TSPC News

SWITCH-Asia PERETO Launches ECO KG Certification in Kyrgyzstan's HoReCa Sector Recognizing environmental best practices

January 15, 2024

PERETO project is being implemented by the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) in consortium with partner organizations: UNISON Group (Kyrgyzstan), Technopolis Group (Belgium), Collaborating Center on Sustainable Consumption and Production - СSCP (Germany).

The European Union funded SWITCH-Asia PERETO project has just launched the voluntary environmental certification ECO KG for HoReCa businesses in Kyrgyzstan. This certification will inform customers about the green technologies and sustainable development methods already implemented in cafes, hotels, and restaurants.

Sustainable development remains a crucial topic on the tourism agenda, and the pandemic has highlighted the impact of human activities on the environment and local communities. This has inspired many to make more mindful choices for future travel destinations. An increasing number of tourists now value the opportunity to visit different places while minimizing environmental harm.

“Eco-certification is a significant step in promoting sustainable tourism. It contributes to the additional demand for green technologies in HoReCa establishments, thus reducing the business sector's environmental impact”, said Maksat Damir uulu, Program Manager of the PERETO project.

"At the request of entrepreneurs, we conducted eco-audits in 23 hotels, cafes, and restaurants across Kyrgyzstan in a pilot format. Certified energy and resource efficiency experts performed these audits. Today, we awarded certificates and special quality marks in the categories of 'Bronze' (9 enterprises), 'Silver' (9 enterprises), and 'Gold' (5 enterprises) to those businesses that successfully underwent the audit”, shared Nurzat Abdyrasulova, Founder and Chief Executive Director of Unison Group

Key criteria for eco-certification include:

Environmental management
Water conservation and wastewater management
Waste management
Energy conservation and renewable energy implementation
Eco-friendly management of material resources
Eco-transportation and eco-mobility
Eco-approaches in organizing food supply
Environmental practices in adjacent areas (if applicable)
Social responsibility
Eco-approaches in organizing food supply

For entrepreneurs' convenience, PERETO is also developing the ECO KG mobile application, allowing businesses to self-assess their environmental status and apply for an eco-audit from any location in Kyrgyzstan. The compliance certificates are recorded in the unified registry of certified objects by the executing organization and PERETO's partner, the Green Alliance of Kyrgyzstan, and are valid for 2 years.

"This is our first certification. Today, our hotel received the 'Bronze' category, but we will continue to create conveniences for our guests while caring for nature and strive for the highest award – the 'Gold' category," shared Shayyrgul Abdyrahmanova, owner of Tes Hotel in Osh city.

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