17
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals mapped to our certification
Sustainable Development Goals
Global standards. Regenerative impact.
Regenera Luxury is the first certification system designed to align luxury boutique hotels, wellness retreats and holistic centers with the UN Sustainable Development Goals through a regenerative lens.
Why the SDGs Matter in Luxury Hospitality
We do not simply comply — we activate, measure and elevate.
The Sustainable Development Goals, launched by the United Nations in 2015, are the world’s most comprehensive agenda for eradicating poverty, restoring planetary health and ensuring dignity for all. Yet in luxury travel, few frameworks truly operationalize these goals with depth, metrics and integrity.
Unlike certifications that focus only on reducing harm, Regenera Luxury is built on the principle that hospitality can become a net-positive force — for cultural integrity, biodiversity regeneration, community resilience and emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
Each hotel or retreat that follows the Regenera Luxury framework contributes to a multi-dimensional transformation that reflects, supports and deepens the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda.
The 2030 Agenda
A framework we operationalize — not decorate.
8
Core areas of regenerative excellence in the Strategic Evolution Toolkit
1st
Certification globally to align luxury hospitality with the SDGs through a regenerative lens
How We Integrate the SDGs
From action to measurable impact.
Through our Strategic Evolution Toolkit (SET) and certification criteria, we directly connect hotels’ actions with primary and secondary SDGs across each of the eight core areas of regenerative excellence.
01
Governance & Foundation
Transparent ethical codes, anti-corruption policies and formal grievance mechanisms. Aligned with SDG 16 and SDG 17.
02
Operations & Hotel Zones
Renewable energy, water stewardship, responsible procurement and waste reduction across daily operations. SDG 6, 7, 12 and 13.
03
Environmental Regeneration
Carbon accounting, reforestation, marine conservation and biodiversity protection. SDG 13, 14 and 15.
04
Regenerative Construction & Infrastructure
Innovative, regenerative materials, energy-efficient infrastructure and circular technologies. SDG 9, 11 and 12.
05
Wellness & Revitalization
Biophilic design and holistic wellbeing for guests and surrounding communities alike. SDG 3, 5 and 10.
06
Socioeconomic Regeneration
Fair local employment, micro-enterprise support and inclusive economic opportunity. SDG 1, 8 and 10.
07
Cultural Heritage & Living Legacy
Local knowledge transfer, placemaking and the preservation of living heritage. SDG 4 and 11.
08
Impact Monitoring & Transparency
Collaboration with NGOs, academia and local governments, with open reporting. SDG 17.
The Goals, Mapped
Every relevant SDG, connected to our criteria.
For each goal we identify the Regenera Luxury sections it connects to and exactly why a certified property advances it.
SDG 1
No Poverty
Section F: Social & Economic Regeneration
Certified properties must generate fair local employment, support micro-enterprises and create inclusive economic opportunities in the surrounding communities.
SDG 3
Good Health & Well-being
Section E: Wellness & Revitalization · Section F: Well-being Index
Certified hotels promote physical, emotional and spiritual regeneration for guests and local communities, using biophilic design, holistic wellness and emotional-health metrics.
SDG 4
Quality Education
Section F: Community Education & Capacity Building · Section G: Cultural Heritage
The certification requires properties to support local knowledge transfer, environmental education, ancestral wisdom and community-led training initiatives.
SDG 5
Gender Equality
Section F: Community Education & Capacity Building · Section G: Cultural Heritage
Properties must ensure the equitable participation of women and marginalized communities across regeneration programs, hiring and capacity building.
SDG 6
Clean Water & Sanitation
Section B: Hotel Operations (Water) · Section C: Environmental Benefits
Certified hotels must implement water conservation, rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse and water-quality monitoring systems.
SDG 7
Affordable & Clean Energy
Section B: Operations · Section C: Environmental Impact & Climate
Criteria include renewable energy systems, energy-efficiency plans and passive architectural design that reduces energy loads.
SDG 8
Decent Work & Economic Growth
Section A: Governance · Section F: Socioeconomic Regeneration
Regenera Luxury ensures dignified, ethical employment and supports long-term local economic resilience, fair trade and staff development.
SDG 9
Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
Section D: Regenerative Construction, Materials & Infrastructure
The standard requires the use of innovative, regenerative building materials, energy-efficient infrastructure and circular technologies.
SDG 10
Reduced Inequalities
Section A: Governance & Inclusion Policies · Section F: Equitable Community Engagement
Certified properties must demonstrate equity in hiring, procurement and community relations — especially with historically excluded groups.
SDG 11
Sustainable Cities & Communities
Section D: Infrastructure · Section G: Cultural Heritage & Legacy
Hotels must be integrated into local identity, architecture and socio-cultural life; preservation of heritage and placemaking are central.
SDG 12
Responsible Consumption & Production
Section B: Procurement & Waste · Section C: Circular Economy · Section D: Materials & Lifecycle
Regenera Luxury applies circular principles: ethical sourcing, waste reduction, life-cycle analysis and food-waste management.
SDG 13
Climate Action
Section C: Environmental Regeneration · Section H: Monitoring (Carbon Footprint)
Carbon accounting is mandatory. Hotels must measure and reduce emissions, promote reforestation and adopt low-impact systems.
SDG 14
Life Below Water
Section C: Environmental Benefits
For coastal or island properties, the certification requires marine conservation, reef protection and prevention of marine pollution.
SDG 15
Life on Land
Section C: Ecosystem Regeneration & Biodiversity · Section F: Land Stewardship
Criteria include native reforestation, regenerative agriculture, protection of endemic species and bioregional monitoring.
SDG 16
Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
Section A: Governance & Ethical Compliance
Hotels must implement anti-corruption policies, transparent ethical codes and formal grievance mechanisms.
SDG 17
Partnerships for the Goals
Section H: Partnerships, Reporting & Transparency
The certification encourages collaboration with NGOs, academic institutions, local governments and regenerative networks.
Join the 2030 Agenda
Align your property with the goals that matter.
Activated · Measured · Elevated