MIAMI — Miami is known globally as a fabulous vacation destination, but it’s also making its mark at becoming one of the most sustainable cities in the world.

That effort is getting a boost through a new partnership between the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau and Green Key Global, an organization that rates hotels based on how eco-friendly they are.

“It’s the right thing to do for our community, for our environment,” said Rolando Aedo, chief operating officer for the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Miami in particular is now starting to elevate itself to that same level of commitment to sustainability.”

The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau is stepping up to make hotels and event spaces a lot more sustainable.

“Miami has achieved a global status, so we are competing with some of the great cities of the world, whether it’s London, whether it’s Paris, whether it’s Singapore,” Aedo said.

The bureau is partnering with Green Key Global to officially certify properties that have made a genuine commitment to reducing their environmental footprint on our precious backyard.

“They are the first visitors bureau to partner with Green Key Global in this manner, and through that leadership, they’re making a commitment not just to protecting the resources in the region but also to enhancing the attractiveness of the greater Miami region, really, as a global destination,” said Anick Levesque, managing director of Green Key Global.

Established in 1994, Green Key Global is an independent organization that certifies hotels and venues for their environmental sustainability and eco-friendly practices.

“And what we do is we assess and certify by way of an independent audit, the environmental and social practices of a hotel,” Levesque said.

Hotels are rated on a scale from one key to five keys, like a star rating, but for the planet -- based on how eco-friendly and sustainable they are.

“By the time you get to five keys, you have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to sustainability across all areas of your operations,” Levesque said.

Less than 5% of all global members have achieved a five-key rating. The 1 Hotel South Beach is one of them.

“We are the only property on the beach to have achieved that. We are very proud of our five green keys,” said Milton Sgarbi, regional vice president of operations for 1 Hotels.

LEED Silver certified just two years after a massive $500 million renovation, 1 Hotel South Beach is designed with the planet in mind, pairing eco-conscious materials with energy-efficient operations to bring a new level of green luxury to Miami.

“Our planet is beautiful, and we want to keep it this way. So with that in mind, sustainability is part of our DNA and nature guides everything we do,” Sgarbi said.

From water conservation to energy efficiency to waste management, the hotel is leading the way.

“So we achieved, in January this year, 78% waste diversion -- diversion that would go to the landfill -- and we managed to divert, our pile of composting is bigger than our pile of trash, just to give an idea,” Sgarbi said.

Partnering with Compost for Life and Glass for Life, the hotel has recycled some 220,000 pounds of glass, turning it back into valuable sand. And their clients love it.

Data shows 90% of travelers want sustainable options.

“So those hotels that do decide to get certified will get extra special recognition on all our marketing platforms, our websites, our newsletters, and that generates more business for them as well,” Aedo said.

Sustainability is giving Miami an edge when it comes to competing for global events. That’s why the Miami Beach Convention Center is also part of the program. It’s LEED Silver certified and boasts four keys. The Palms Hotel Miami Beach also has four keys. The Hyatt Regency Coral Gables has five keys. The bureau wants every property to get on board.

“We are actually incentivizing hotels financially to undertake the certification process,” Aedo said.

The bureau is subsidizing 50% of the first-year costs for certification, approximately $500 per hotel.

“We are blessed with so much in our environment, but whether it’s sea level rise or climate change, we should be at the forefront. And thankfully, we are. And I think the Green Key Global partnership is one part of that equation,” Aedo said.

“If more hotels do that, it is good for the environment, it is good for everyone. I think it’s a collective benefit, so we would love to have company there,” Sgarbi said.

Right now, 27 hotels in Miami-Dade County are Green Key certified. More than 100 have already begun the process.

Officials say it’s a win-win -- a win for the planet and a win for hotels -- because, bottom line, being eco-conscious is also good for business.

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