YHA New Zealand becomes carboNZero certified

YHA New Zealand has become the first accommodation network in the world to become carboNZero^Cert certified, representing three years’ worth of measuring, reducing and offsetting greenhouse gas emissions for the company.

“YHA has been operating an environmentally sustainable network for many years and the carboNZero^Cert certification confirms our commitment with a globally recognised and independently audited system,” said YHA Chief Executive Mark Wells. “We are delighted to have achieved this recognition.”

YHA has a robust sustainability program in place throughout its network of 14 directly managed hostels. Initiatives include minimising water use, reducing waste through recycling, insulating and double glazing properties to lower electricity use, and installing solar and geothermal power as financial resources allow. Guests are also given the opportunity to reduce the impact of their travel by purchasing native trees through the Green Footprint Project, founded by YHA in 2004.

YHA’s chosen provider of carbon credits is the Hinewai Reserve on Banks Peninsula, which covers 1250 ha of regenerating native bush and is home to many species of birds. Reserve Manager Hugh Wilson said his main goal for the reserve is that “nature should reassert herself as far as possible”.

While currently focused on offsetting emissions, YHA is committed to continual reductions in actual emissions. Property manager Chris Arnold said the company recently “learned that the largest contributor to our emissions is electricity use”, reinforcing its intention to “continue installing solar power across the network in order to keep reducing our carbon footprint”.