Adventure Green Alaska certification criteria is grounded in the seventeen United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals aim to promote peace and prosperity by improving health, education, and equality, while fostering economic growth, tackling climate change, and protecting our oceans and forests. By aligning with these global objectives, Adventure Green Alaska helps businesses operate responsibly, supporting environmental sustainability and benefiting local communities.

Adventure Green Alaska supports sustainable tourism in Alaska through four pillars: management, local communities and economies, the environment, and Alaska history and culture.

Adventure Green Alaska (AGA) certified businesses demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability by actively engaging in their communities through philanthropic efforts. As part of our Sustainability Spotlight series, we highlight the impactful community actions that AGA-certified businesses are dedicated to, including support for local infrastructure and social development.

Certified tourism businesses also adhere to fair labor practices and ensure safe working conditions, which contribute significantly to poverty reduction and the enhancement of local livelihoods. By offering fair wages, providing adequate benefits, and fostering inclusive work environments, AGA-certified businesses help improve the quality of life for their employees and their families. These practices not only support economic stability but also promote a more equitable society. Additionally, businesses within the food sector go above and beyond to prioritize food safety, implementing rigorous standards to safeguard food supplies. This commitment ensures that consumers can trust the integrity of the products they purchase, protecting both their health and the broader community’s well-being. Through these efforts, AGA-certified businesses contribute to the achievement of both zero hunger and the reduction of poverty in the regions where they operate.

AGA-certified businesses are dedicated to creating safe and healthy work environments by providing thorough training to reduce work-related injuries. They implement written safety policies and procedures to ensure consistent practices across their operations.

Tourism businesses certified by Adventure Green Alaska place a strong emphasis on health and safety by minimizing the use of hazardous substances, including pesticides, paints, and cleaning agents. They actively seek safer alternatives and employ eco-friendly products whenever possible to reduce the potential risks to both human health and the environment. These businesses follow stringent protocols for the safe storage, handling, and disposal of chemicals, ensuring that all procedures align with best practices and regulatory standards. By doing so, they mitigate the potential for accidents or contamination that could harm employees, customers, or local ecosystems. This commitment to safety extends beyond just compliance; it reflects a broader responsibility to uphold environmental stewardship and contribute to the long-term health of the community and natural surroundings. Through these proactive measures, AGA-certified businesses help create a safer and healthier workplace while promoting sustainable practices that benefit both people and the planet.

Certified businesses integrate education on the ecology and natural history of Alaska as a core component of staff training and orientation. Employees receive instruction on the history and cultures of the regions in which they operate, fostering a deeper understanding of the surrounding environment and communities. Staff members are actively involved in the development and implementation of the sustainability management system and receive comprehensive training on their respective roles and responsibilities within this framework.

In their operations, these businesses communicate information regarding local history and cultures to customers, emphasizing the importance of respectful visitation practices that align with local customs and Alaska Native cultures. Customers are provided with guidelines on appropriate conduct during their visits, promoting a respectful and informative experience.

Adventure Green Alaska certified businesses adhere to state and federal legal guidelines regarding gender discrimination, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws. These businesses actively promote gender equality and work to reduce inequalities within the workplace through the implementation of comprehensive management guidelines and internal policies. Such policies emphasize the importance of creating an inclusive environment that fosters fairness and equal opportunities for both employees and customers. By prioritizing these principles, certified businesses contribute to the reduction of inequalities, supporting a more equitable and just work environment.

Adventure Green Alaska certified businesses are committed to environmental responsibility by adhering to legal guidelines for the proper disposal of hazardous waste materials. They also prioritize sustainability by using non-toxic, phosphate-free, biodegradable laundry detergents and cleaning products, which minimize water pollution and reduce harmful chemical runoff.

Certified tourism businesses also make efforts to reduce energy consumption by utilizing low-energy lighting solutions, such as LED or fluorescent lights, in place of traditional incandescent bulbs. Many businesses within the Adventure Green Alaska program further demonstrate their commitment to sustainability by investing in renewable energy sources, including solar panels and hydroelectric energy systems. These initiatives not only reduce the businesses’ carbon footprint but also contribute to the support of renewable energy solutions for a more sustainable future.

Adventure Green Alaska certified businesses establish comprehensive frameworks to manage occupational health and safety risks, ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for their employees. As part of their certification, they set clear sustainability goals every two years, which are evaluated to ensure continuous improvement and innovation. This ongoing process reflects their commitment to adapting and evolving their practices to meet new challenges. These goals are central to fostering sustainable business practices, managing risks, and contributing to the long-term economic growth of the communities they serve.

Certified businesses actively support local economies by encouraging customers to purchase local goods and services, as well as visit local visitor centers, museums, and other regional attractions. Many Adventure Green Alaska member businesses form partnerships with local suppliers and businesses, regularly sourcing food, equipment, and services from the community. Additionally, the organization fosters local entrepreneurship by supporting the development and sale of sustainable products and services that reflect the area’s natural, historical, and cultural heritage. Where appropriate, opportunities for joint ventures and collaborations with local entrepreneurs are actively pursued, further strengthening community ties and driving innovation within the local economy.

Adventure Green Alaska certified businesses are committed to operating sustainably, an aspect of this mission being the promotion of economic sustainability within the communities they operate in. Most certified businesses maintain their primary offices in Alaska and prioritize employing local residents, offering equal opportunities for employment and advancement, including in managerial positions. By providing employment to community members, certified businesses play a significant role in fostering a resilient and thriving local economy. Additionally, these businesses actively encourage engagement from in-state consumers by offering discounts or providing educational trips to local schools and organizations.

Certified businesses also demonstrate a strong commitment to responsible tourism by adhering to established best practices and guidelines for visits to cultural sites and Indigenous communities. They carefully monitor and promote visits to culturally or historically sensitive areas to minimize potential adverse impacts while maximizing benefits for both the local communities and visitors. In their operations, certified businesses integrate authentic elements of both traditional and contemporary local culture into their designs, décor, cuisine, and retail offerings, ensuring that they respect the intellectual property rights and cultural traditions of local communities.

Adventure Green Alaska certified businesses place a strong emphasis on responsible consumption and production practices, recognizing their role in minimizing environmental impacts. They implement a variety of energy-efficient measures to reduce their carbon footprint, including the use of low-energy lighting, the sealing of gaps through caulking, and the installation of weather stripping on doors and windows. These initiatives help to reduce energy consumption and improve overall operational efficiency.

In addition to energy savings, Adventure Green Alaska certified businesses prioritize the reduction of waste and the promotion of recycling. They provide both employees and customers with convenient recycling opportunities, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility. Certified businesses make intentional purchasing decisions, opting for paper products such as office paper and toilet paper with a minimum of 30% post-consumer recycled content, supporting sustainable resource use.

Adventure Green Alaska member businesses take further strides in sustainability by actively promoting the use of recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable items in their operations. Many businesses go beyond these foundational practices by eliminating single-use items altogether, such as plastic water bottles and utensils, in favor of more sustainable alternatives. In sourcing goods and services, these businesses prioritize local suppliers and fair trade products, ensuring that such items not only meet established quality standards but are also sourced ethically and contribute to the local economy. By integrating these practices into their operations, Adventure Green Alaska certified businesses demonstrate a strong commitment to responsible consumption and production, thereby advancing both environmental sustainability and community well-being.

All Adventure Green Alaska certified tourism businesses are required to publish a sustainability statement on their websites. This statement provides an overview of how the business contributes to the economic, environmental, and cultural sustainability of Alaska. It includes specific actions taken by the business to minimize its environmental impact, such as investing in energy-efficient technologies, purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles, and incorporating renewable energy sources like solar panels. These practices reflect the business’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and supporting sustainable development in the tourism industry in Alaska.

In addition to outlining current initiatives, the sustainability statement often details the business’s long-term goals and objectives related to sustainability. These goals may include further reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste, and implementing additional environmentally responsible practices. By sharing these goals and progress, certified businesses demonstrate a dedication to continuous improvement and a proactive approach to climate action. Through these efforts, Adventure Green Alaska certified businesses contribute to the broader goal of combating climate change while fostering a sustainable future for local communities and the environment.

Adventure Green Alaska certified businesses demonstrate a strong awareness of the natural protected areas and regions with high biodiversity within their operational areas. These businesses take deliberate steps to manage waste in a way that prevents unintentional feeding of wildlife or other detrimental environmental impacts. By doing so, they contribute to minimizing their ecological footprint and protecting local species.

AGA-certified businesses actively engage in efforts to reduce their impact on local ecosystems and species, with some members participating in programs such as Whale SENSE, local beach cleanups, and offering in-kind donations of vessels and staff for scientific research. These initiatives reflect a commitment to conservation and sustainable practices that support the protection of both marine and terrestrial environments.

Certified businesses also adhere to established guidelines designed to minimize impacts on native plant and wildlife species. This often includes educating customers on the importance of respectful visitation and minimizing their environmental impact during their interactions with nature. Furthermore, Adventure Green Alaska member businesses provide both monetary and in-kind support to biodiversity conservation efforts, demonstrating their commitment to preserving the region’s natural heritage and contributing to long-term environmental sustainability.

Adventure Green Alaska certified businesses operate with a commitment to holistic sustainability, fostering experiences that connect visitors with Alaska’s natural landscapes, local history, and Indigenous cultures. These businesses play an integral role in sharing the beauty and richness of Alaska with both locals and tourists, offering opportunities that contribute to the social and cultural fabric of the communities they serve. By choosing AGA-certified businesses, customers are supporting sustainable practices that not only benefit them personally but also contribute positively to the local communities and ecosystems they visit.

Certified businesses are fully compliant with all relevant local, national, and international laws and regulations. They ensure that all legal requirements within their areas of operation are thoroughly understood and consistently met. This commitment to adhering to established legal standards further supports the integrity and transparency of their operations, reinforcing the role of these businesses in promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions within their communities.

Adventure Green Alaska leverages the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to support and advance the broader mission set forth by the United Nations. By partnering with businesses across the state of Alaska, Adventure Green Alaska plays a pivotal role in promoting these global objectives. Through these collaborations, the organization actively contributes to the advancement of the SDGs, helping to spread awareness and drive progress toward achieving a more sustainable and equitable future for both Alaska and the world.