. Founded in 1987, it offers companies and destinations a scientifically based framework to measure, improve, and certify their environmental and social performance.
2. How does EarthCheck differ from other certifications?
EarthCheck is not based on a scorecard approach but requires the annual fulfillment of all criteria to maintain certification. Regular external audits guarantee credibility and professionalism.
3. Who can get certified?
Certification is open to businesses from the travel, tourism, and accommodation industry, including hotels, resorts, destinations, conference centers, tour operators, and development projects. Regions can also be certified with EarthCheck.
4. Why should I choose EarthCheck?
EarthCheck offers a scientifically based solution for improving environmental performance, strengthens competitiveness through international recognition, and helps companies achieve long-term economic benefits through sustainable practices.
5. How does Terra Institute support the certification?
As an official partner of EarthCheck, we assist businesses and destinations with strategic and operational decisions. We help integrate the tools of the certification process optimally into existing workflows and shape a sustainable future.
6. How long is the EarthCheck certification valid?
The EarthCheck certification is valid for 1 year. Organizations must meet all criteria annually to maintain the certification.
Contacts
Do you have any questions or would you like our support on your journey to becoming a sustainable company?
The easiest way to get in touch with us is here!
Please note our Privacy Policy and conditions.
Thank you very much! We look forward to receiving your message!
office@terra-institute.eu
Tel. +39 0472 970 484.
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BRESSANONE HEADQUARTERS
Terra Institute Srl
Via Sant'Albuino 2
39042 Bressanone (BZ)
Italy
INNSBRUCK OFFICE AUSTRIA WESt
Terra Institute Austria FlexCo
Karl-Kapferer-Straße 5
6020 Innsbruck
Austria