a&o Hostels has released its annual Sustainability Report for 2025, detailing key environmental achievements across the business.
With 46 properties and approximately 31,600 beds in 32 cities and ten European countries, a&o is Europe’s largest hostel chain.
The company said it continues to set sustainability standards through concrete achievements, clear goals and transparent tracking.
a&o ESG Director Arben Maliqi presented the company’s fourth Sustainability Report, reviewing records set in 2025.
The report found that CO2e emissions per overnight stay fell by 1.9% compared with 2024, now standing at 3.58kg.
Four new locations acquired in 2025 and repurposed as a&o accommodation contributed to a slight increase in total emissions, up 3.1% to 13,575 metric tonnes.
The 41-page report covers the key areas of energy, engagement and corporate ethics, and is now available to download from aohostels.com.
Oliver Winter, Founder and CEO of a&o Hostels, said: “The travel industry is constantly evolving, and a&o is actively shaping this transformation by combining growth with our commitment to further reducing energy consumption and using resources responsibly.
“Travel remains a fundamental human need and an ever-growing industry. Moving forward, we will continue to work with our partners and guests to contribute to travel that is resource-efficient and socially responsible.”
In 2025, a&o welcomed nearly three million guests, accounting for 6.6 million overnight stays.
The company opened four new locations in 2025, including a&o London Docklands Riverside, set within a historic 17th-century warehouse complex on the Thames.
a&o now operates 46 properties, 43 of which are conversions of existing buildings.
The company is now turning its attention to a major project titled a&o Berlin Checkpoint Charlie.
The scheme will convert a vacant former office building on Rudi-Dutschke-Straße.
In cooperation with the Technical University of Berlin, a&o is conducting a life cycle assessment study for the Berlin location, intended to serve as a blueprint for future conversion projects.
a&o’s sustainability focus is on direct, verifiable emissions reductions within its own operations and value chain.
This includes optimising energy efficiency, expanding the use of renewable energy, reducing waste and collaborating closely with suppliers.
The company avoids external offsetting solutions.
Maliqi also highlighted measures and projects linked to social engagement.
Key initiatives include 100% green electricity, with all electricity needs at locations covered by green electricity where available, and waste reduction through 100% digital guest registration.
Other initiatives include the cooperation with the Technical University of Berlin to create a life cycle assessment as a blueprint for further conversions.
a&o also highlighted its educare and cultura e storia programmes, including solidarity-funded school trips and support for the preservation of cultural heritage.
The destinations with the lowest emissions per overnight stay were a&o Kopenhagen Sydhavnen at 1.88kg, a&o Kopenhagen Norrebro at 1.93kg and a&o Berlin Mitte at 2.24kg.
In addition to measurable energy-related measures, social engagement forms a key part of a&o’s sustainability strategy.
This includes investment in training, education and health management for more than 1,300 employees, alongside support for social and cultural projects.
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