In case you missed it, COP28 took place at the end of December 2023. The 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to give it its full name. Having followed COP28 closely, it got us thinking about ways we have promoted sustainability through our Airbnb properties.

In this post, we are going to explain some of the ways we are trying to help the environment and promote the concept of sustainability to our guests.

Upcycling and Recycling

We use plenty of second-hand furniture and other items to furnish and decorate our properties. Sometimes, the only way for us to achieve a particular aesthetic with the decor of a property is to search for used, recyclable retro items. Not only do these furnishings and accessories look great, but they also fit perfectly within the sustainability ethic.

We don’t just stop at furnishings though. Often items such as monitor screens, rugs, and wall art are all sourced second-hand.

If an item needs some special care to give it a brightening before we can use it in one of our properties, we have an in-house carpenter who performs miracles. Restoring tired old furnishings to their former splendour.

All of our guests are encouraged to recycle whatever they can whilst staying with us, and we provide recycling stations to make this process simple.

Sustainability Partnerships

Sustainability only works when all parties are committed to doing their part. We have discovered this through our partnership with a local charity, Thrift for Good. This is an organisation that finds new homes for pre-loved items. They have become our go-to for the kinds of furnishings we enjoy sharing with our guests. We always make an effort to give them some sparkle before we use them, and our guests enjoy them.

Frequently, our guests leave behind personal items. Of course, we try to reunite our guests with their forgotten items. Sometimes, the guest doesn’t want them, or doesn’t respond. In this case, we reciprocate with Thrift for Good, and pass these items over to be rehomed.

This means that any item left behind by a guest that isn’t claimed, goes to charity and is sold to help children around the world in partnership with Gulf For Good.

Efficient Fresh Water Consumption

We have fitted water aerators to all of the faucets in our properties. These reduce the flow rate of water from the faucet, but still maintain a powerful stream.

Without a water aerator fitted to a faucet, much more water is used. For example, simply cleaning dishes will use up to 5 gallons of water per minute using a traditional faucet. With a water aerator fitted, this can be reduced to between .5 and 1.5 gallons per minute. This is a considerable saving in fresh water.

Efficient Use of Electricity

We understand that when a guest is staying with us on holiday, they don’t want to have to think about conserving electricity in the same way they might when they are at home. So we have done what we can to make all of our properties as energy efficient as possible, so our guests don’t have to worry. Such as:

• All lighting has been converted to LED.
• We use smart thermostats throughout.

Reduction of Harmful Hydrocarbons

We have done all we can to reduce the volume of plastic you will find in our properties. So that we are doing our bit when it comes to reducing world usage of harmful hydrocarbons such as Bisphenol A (BPA).

• All of our properties have Brita water filters installed, providing clean, tasty drinking water. You don’t need to buy bottled drinking water when you stay with us.
• We use bio-degradable materials where we can. For example, all of the bin bags you use while you stay with us will be bio-degradable.

Taking Sustainability to Heart

One of our key pillars and core values at Holistic Homes is Respect. And we extend this respect not only to our customers and local community, but also to the environment. We have taken the concept of sustainability on board as one of the driving ethics when creating our unique properties.

Operating as we do within the UAE, we have to acknowledge the mindset of Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, its founding father. A man who was passionate about protecting the environment, and instigated many initiatives aimed at embracing sustainability and becoming more ecologically friendly.

His drive and commitment led to him receiving many accolades, including the ‘Champion of the Earth’ award from the United Nations Environment Programme.

Furthermore, the UAE recently hosted COP28. And this event saw a milestone in how we are going to be treating our planet in the future. Clear steps were taken to ban the use of fossil fuels in the near future. Furthermore, it was agreed that oil and gas producers must take steps to entirely mitigate all emissions produced when drilling for and processing oil and gas. Simply offsetting CO2 emissions will no longer be enough.

A Commitment to Our Planet

Here at Holistic Homes, we firmly believe that everyone from our governments, down through companies, to us, the individuals, must take responsibility for the impact we have on the environment. We believe that Dubai can be a beacon to other cities trying to promote wellness and sustainability.

Whilst it is the job of government and corporations to pioneer ways that we can be kinder to the environment, it is we, the people of the world, who ultimately have to commit ourselves to taking every possible step to reduce the environmental harm we leave in our footprints.

Only by making every change we can now, can we ensure that our planet and its incredible natural environment are not only safeguarded for future generations, but recovering from the harm we have already done.