Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Sustainable Tourism

Environmental Achievements

• 88% of Airbnb hosts around the world incorporate green practices, such as eco-friendly cleaning, recycling and composting, use of renewable energy such as solar panels, and encourage guests to use public transportation or bicycles. This includes over 88% of hosts in Europe (over 94% in the UK) and over 90% of hosts in North America.
• Homes advertised through Airbnb generate less waste, use less water, and expend less energy than traditional hotels.

Social Achievements

• Empowered people to convert underutilized assets into profit. This has generated more revenue for municipalities through taxation, and has created employment and revenue for millions of people. In 2018, Airbnb travelers and hosts in the top 30 countries visited generated €86 billion (over $100 billion USD) in profit.
• More than 50% of Airbnb users are women.
• Airbnb partnered with a local non-government organization (NGO) to save the historic village of Grottole, Italy.
• Airbnb completed the restoration of Casa Greco in Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy, which is now a House for Artists and open to visitors through the Airbnb platform.

Governance Achievements

• Airbnb actively works with policymakers and local communities to identify sustainable solutions that benefit all, particularly in emerging destinations.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Mass tourism creating challenges for local governments in areas such as resource consumption and waste management.
• The collapse of tour operator Thomas Cook marked a turning point in the industry, away from standardized packaged tours and towards more unique, personalized travel experiences.
• The rise of environmental awareness, manifested in the current flight shaming trend, also had an impact on the industry, as people sought out alternative means of transport to avoid the high CO2 footprint of airline travel.

Mitigation Strategies

• Airbnb actively works with policymakers and local communities to identify sustainable solutions that benefit all, particularly in emerging destinations where it is so important that tourism be nurtured as a resource, and to ensure the returns stay within the community rather than being siphoned out.
• Promoting healthy tourism—tourism that benefits the hosts who share their homes, the guests who are seeking authentic, affordable experiences, and the local residents whose cultures, customs and economies are respected, observed and supported.

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The initiatives described in the report contribute to these goals by promoting sustainable tourism that benefits local communities and the environment.