As of this month when members stay with YHA for the first time, the included $5 Membership Fee from guests’ first stays will be transferred to YHA’s Sustainable Properties Fund.

The Sustainable Properties Fund (formerly known as the Sustainable Hostels Fund) is a dedicated fund set up to help reduce the environmental impact of YHA Australia’s properties. The goal of this initiative is to help YHA pave the road to net zero through projects supporting energy, carbon and waste reduction, and water conservation across its network.

The Sustainable Properties Fund also helps to fund projects for YHA’s small and regional properties, to improve their economic sustainability as well as upgrading their amenities. YHA Australia believe that by ensuring the future viability of these small regional properties we are investing in the communities in which it operates.

Helen Vine, Head of Sustainability at YHA Australia said:

“Reaching net zero with a property portfolio as diverse as YHA’s requires consistent investment. That’s why, with the help of the Sustainable Properties Fund, we’re undertaking major overhauls across our network over the next 6 years to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint and make sure that we meet this target.”

“The Sustainable Properties Fund not only helps YHA fund sustainability upgrades to our flagship properties. It also allows us to support small properties in regional locations and continue to contribute to those local economies and communities.”

The initiative is championed by Paul McGrath, CEO of YHA Australia:

“The aspiration to attain a net zero carbon emission across all YHA Australia properties demands a united and determined approach from a diverse group of stakeholders. The YHA Board and management team are dedicated to investing in our properties towards this objective, as evidenced by the rejuvenated Sustainable Property Funds. This decisive action highlights YHA's unwavering commitment to making substantial investments to accomplish our net zero targets by 2030.”

Guests can also opt-in to make a $2 (or greater) donation to the Sustainable Properties Fund any time they book on yha.com.au in the future, YHA will then match the donation to double the impact.

YHA is also committed to the growth of the Sustainable Properties Fund through the inclusion of interest earned on its cash balances and any bequests, donations or sustainability grants received from external sources. 100% of all contributions go directly to the projects and are carefully tracked, accounted for and reported to YHA members in our annual Integrated Report.

To find out more about how the fund will be distributed, take a look here.