Tourism is responsible for an estimated 8.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and that number is continuing to grow. A 2024 study published in Nature Communications confirms this, noting that tourism emissions are projected to double by 2050 if no significant changes are made. (Sun et al., 2024)
So, where do these emissions come from, and what can hosts do to help reduce them?
According to the Tourism Emissions Project Summary, the three major contributors are: Aviation, Energy Use and Transport.
Weaving sustainability into your hosting doesn’t mean a complete overhaul—it means taking thoughtful steps that align with your values, your local context, and your guest experience. As more travellers actively seek out sustainable stays, it’s also a chance to stand out in a meaningful way.
1. ✈️ Aviation
Air travel is the single largest source of emissions in tourism, especially for long-haul and business-class flights. While Hosts can't control how guests travel, we can help make their stay more worthwhile by encouraging longer, slower travel and providing suggestions for meaningful local experiences. These types of trips reduce the need for frequent travel and help guests get more from their journey.
2. 🏡 Energy Use in Accommodation and Tourism Sites
The energy used to run tourism operations—including accommodation—is a major contributor to emissions, from heating and cooling to lighting, hot water, and laundry. Here’s how Hosts can take action:
Start with making your home more energy efficient: this includes:
- Sealing drafts, adding insulation, installing thermal-backed curtains, and upgrading to energy-efficient lighting.
- Setting heating and cooling systems to sensible temperature ranges for your climate.
- Adding friendly, visible reminders for guests to turn off appliances and lights when heading out.
When it’s time to upgrade, choose energy-efficient appliances such as:
- Hot water heat pumps
- Reverse-cycle heating and cooling
- Induction cooktops
Also consider:
- Installing solar panels and batteries to generate and store clean energy.
- Switching to a renewable energy provider if solar isn’t an option.
These upgrades often pay off over time by lowering bills and boosting property value, and they make your space more comfortable for guests.
3. 🚗 Ground Transport and Everyday Operations
Transport-related emissions don’t stop with flights. Once your guest has landed, additional emissions are created by everyday operations we undertake (such as the shopping trips or linen cleaning), the products you stock, and the transport choices your guests make.
Here’s how you can help reduce these:
- Think local when you shop: stock your home with locally made jam, tea, coffee pods, toiletries, and cleaning products to reduce transport emissions.
- Help guests travel more sustainably during their stay:
- Let them know if EV charging is available at your listing or nearby.
- Share tips on green rideshare options (like “Green” Ubers - electric EVs).
- Suggest EV car rentals via platforms like EVEE or Turo.
- Provide walking maps, public transport info, or bike hire options.
When you offer this kind of helpful info, you're not just reducing emissions but also showing your guests that you’ve thought about their needs and are supporting their journey to travel better.
Hint – Add this information to your guest confirmation letter, check-in letter, and house manual so it’s easy for guests to find and act on.
🌾Communicating with Guests
Many Hosts are doing great work behind the scenes, but don’t forget to tell your guests what you’ve done! Let them know about the steps you’ve taken to reduce emissions and waste in setting up your home. Simple signage, welcome notes, or compendium entries can go a long way. For example:
“We’ve set up our cottage with energy-saving appliances, solar panels, and refillable amenities. Thanks for helping us reduce waste during your stay!”
Clear communication helps guests feel connected to your efforts and often inspires them to participate in small ways—without feeling like they’re being asked to change their whole routine.
Hint - Add this information to your house manual so it is easy for guests to understand what steps you have taken - you never know, you may inspire them to make changes to their own homes!
🌱Empowering (Not Pressuring) Your Guests
Guests want to feel welcomed, not judged. That’s why how you communicate sustainable practices matters just as much as what you do. Instead of telling guests what they must do, offer gentle, empowering suggestions:
“Before heading out, feel free to turn off lights and appliances to help us reduce emissions.”
A small sign on the back of the door works wonders. According to research from Booking.com, Accor, and the University of Surrey, guests respond better when they feel their actions are valued—not required. When you highlight what you’re already doing—and offer low-pressure ideas for what they can do—you’re helping create a collaborative, inspiring experience that many guests will remember and appreciate.
🌸Final Thoughts
The emissions created by global tourism are significant. But that also means the opportunity for impact is huge. We’re not just Hosts—we’re part of an industry that can show what sustainable travel really looks like.
In recent discussions at Sydney Climate Action Week, we talked about the need to move from awareness to action in tourism. Hosts around the world are already stepping up—and the feedback from guests has been encouraging. More and more travellers are not only noticing these efforts but choosing to stay at properties that take sustainability seriously.
You don’t need to do everything at once. Start with one or two changes that suit your home and context. Every action makes a difference—and together, we can shift the culture of tourism.
So whether you’re installing solar, swapping to heat pumps, choosing local goods, or offering guests helpful low-emission options, you’re helping reduce tourism emissions and shaping a better future.
Let’s keep learning, improving, and inspiring each other. One stay at a time.
Curious to learn more? Check out the full Nature Communications article and Tourism Emissions Project infographics to understand the big picture. This is the request for citation from the site I have referenced above. Sun, Y-Y., Faturay, F., Lenzen, M., Gössling, S. & Higham, J.E.S. (2024). Drivers of global tourism carbon emissions. Nat
