Holiday home, camping, or hotel, which of these options has the lowest environmental impact? The Ademe, the French Agency for Ecological Transition operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Ecological Transition, has analyzed different types of accommodation to determine their carbon footprint. Among these, camping emerges as the best choice for a more sustainable and responsible vacation.
Every type of tourist accommodation has a different carbon footprint, as construction, maintenance, and management require varying levels of energy consumption. To make a more informed decision when choosing our vacation stay, we can refer to the data collected by Ademe on CO2 emissions per night based on the type of accommodation.
Processing the data showed that one night in a holiday home (as a secondary residence owned) results in the production of 7 kg CO2; for a night in a hotel, the figure is 5.3 kg CO2; while one night in a rented house/apartmentproduces 5.2 kg CO2. In this ranking, the most virtuous type of accommodation is camping, with a value of 1.4 kg CO2 produced per night.
Choosing accommodations with environmental certifications
When planning a vacation, the environmental impact of the chosen accommodation is becoming an increasingly important factor for travelers. In addition to being the most carbon-efficient option, camping offers a direct connection with nature, encouraging more conscious and sustainable tourism. However, to make your vacation even greener, it is advisable to choose campsites with environmental certifications. Some of the main certifications for eco-friendly outdoor accommodations include: EU Ecolabel, La Clef Verte (Green Key), and Green Globe.
The EU Ecolabel, in particular, is one of the most ambitious sustainability labels and currently certifies over 300 accommodation facilities in France. To receive this certification, campsites must meet strict ecological criteria, including: reducing energy consumption, using renewable energy sources, conserving water resources, purchasing eco-friendly products, minimizing waste and combating food waste, raising awareness among employees and guests about eco-friendly practices.
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