When surveyed by the Reef-World Foundation (RWF), 64 percent of divers shared they want to book with eco-conscious operators and resorts—but 85 percent said it’s too challenging to determine which ones are green and to what extent. After all, eco-friendly can mean anything from a hotel asking you to hang up your towel to save on wash cycles to a fully off-grid, sustainable island property.

To streamline the process for green-seeking travelers, the United Nations Environment Programme worked with RWF and PADI to develop a global system to rate a resort or operator’s commitment to the environment. The highest certification: PADI Eco Center.

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To qualify, each center must first be part of PADI AWARE’s Adopt the Blue program, selecting a local dive site as its focus, tracking data on it and working to expand marine protected areas locally. They’re asked to concentrate efforts on the site, which might include encouraging guests to snap photos of the reef to help monitor its health.

These Eco Centers must also be Green Fins members, meeting standards for waste management, energy use, staff training and best diving practices.

Lastly, each Eco Center chooses a project to give back to its local reefs. These projects can range from leading Dive Against Debris campaigns to targeting a specific reef and actively monitoring its health. For dive travelers, this means ample opportunities to give back when on holiday.

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“It’s a rigorous process,” says Samantha Pearson, global public relations manager at PADI, of becoming an Eco Center. “You can’t just sign up.”

Today, there are more than 100 PADI Eco Centers in more than 30 countries. Choose any of PADI’s Eco Centers, says Pearson, and “you can book with confidence, knowing your money is going directly to supporting local communities and local coastlines.”

➜ More at padi.com/ecocenter.