Why Protecting the Climate Makes Good Business Sense: In Conversation with Janine Bunte, CEO of Swiss Youth Hostels

myclimate: Guests staying overnight at Swiss Youth Hostels can make a voluntary contribution to climate protection. What do your guests think of this initiative?

Janine Bunte: Our guests like it a lot. Around 60 % of people staying overnight with us choose to make the voluntary contribution to climate protection each year. 

You’ve just celebrated your 100-year anniversary. Sustainability has been a firm part of your business philosophy for 30 years. What climate protection measures have you implemented so far?

Since 1994, we’ve implemented various measures in relation to how we’ve both built and run our hostels. In all Swiss Youth Hostels projects, energy consumption and emissions are key indicators. We source 100 % of the electricity for all our youth hostels from renewable energy (hydropower). Many of our hostels are also heated using renewable energy sources, such as heat pumps or wood pellets, as well as the district heating network. When purchasing new equipment, such as dishwashers or dryers, we prioritise models featuring heat-recovery technology. On top of this, some of our buildings are fitted with solar panels for photovoltaic and solar thermal energy. We can further reduce the energy used and emissions produced in running the hostels by continually optimising internal processes, such as ensuring efficient ventilation and using water-saving shower heads. Since 2000, we’ve managed to reduce the CO₂ emissions of space heating specifically by 67.7 %.

Another significant project is our Yoummi food concept, which we introduced in spring 2021. Since then, the food we have on offer has been predominantly vegetarian – that is, the basis is always vegetarian or vegan and we only serve meat dishes every third day. Food and its production account for around a third of CO₂ emissions. By introducing Yoummi, we’ve managed to reduce CO₂ emissions by an average of 40 % compared with if we served standard dishes. We’re delighted by the fact that, since we made this change, guest satisfaction with our food has been rising steadily – and it was already at a high level. Our sustainability measures are reviewed every three years by the Swiss label for sustainability in tourism, ibex fairstay .

What measures are you particularly proud of?

We don’t have a separate sustainability strategy; instead, our entire corporate strategy revolves around sustainability and it informs everything we do. We’re particularly proud of sourcing all our electricity from renewable energy and of the Yoummi concept, both of which have proven to be highly effective measures.

Also, in 2021, we piloted new recycling stations in five youth hostels. How it works is that guests receive a recycling bag made from recycled plastic, which they can use to collect recyclable materials like plastic bottles, aluminium, glass and paper during their stay and then take them to the centrally located recycling stations. These are designed to stand out from ordinary rubbish bins. The pilot phase indicated that guests were up for it. It’s a good way to make kids, especially, and travellers from countries were recycling isn’t so common aware of the value of recycling materials. As a result, we expanded the recycling-bag project in 2022, with plans to install recycling stations in all our youth hostels. Currently, 18 of our youth hostels are equipped with these stations and the construction of further stations is well under way. This project is partly funded though the myclimate "Cause We Care" programme.

You’re a great role model when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. How do you continually reduce your ecological footprint?

The main tools we use to reach this goal and reduce our ecological footprint are: 1. Reduction / 2. Substitution / 3. Climate protection financing. In other words, our path to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 will see us: 

1. improving efficiency and reducing consumption as much as possible; 
2. switching to alternative energy sources where we do still emit CO₂; and 
3. paying, together with our guests, a climate protection contribution in relation to any remaining emissions, with these funds going towards both international environmental projects and our own ecological measures.

People don’t always need to travel to far-flung places. How to you encourage them to holiday in Switzerland?

We’re lucky to live in such a stunning region. You only have to look around to see azure lakes, breathtaking mountains, vibrant cities. Who wouldn’t want to explore Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein (we also run a youth hostel on the border of Schaan and Vaduz)? Staying with Swiss Youth Hostels means guests can discover the often expensive destination of Switzerland in a sustainable and affordable way. Even those on a budget can take a break from everyday life.

Which youth hostels do you recommend for visitors who want to experience Switzerland at its best?

It really depends on what the visitor is looking for. Our hostels are located in some of the most beautiful parts of Switzerland. For city stays, I’d recommend our Bern youth hostel, located between the River Aare and the Federal Palace. If seeing the Matterhorn is a must, then guests should go the Zermatt hostel, where they can enjoy a perfect view of the Toblerone-like peak as they tuck into breakfast or dinner. For those who fancy jumping out of bed and straight into a turquoise lake, the Brienz youth hostel is ideal.

Youth hostels used to be associated with big dorms and rosehip tea, but this image is long outdated and guests’ expectations have risen considerably. Who is your target audience today?

Everyone is welcome at Swiss youth hostels – from families and school groups to business travellers and young backpackers from overseas. This diverse mix of guests is what really makes the youth hostel experience. About 75 % of our beds are in shared rooms, while the remaining 25 % are in double rooms, offering more comfort and privacy. The hostels are divided into different categories – basic, classic, superior and groups only – so there’s something to suit everyone’s needs.

How do you meet the challenge of combining sustainability with economic success?

We’re fully aware that any tourism activity consumes resources, so we try to respond appropriately with what we offer. An overnight stay in a Swiss youth hostel is inherently more sustainable and less energy-intensive than holidaying abroad or in more luxurious settings. As a non-profit organisation, Swiss Youth Hostels has fulfilled its civic duty for more than 100 years by providing affordable accommodation in Switzerland. But, of course, offering a sustainable accommodation option has to be economically viable. All our profits are reinvested into the product.

What future projects and initiatives are you planning with a view to achieving even more ambitious climate goals?

We’re guided by the Federal Government’s Climate Strategy 2025 here. One measure is the improvement and expansion of our monitoring efforts. That’s why we’re working with the Swiss Energy Agency for Industry and with myclimate to make Scope 3 emissions, in addition to Scope 1 and 2, measurable in the future. We’re also actively promoting internal training for our employees.

To our partner portrait of the Swiss Youth Hostels