Michelin retires Green Star sustainability

The MICHELIN Guide said on May 18 it will retire the Green Star, ending a sustainability distinction it introduced in 2020 for restaurants with environmentally minded practices. Michelin announced the change alongside “Mindful Voices,” a new editorial platform it said will feature chefs, hoteliers and wine producers. The company said the new initiative will begin on June 1, 2026 at the MICHELIN Guide Nordic Countries Ceremony in Copenhagen. The rollout will continue across Europe and then worldwide through 2026, Michelin said. ### When does the Green Star actually end? The Green Star will be discontinued at the end of 2026, according to trade publications that reported Michelin’s announcement on May 19. Michelin’s own announcement focused on the launch of Mindful Voices and said the new platform would be rolled out globally over the rest of the year. (guide.michelin.com) The Green Star was launched in 2020 to recognize restaurants “at the forefront” of sustainable gastronomy, according to Michelin pages that remained live on Tuesday. Michelin has continued awarding the distinction this year, including seven new Green Stars in Great Britain and Ireland in February and 41 Green Stars in Austria in March. (thestaffcanteen.com) ### What is Michelin putting in its place? Mindful Voices is an editorial platform rather than a badge or award, according to Michelin’s May 18 announcement. Michelin said it is designed to “amplify the commitment of inspirational chefs, hoteliers and wine producers” and will begin with gastronomy before extending to hospitality and then wine. (guide.michelin.com) June 1 is the first public milestone. Michelin said Mindful Voices will be unveiled at the Nordic Countries ceremony in Copenhagen, then expanded on a European level and worldwide throughout 2026. ### Why did the change draw attention now? October 2025 became an early flashpoint after food writer Nicholas Gill said Michelin had removed Green Star listings and related articles from parts of its website, according to trade coverage published on May 19. (guide.michelin.com) Michelin later denied at the time that it was quietly dropping the distinction, those reports said. May 19 reporting by restaurant industry outlets said the retirement followed months of speculation inside the hospitality sector. Michelin did not frame the move in those reports as a withdrawal from sustainability coverage; instead, the company paired the retirement with a broader storytelling format spanning restaurants, hotels and wine. (boutiquehotelier.com) ### Does Michelin still have other non-star distinctions? Michelin continues to use several other labels across its guides and travel products. The guide’s main site on Tuesday still featured MICHELIN Stars for restaurants, Bib Gourmand selections and MICHELIN Keys for hotels. The company has also kept publishing Green Star-related pages and restaurant profiles even as it announced the distinction’s retirement. (thestaffcanteen.com) A “Green Star Community” section remained accessible on Tuesday, featuring sustainability-focused restaurant stories. ### What should readers watch next? June 1, 2026 is the next named date in Michelin’s plan. (guide.michelin.com) Michelin said Mindful Voices will be unveiled at the Nordic Countries ceremony in Copenhagen, with subsequent expansion across Europe and then worldwide through the rest of 2026. (guide.michelin.com 1) (guide.michelin.com 2)