News

Hotel Staff Training and Sustainability:

When Raquel Noboa survived the 2004 Maldives tsunami, it sparked more than survival—it ignited her mission. In her Schulering podcast and blog feature, "Hotel Staff Training and Sustainability: Raquel Noboa’s Journey from Eco‑Anxiety to Global Impact," she shares how personal trauma shaped her vision of practical, people-centered sustainability for the hospitality industry.

More than vision—Raquel turned it into action. She transformed Hotel Doolin through staff-led training, cutting energy by 30%, waste by 40%, and water by 25%. That success became the blueprint for Fifty Shades Greener.

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Podcast Feature: Making Sustainability a Core Part of Your Organisation’s Success

What happens when sustainability isn’t a side project — but part of everything you do?

In this Foundation & Friends podcast episode, Raquel Noboa (Founder of Fifty Shades Greener and Princess Royal Training Award recipient) joins Edwin Raj of Johnson Matthey to explore how sustainability can be embedded into organisational culture from day one.

They unpack the power of practical training, the role of HR and L&D teams, and why true change starts with everyday actions — not perfection.

If you're working in learning & development, HR, or driving sustainability at your organisation, this one is for you.

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Leading with Joy for a Greener Future

Our founder Raquel Noboa was selected as one of the 05 Influential Sustainability Leaders in 2025 by Elitex.

Raquel’s story is one of transformation—from a young girl who loved animals, to a hotel manager dealing with eco-anxiety, to a passionate educator and changemaker. Her life shows that even in the face of fear and frustration, it is possible to build something meaningful.

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Empowering a Sustainable Future Through Education

Our very own Raquel Noboa was featured in Aspioneer, sharing her journey in sustainability education and the mission behind Fifty Shades Greener. From transforming businesses to driving real environmental change, Raquel’s story is all about action, impact, and a greener future.

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MCGI Award

The Diploma of Membership of the City and Guilds of London Institute (MCGI) is awarded on the basis of evidence of achievement, obtained through education and training and/or in employment, at a level of competence that could be expected of a holder of a Master’s degree of a recognised European university. The MCGI is conferred by the Council on the recommendation of the Nominations Committee.

Princess Royal Training Award: Employer 2024

We have won again!

FSG wins the Princess Royal Training Awards for the second consecutive year for our commitment to learning and development.

Green Skills Strategy Launch

15th October 2024 , Ireland

Minister O’Donovan launches first National Further Education and Training Strategy for the Green Transition

Green Skills Summit

7th october 2024, Kuwait

A Green Skills Summit was held in Kuwait. It was high-level event focused on driving the sustainable transformation of the Kuwaiti economy.

Read the Post Summit Report

We are Travalyst Certified!

Our Green Business Certification programme for Hospitality has been approved by Travalyst.

Princess Royal Training Awards winners!

Sustainability consultants Fifty Shades Greener were commended for outstanding improvements to its training processes in 2023 and 2024.

Dunmore House Gold Award

Clonakilty’s Dunmore House Hotel has been given the stamp of approval for sustainability after earning a prestigious Gold Award, after the hotel’s ‘Green Team’ worked to reduce their negative environmental impact

EU in Oman

Raquel Noboa travelled to Oman to deliver a keynote speech as part of the EU Clinic “Green Jobs and The Youth Perspective"

World's Leaders

Raquel Noboa featured in World's Leader Managzine for leading the charge in environmental education across the world.

Ultimate guide to CSRD

CSRD applies to all businesses within the European Union, including subsidiaries of foreign companies located and doing business in Europe.

Awards

Winner of the Princess Royal Training Awards 2023 & 2024

Honouring and celebrating employers who believe and can prove that investing in training their staff has resulted in exceptional benefits for their business.

Green Light Award - Reader Travel Awards

Raquel Noboa of Fifty Shades Greener has helped the hospitality industry in Ireland rethink sustainability, our Reader Travel Awards judges say.

When it comes to sustainability, no one gets it quite like Raquel Noboa.

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Articles About Founder & CEO Raquel Noboa

Raquel Noboa global hospitality magazine

Exploring How Language Serves as a Barrier to Achieving Sustainability Goals

FE Education News

Sustainability needs to be demystified and easy to understand BY EVERYONE, not just scientists, not just the people writing the rules and standards. EVERYONE.