Following Airbnb’s launch of similar programs in France and the U.K. last year the company put in place a pilot program this month, with a deadline of June 15th, 2023, to help hosts in Massachusetts go green. The program offered eligible hosts in the Bay state up to $2,500 in grants. According to Airbnb, the program’s goals is to help hosts reduce their carbon footprint while reducing their energy bills.
Elle Michelle an Airbnb Superhost and Massachusetts community leader says, “This program will save me money. I’ve been wanting to make upgrades to improve my insulation and heating systems not only for my pocket, but also for the environmental impact.”
Ameet Konkar, Airbnb’s Head of Sustainability stated that “Our goal is to enable our Massachusetts Host community to use more of their earnings for essential costs rather than their energy bills, all while doing what’s best for the environment.”
According to reporting by freelance writer Ashira Morris, the company provided grants to hosts of up to $500 for what it refers to as “weatherization upgrades” and up to $2,000 towards the installation of heat pumps. Airbnb’s representative Jackie McGraw says the program is a part of an effort to make properties listed on their site more energy efficient.
Such a program may demonstrate corporations moving away from things like carbon offsets and tree planting to demonstrate corporate climate responsibility. Amanda Sachs a policy analyst with Rewiring America says, “Programs like the Airbnb grants also show an evolution of corporate responsibility in the climate space.”
In Massachusetts Airbnb is working in partnership with Adobe Energy Management. While this small pilot is in just one out of 50 states let’s hope it is not a token gesture and Airbnb takes it all the way… across the U.S. and beyond the U.K. and France.