C.A.R.E. Organization
Assessment and Criteria
Our criteria were designed to assess the operation of accommodation businesses in Thailand including Hotels, Resorts, Hostels, Guesthouses/Inns, Homestays, and Houseboats.
In order to be qualified for the C.A.R.E. label assessment, the candidate accommodations must fundamentally operate legally in compliance with all applicable local, national, and international regulations.
Next, our criteria will evaluate whether the accommodations are operating sustainably based on the environment, social, and transparency aspects as stated below.
In the total of 60 points, the assessment will grade the practices in 0-2 points system.
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0 means have not started/inoperative
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1 means initiated with room for improvement
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2 means perfectly done
To earn a care label, you have to become a member of Agoda.
1. Environment
C.A.R.E. Criteria
Full Score
Score Received
Proper waste segregation system
2
Managing the municipal solid waste in an efficient way (Ex. rejuvenating, upcycling waste and/or selling to recycling shops, etc.)
2
Wastewater is effectively treated and is only reused or released safely, with no adverse effects to the local population or the environment. (Ex. reusing treated greywater for toilet flushing, watering plants, hotel housekeeping and cleaning, etc.)
2
Managing the food waste in an efficient way (Ex. composting into fertilizer , donating waste for animal feed, converting into Biogas, etc.)
2
Water Consumption
Encourage the reduction of water consumption among all guests and staff (Ex. designing and putting up signs in the property, etc.)
2
The use of water conservation (Ex. rainwater is captured for use, etc.)
2
Have a system to keep track of water usage in the property (Ex. hotel facilities, gardening, etc.)
2
Eco-Friendly Property Facilities
Innovative eco-swimming pool (Ex. saltwater pool, other Chemical-free pool systems, etc.)
2
Restrict smoking areas for employees and guests
2
Banning internal use of all plastic products and usage of eco-friendly alternatives (Ex. ceramic toiletries containers, glass bottles, green cleaning products, recycled tissue papers, bamboo toothbrushes, etc.)
2
Energy Consumption
Have a system to keep track of energy usage in the property (Ex. electricity in hotel facilities, etc.)
2
Encourage the energy conservation among all guests and staff (Ex. designing and putting up signs in the property, etc.)
2
Set all air conditioners at 25-27 degree celsius
2
Use energy-saving light bulbs
2
Effort to increase usage of renewable and/or clean energy (Ex. Using Solar Energy, Combined Heating and Power,Geothermal, Bio Fuels, Wind, Zero-carbon energy sources, etc.)
2
Suppliers
Local Sourcing of supplies (Ex. food ingredients, cleaning products, toiletries, etc.)
2
Endorse suppliers who offer natural, eco-friendly, organic supplies
2
2. Social
Staff
Appoint the department that is specifically responsible for the sustainable implementation in the property
2
Provide ongoing staff training on sustainable operations
2
Employees are involved in the development process and the management plan
2
No social, gender, or racial discrimination of any kinds is practiced or supported
2
Waste Management (Municipal Solid, Water, Food)
Community
Plans to support local people (Ex. networking to promote local businesses, training for locals to improve job opportunities, supporting locals’ education, CSR projects, etc.)
2
Have a plan to involve and take the local people’s opinions into account when the property expects to launch a new project or change policies that may affect their livelihood
2
Solid waste disposal (process of treating solid wastes) has no adverse effect on the local population or the environment
2
Pollution management (Noise, Air)
Control and prevent noise pollution in the residents area or the local community nearby
2
Frequently examine and preventing the excessive noise control (Ex. from Hotel’s construtural renovation)
2
Use organic pesticides to avoid harming the neighbor
2
Prevent the dissemination of dust, chemical solutions, or volatile matters from construction sites to residents and employees
2
Control air pollution caused by combustion activities
2
3. Transparency
Integrate measures of sustainability implementation into the annual reports and/or publish annual sustainability reports
2
TOTAL (100%)
60
4. Extra Criteria
Encourage plant-based food within the menu
Utilize the transportation system that help reduce carbon footprint
Biodiversity support
Flora and Fauna (Ex. Apply organic farming, chemical-free pest control)
Cultural Management
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Company policy includes established guidelines or code of conduct of behavior concerning the protection of local cultures and historical sites.
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The business does not exploit the cultural intellectual property of the local community
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Historical artifacts are not sold, traded or displayed, except as permitted by law
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Contribution to conservation, preservation and strengthening of traditional, culture, Archeological and spiritual sites
Other innovations
C.A.R.E. Criteria
Check Point ✔
For the candidates to earn the ‘C.A.R.E. label’ and become one of the ‘C.A.R.E. Changemakers’, they must gain at least 40 points from this assessment criteria. Besides, the C.A.R.E. label has 3 levels of ranking ranging from 1 to 3 green hearts.
The ‘Changemakers’ who gain 40-49 points will get 1 green heart.
The ‘Changemakers’ who gain 50-59 points will get 2 green hearts
The ‘Changemakers’ who gain full 60 points will get 3 green hearts.
Furthermore, candidates who already received 3 green hearts and have at least one innovative and creative initiative beyond our fundamental assessment criteria will receive a ‘Golden C.A.R.E. Changemaker’ label distinction to denote them as the honorable best-practiced accommodations.
Although the registration for assessment will be available all year round, the C.A.R.E. label is valid for only 3 years.