- For the primary time, a hostel in Europe has achieved the utmost GreenSign Stage 5 commonplace
- a&o Venice thus one among solely 19 top-rated hostels in Europe
- As well as: a&o Vienna Central Station and a&o Vienna Stadthalle obtain Stage 4
- a&o is the one hostel chain in Europe to report particular person CO2 values
This has by no means occurred earlier than: the a&o Venice is the primary hostel in Europe to realize GreenSign stage 5. Of the 800 or so motels presently licensed by the GreenSign Institute in Europe, solely 19 obtain this most sustainability commonplace. Normal Supervisor Francesco Siciliano: “This can be a super recognition of our long-standing dedication to sustainable journey.” Arben Maliqi, Challenge Supervisor ESG and HR on the Berlin primarily based hostel chain, provides: “This certification units the tempo any more – a&o Venice Mestre is our function mannequin for all a&o places.”
GreenSign certifies that the a&o Venice Mestre has an “exemplary sustainability idea” with over 90 p.c sustainability efficiency in core areas equivalent to power effectivity, water administration, environmental administration, procurement, high quality administration and sustainable growth. Suzann Heinemann, founder and CEO of the GreenSign Institute, explains: “The terribly good outcomes of the a&o Venice within the GreenSign certification are an necessary signal for the trade and a milestone on the way in which to local weather neutrality for Europe’s largest hostel chain.”
Based in 2015, the GreenSign Institute certifies motels in a “distinctive five-stage certification system” and never solely examines the present standing, but additionally “reveals methods to constantly enhance and additional develop sustainability efficiency”. So far, the Berlin-based firm has licensed round 800 motels. Solely three p.c of them have achieved the best stage, high quality stage 5. GreenSign’s sustainability certifications are among the many most prestigious in Europe. Along with the a&o Venice, the groups on the two Vienna places, a&o Wien Stadthalle and a&o Wien Hauptbahnhof, are additionally delighted that their motels have been upgraded to GreenSign Stage 4.
“Rising sustainability spirit within the trade”
The hostel class can also be due to the a&o Venice Mestre’s entry right into a prime sustainability league. Sustainability, says Suzann Heinemann, is impartial of the scale or kind of resort: “We’re happy to see a rising sustainable spirit within the resort trade and an growing willingness for sustainability certifications. This constructive growth makes a big contribution to local weather safety and provides us hope.”
Hardly any plastic, however meals and artwork from the area
The GreenSign audit is complete: administration and communication, surroundings (power, water, waste), biodiversity and cultural heritage, buying, regionality and transportation, high quality management and sustainable growth, social and financial accountability are put to the take a look at. Measures on the a&o Venice embody
- Avoiding plastic within the bar: 80 p.c plastic-free bottles and glasses;
– Use of meals from native/regional producers;
– Supporting native artisans and artists who exhibit and promote their work on the a&o, for instance;
Lately, composters on the roof of the home have been recycling natural waste from breakfast/dinner. The vegetation within the hostel profit from the nutrient-rich fertilizer produced on this manner. Arben Maliqi: “Our purpose is to be the primary European hostel chain to be CO2-neutral in 2025. For us, internet zero means lowering our personal ecological footprint to a minimal and offsetting the remainder.” a&o is already the one hostel chain in Europe to indicate the person CO2 worth per reserving on all reservations and visitor invoices.
A couple of&o Hostels
a&o Hostels was based in 2000 by Oliver Winter and now operates 40 hostels in 25 cities and 9 European nations. The a&o visitor combine is numerous: backpackers are a part of the a&o goal group, as are solo vacationers, households, college teams and golf equipment. The purpose of a&o is to be Europe’s “zero-emissions hostel chain” by 2025. Since 2017, the American investor TPG Actual Property has owned a&o. The corporate remains to be managed by the founder. For extra data, go to www.aohostels.com.
