HI Hostels Blog

Your vote matters; help us to select the project to win HI’s 2014 Sustainability Fund!

Sustainable tourism has always been at the forefront of HI’s mission, encouraging people to come together to love, respect and learn about the natural environment as well as facilitate stays in comfortable surroundings shaping relationships between people with shared interests. Demonstrating a mutual sustainable agenda brings us one step closer to achieving a low carbon footprint.

What is the HI Sustainability Fund?

Designed to support such aims, the Hostelling International Sustainability Fund (HISF) was launched in April 2012. The idea of this being that the HI traveller can donate a small amount of money per overnight stay through our booking platform www.hihostels.com to the HISF in order to help our network to finance projects to reduce their CO2 emissions. The maximum amount granted per project is £25,000. Following a great success in 2013, the HI Sustainability Fund will award the best hostel projects with a grant from the fund again this year! Last year’s lucky winners consisted of YHA England and Wales with its Snowdon Pen-y-Pass hostel in first place, REAJ’s As Corcerizas hostel in second place and HI-USA with its multi-site third party eco-certification project in third place. However, this year’s events will feature a new and exciting twist! One project will be chosen by the public – who can vote for two projects – and up to two will be chosen by a special International Jury consisting of HI’s Sustainability Manager Brianda Lopez and three other professionals we are proud to reveal: The first is Erika Harms, founder of Planet4People, a consulting firm that promotes sustainable practices and economic alternatives as a solution to pressing issues concerning resources and poverty. Joining these two is Natalie Thompson, Team Manager in the Materials department at the British Board of Agrément and active participator of product assessment. Yvonne Zueger will complete the jury – she works as a Project Manager and is a specialist in sustainable building in the city of Zurich, currently involving herself in a new project called the ‘2000- Watt- Society aiming to reduce energy usage. We would like our guests, members and the general public to help us select the project to win the HISF 2014 by voting for the project/s you think are the best in reducing their CO2 emissions. The voting period opens on 28 July and closes on 28 October 2014. To place your vote, scroll to the bottom of the page or click ‘Read more’ under each project to find out more about the project before placing your vote. Click a country below to view more details. Thank you for your support. Every vote counts!

Shining hostels, BRAZIL

Project type: Sun and education in sustainability Estimation of number of tonnes CO2 reduced: Emission reduction in very important in any sustainable projects. The estimative of reduction is about 6 tonnes per year. Project:  This project consist in implementation of solar panels to use Brazilian´s natural resource, the Sun. It also includes an educational part to show and teach our schools kid the importance of sustainability. Read more

Micro-hydro installation in a natural park, CANADA

Project type: Water and Education in Sustainability Estimation of number of tonnes CO2 reduced: The project will save 2.89 tonnes of CO2-e per year, representing a reduction of approximately 15% of the total carbon footprint for the hostel per year. Project: Given HI-Whiskey Jack’ location in a natural park, this hostel needs this upgrade to truly reflect the values, educational and cultural experiences it is trying to reflect to its guests – that of respecting, experiencing and gently impacting the environment in which it stands. Read more

A Sustainable Future for YHA Boggle Hole, ENGLAND & WALES

Project type: Energy Efficiency, Sun and Education in Sustainability Estimation of number of tonnes CO2 reduced: 4.1 CO2e tonnes annually (56% reduction) Project: The contribution would have a great impact on improving sustainability both environmentally and financially. Completion of the project will take the opportunity to engage guests and the wider public with the issue of climate change and what we can do as individuals to minimise our impact on the environment through on site interpretation. Read more

A 100% Sustainable Development Paris Yves Robert YH, FRANCE (FUAJ)

Project type: Energy Efficiency, Education in Sustainability and permaculture Estimation of number of tones CO2 reduced per year: the five actions will reduce waste and educate in sustainability and therefore reduce tonnes of CO2 Project: Five actions to implement and improve this already very sustainable development Youth Hostel; “Sorting Table at the restaurant”, “Electric compactor”, “Compact balling press”, “WattaTable” and Permaculture. Read more

Spreading the good word, ICELAND

Project type: Education in Sustainability and Restoration & Carbon Sequestration Estimation of number of tonnes CO2 reduced: 40.4 tonnes CO2 per year Project: The proposed project aims at encouraging eco-conscious behaviour amongst visitors to Iceland by increasing awareness about the aspects of sustainable tourism through constructive, dynamic and participative activities. Together we can learn how to travel responsibly, by transforming high-minded notions into practical daily actions. Read more

Air conditioning system combined with water heating system, ISRAEL

Project type: Energy efficiency Estimation of number of tonnes CO2 reduced: 200 tonnes CO2 per year Project: The IYHA is a pioneer in formulating “Green Standards”, encouraging sustainability, preserving the environment and using renewable energy. Our new water heating system will supply hot water for bathing and kitchens in the youth hostels year round. The system will use solar energy, in a region where the sun is an available and economical resource. Read more

Water Savers, NETHERLANDS

Project type: Energy Efficiency and Education in Sustainability Estimation of number of tonnes CO2 reduced: Reduce of CO2 emission can be estimated as follows; Water; ± 2% and gas; ± 1% – 554 kilograms CO2 emissions per year Project: A behavioural change campaign. A “bottom up” behavioural change campaign; that it evolves a young target group that will become aware of their shower behaviour and the consequences for the climate. Young Children are ‘change agents’ and in this way they are also going to stimulate their parents to change their behaviour to save the environment. Read more

Geothermal Down-Bore Heat Exchanger Project, NEW ZEALAND

Project type: Energy Efficiency, geothermal and Education in Sustainability Estimation of number of tonnes CO2 reduced: 18 tonnes CO2 per year Project: Help YHA New Zealand harness its boiling pools of geo-thermal energy that are currently underground below the YHA Rotorua hostel. Guests will learn more about geo-thermal power and environmental sustainability. It will cut greenhouse gas emissions at the hostel and the savings will be used to help cut emissions at one of YHA New Zealand’s largest city hostels. Read more

Echo & Deco YH Project (YH Energy Management System), SOUTH KOREA

Project type: Energy Efficiency Estimation of number of tones CO2 reduced per year: 18.4 tonnes CO2 per year Project: The project is aimed to Reduce CO2 emission by implementing an energy management system in an already environmentally friendly Youth Hostel made out of timber. Read more

Moving towards an off-grid Hostel Network, SPAIN

Project type: Energy Efficiency, Sun and Wind Estimation of number of tonnes CO2 reduced: 8.44 tonnes CO2 per year Project: The project is aimed to improve the environmental performance of its facilities and the minimization of the hostels’ carbon footprint. This project is a step to be now taken, after having already taken many previous steps… and to be followed by many others, in our path towards a sustainable future. Read more

Replacement heat generation using a wood pellet heating system at the Davos Youth Hostel, SWITZERLAND

Project type: Biomass Estimation of number of tonnes CO2 reduced: The project will save at least 194.4 tonnes of CO2 per year Project: The use of a wood pellet heating system instead of mineral oil for heat generation in the Davos Youth Hostel is not planned for economic reasons, but arose out of purely sustainable and ecological considerations. Switching from mineral oil to wood pellets for heat generation will make a further substantial contribution to sustainable tourism and reduced CO2 emissions. Replacement of the existing oil-fired system by a wood pellet boiler for building heating and tap water is an important step forward from the ecological perspective. Read more

Moving towards a sustainable hostel in Dubai, UAE

Project type: Energy Efficiency, water, Education in Sustainability Estimation of number of tones CO2 reduced per year: estimation between 15-25% current water and energy consumption. Project: The project is aimed to improve the environmental performance of its facilities and the minimization of the hostels’ carbon footprint by working on staff training, recycling, solar panels and water and electricity improvements. Read more

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