**Short-Stay Rental Firm Expands Carbon Emissions Tracking Beyond Industry Standards**
A European short-stay apartment rental company operating over 4,000 units across 18 cities has been measuring its greenhouse gas emissions for years. However, the company recently discovered that its calculations were missing significant sources of emissions.
Niko Karstikko, co-founder and CEO of Bob W, explained to *Skift* that the company, like many in the hospitality sector, relied on the [Hospitality Carbon Measurement Initiative (HCMI)](https://sustainablehospitalityalliance.org/resource/hotel-carbon-measurement-initiative/).
“HCMI was developed as a standardized tool for the industry, which is fantastic,” Karstikko said. “But it became clear that our figures didn’t account for many aspects of our emissions. We weren’t seeing the full picture.”
The HCMI tool, created by the World Sustainability Hospitality Alliance (WSHA) in collaboration with the hospitality sector, is widely used by over 66,000 hotels representing more than 8 million rooms. It is praised for providing a consistent framework for measuring emissions.
“HCMI helps hotels identify emission hotspots and take action where needed. It aligns with international carbon accounting standards and is free to use, making it accessible to hotels of all sizes, from small independent properties to major chains,” the WSHA told *Skift*.
The tool focuses on Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Scope 1 includes direct emissions, such as those from on-site boilers and vehicle fuel use, while Scope 2 covers indirect emissions, like purchased electricity, heating, and cooling.
### Going Beyond the Basics: Including Scope 3 Emissions
Bob W decided to go a step further by incorporating Scope 3 emissions, which account for indirect sources not directly owned or controlled by hotels and short-term rental companies. These include emissions from the production of furniture, cleaning products, consumables, food, drink, and water usage.
“We added emissions from waste, furniture, fixtures, equipment, cleaning products, and more into our per-night calculations,” Karstikko explained. “Furniture, for instance, is a major contributor. The emission intensity of furnishing a hotel is significant.”
This expanded approach, developed in partnership with consultancy firm Furthr, revealed far higher emissions than previously estimated. For example, one Bob W property in Finland initially reported an average of 1.48 kilograms of CO2 equivalent per night (kgCO2e/night) using HCMI. Under the new method, the figure jumped to 19.7 kgCO2e per night.
To address its environmental impact, Bob W has implemented measures such as switching to renewable energy where possible and designing apartments with automated systems that turn off electricity and air conditioning when unoccupied.
“We offset the emissions we can’t reduce at the moment. While it’s not a perfect solution, it’s a responsible interim step as we work to lower our emissions,” Karstikko said.
### Can Larger Hotel Chains Adopt This Model?
Paul Dunca, COO of Furthr, believes larger hotel chains could scale this approach. “Big hotel chains often source standardized furniture from single factories, which makes it easier to calculate emissions for furnishing hundreds of hotels,” Dunca said. He also highlighted emissions from the production of toiletries as another area for improvement.
The WSHA is also evolving its tools to incorporate more comprehensive data. “As a global charity, the Alliance fosters industry collaboration and welcomes innovation. Transparency, third-party verification, and Scope 3 emissions are key components of the new tools we’re developing, which will roll out in 2026,” the WSHA stated.
### A Step Toward Greater Transparency
Bob W’s expanded emissions tracking allows guests to see the carbon footprint of their stay, measured per night. This transparency aligns with growing consumer demand for sustainability and accountability in the travel industry.
*Skift’s in-depth reporting on climate issues is supported by Intrepid Travel, which provides financial backing but has no influence over editorial decisions.*
Source: skift.com