Blue Flag certification is a tag (eco-label) that is awarded to the beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators for meeting the stringent standards set by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Started in 1987 as the European Blue Flag, in 2001 became the international Blue Flag program.
- Since the Blue Flag Programme was established in 1987, this year marks its 35th anniversary.
- On Wednesday, 25 May 2022, the newly awarded sites for season 2022 were updated on the map as shown on the official website blueflag.global.
- Among the objectives of the Blue Flag programme is to encourage the public to connect with their surroundings by learning more about them.
Check out the Blue Flag Beaches in India List Here.
Check the most important facts on the International Blue Flag programme below.
| Certification Name | International Blue Flag |
| Earlier Name | European Blue Flag |
| Organisation | Foundation for Environmental Education |
| Started Year | 1987 |
| First Country To Join | South Africa |
| Strategy | GAIA 20:30 |
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What Does Blue Flag Status Mean?
Originally started in 1985 as an environmental awareness initiative in France, the Blue Flag initiative is now an annual award program for the member countries of the Foundation for Environmental Education.
The Blue Flag accreditation is an environmental award that is in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This award recognizes beaches, marinas, and boat managers based on sustainably, and accessibility, and has high-quality services and safety practices. An international team of juries comprising the members of the UN Environment Programme, UN World Tourism Organization, Foundation for Environmental Education, and IUCN decides the winners based on the audit and report.
Foundation for Environmental Education
Foundation for Environmental Education is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark and is a not-for-profit non-governmental organization that is constantly working on making positive change on a global scale. FEE with current members in 77 countries is the world’s largest environmental education organization. Each member country has its national FEE to represent the international organization and to make the certification process easier. Apart from Blue Flag, FEE also runs other groundbreaking programs such as Green Key, Eco-Schools, Young Reporters for the Environment, and Learning about Forests to help make a more sustainable world. To help reduce the carbon footprint globally FEE also operates the Global Forest Fund.
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Blue Flag Certification Criteria
There are different sets of criteria for all the categories to which the Blue Flag is awarded. The basic criteria for the award include a) environmental information and education, b) water quality, c) environmental management, and d) safety and services. The three sets of criteria are discussed in brief further.
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Blue Flag Beach Criteria
- Information pertaining to coastal zones, bathing water quality, Blue Flag Programme, and code of conduct for the beach should be displayed with at least five environmental education activities for the site staff.
- In order to maintain bathing water quality a check on sewage treatment, health monitoring of coral reefs, and inspection of Algae or other vegetation should be done properly.
- A management team must be established to regulate various operations of the beach such as waste disposal, recycling, camping or driving, concerns of domestic animals and transportation facilities for the beach.
- To safeguard the lives of people required amount of lifesaving equipment and lifeguards must be available. Access to drinking water, toilet facilities and a map of the beach is mandatory.
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Blue Flag Marina Criteria
- Information regarding natural sensitive nearby land and marina, the code of environmental conduct, criteria for Blue Flag marina along with at least three environmental education activities for the marina staff.
- A dedicated team should be established to look after the hazardous waste handling by the licensed facility, recycling facility, bilge water and toilet pumping facility.
- Signs for various facilities must be installed. Maps, electricity and drinking water is also a must.
- Visually clean water (bacterial-free) is evident for the Blue Flag marina certificate.
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Blue Flag Boating Tourism Operator Criteria
- Information about the local environmental phenomena, criteria for tourism boats, and code of conduct for passengers must be shared. Environmental training for staff, hiring of qualified guides and at least one environmental education drive are included in the rules.
- A proper management team must be deployed to keep a check on systematic environmental audits, operation and maintenance of the boats, hazardous waste handling, recycling, bilge water treatment, and adherence to the code of conduct.
- Proper signboards for facilities and safety protocols should be installed.
- The tour management should promote social integrity and no discrimination should be reported.
- Tour operators are also responsible for their duties for animals and for that vulnerable and protected areas must be handled with a responsible spirit.
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Who Can Apply For Blue Flag Certification?
Only local authorities or private beach operators are permitted to apply for a Blue Flag for beaches if they are fulfilling the required criteria for the accreditation. This should be noted that the award is given for one season at a time and the same is valid as long as the criteria are fulfilled. If upon the inspection by the national FEE member organization conditions are found to be breached the Blue flag is revoked.
Which Country Has The Most Blue Flag Beaches?
Spain is the country that has been awarded the most number Blue Flag tags for beaches. The other countries that are also awarded a high number of Blue Flag awards include Turkey, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Denmark.
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Blue Flag Certification Benefits
However, the Blue Flag award is provided just for a season but this recognition helps in multiple ways to the selected site and locality.
- The recognition from an international organization introduces the selected beach, marina or boating tourism operators to a large community. Hence it helps improve tourism.
- An increase in tourism helps flourish the local community by aiding their livelihood and income.
- As per the criteria, the information and education are driven by the selected site help improve the awareness of the environment in the public sphere.
- These beaches and marina are home to some of the unique natural and cultural belongings and the award helps in their conservation and protection.
- The Blue Flag award promotes sustainability and hence contributes to environmental protection.
Blue Flag Certification – FAQs
the blue flag certification is the world’s most renowned environmental award (eco-label) that is awarded to various beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators. It is provided on fulfilling some stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria.
The Blue Flag certification is given by the Denmark-based non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
5042 beaches, marinas and tourism boats across 48 countries have been awarded by the International Blue Flag certification so far.
Spain has 614 beaches, 96 marinas, & 2 boats so in total 712 blue flag-certified sites which is the maximum by a single country.
Total 12 Indian beaches have been provided with the coveted Blue Flag certificate.
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