Covered Services
Any overnight accommodation that is paid for by the State for official state business. This includes in-state, out-of-state, and international travel.
Please note that this specification does not permit travelers to be reimbursed for expenses that exceed allowable rates.
Goal
To support businesses that offer lodging options that minimize their environmental impact and have high levels of environmental performance in accordance with the third-party certification programs below.
Standard Setting and Certification Programs
New York Green Business Program: The New York Green Business program (NYGB) is a green business program administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) that strives to incentivize high levels of environmental performance by providing recognition and incentives. NYGB is free, voluntary, and open to all types of businesses, including lodging establishments. More information can be found at: https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/52717.html
Trip Advisor Green Leaders Program: The Trip Advisor Green Leaders Program is a green lodging program administered by the travel website Trip Advisor that provides recognition for establishments with high levels of environmental performance. While there are multiple levels of accreditation within the program, for this specification we consider a lodging establishment that takes part in the program at any of the levels to be participating in it. More information can be found at: https://www.tripadvisor.com/GreenLeaders
Audubon International Green Lodging Program: The Audubon International Green Lodging Program is a green lodging program administered by the non-profit Audubon International that provides third-party verification that a lodging property meets a set of environmental performance criteria. More information can be found at: https://www.auduboninternational.org/green-lodging
Specifications
All affected entities are encouraged to book accommodations at lodging establishments that are members of the New York Green Business program, the Trip Advisor Green Leaders program, or the Audubon International Green Lodging Program.