Sustainability

Content Tabs

Tab Navigation

myclimate «Cause We Care»

When you stay at a Swiss Youth Hostel, you can make a voluntary contribution to climate protection. We double this contribution and thereby work with our guests to support global and local climate protection projects as part of the Cause We Care initiative.

On a global level, we allocate a quarter of the contribution to the Reforestation in Tanzania climate protection project. Further information on this project can be found below.

On a local level, we invest the remaining amount in climate projects within our youth hostels, such as wood pellet heating systems and photovoltaic systems.

Learn more

Reforestation in Tanzania climate protection project

This project secures the land rights of the indigenous population and in doing so strengthens the implementation of municipal land use plans through forest conservation activities.

Learn more

ibex fairstay

For over 16 years, we have been a proud partner of Ibex Fairstay, a prestigious sustainability label that was introduced in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. Ibex Fairstay focuses on five key aspects: environmental friendliness, economic sustainability, social responsibility, sustainable management and regional roots. We are among the pioneers in the sector and were one of the first organisations to be certified by Ibex Fairstay. Since then, our youth hostels, which now number around 50, have been consistently recertified every three years. This enables us to ensure that the sustainability strategy is consistently implemented across our youth hostels and that we continuously improve.

Learn more (in German)

Our sustainability partners

We work with the following sustainability partners:

  • Max Havelaar
    Since 1 December 2008, Swiss Youth Hostels has stocked products bearing the Fairtrade seal of approval from the Max Havelaar Foundation.
  • Since 2008, together with myclimate, SYH has given guests the option to make a voluntary contribution to climate protection during their stay.
  • Swiss Youth Hostels defines its emission targets in conjunction with the Energy Agency for Industry (EnAW).
  • Standards for healthy and ecological construction in Switzerland. Since the conversion of the Valbella Youth Hostel in Lenzerheide in 2006, Swiss youth hostels have been building according to ecobau standards.
  • Minergie
    As part of the extension and renovation of Zermatt Youth Hostel in Zermatt in 2003, this building was the first to be certified. Today, whenever possible and new buildings are built according to the Minergie with the Minergie-P-Eco standard whenever possible.
  • Solar
    Swissolar is the Swiss professional association for solar energy and represents the Swiss solar industry. The Swiss Youth Hostels have 20 solar hostels equipped with modules or collectors.
  • The support association ‘Barrier-free Switzerland’ is the coordinating body for information about barrier-free tourism.
  • öbu is the Swiss association for sustainable economic activity. Its members include around 360 companies, organisations and institutions.
  • The label certifies sustainable business management in the areas of corporate governance, business management, environmental management, employees, regional value creation, and culture.
  • With the KulturLegi, people on a tight budget receive discounts of 30 to 70 per cent on over 3,600 offers throughout Switzerland. Also with us.
  • "Tree by Tree" is the motto of the Aargau-based fashion label NIKIN. Since 2016, the company has been producing sustainable, durable and timeless products. In addition, a tree is planted for every product sold.