A carbon footprint: why and how?
What is a carbon footprint?
At HomeExchange, we've been voluntarily determining our carbon footprint since 2019, refining our calculation method year-on-year.
Coordinated by the Bilan Carbone association and ADEME (the French Agency for Ecological Transition), the Bilan Carbone® is a method for calculating a company's greenhouse gas emissions. Carrying out this calculation has enabled us to identify an order of magnitude for our most carbon-intensive areas, and put in place an action plan for improvement.
Curious to know more about how a carbon footprint works, and the methodology and scope of activity used by HomeExchange? Feel free to check out our 2022 carbon footprint article. (And for the 2023 results, you’ll find them over here!)
A carbon footprint achieved autonomously... and continuously improving!
After using external tools, in 2022 we decided to seek the support of OuiAct, a firm that’s recognized for its expertise in climate strategy. They helped us build a measurement tool that was based on the Bilan Carbone® method, and was better adapted to our specificities. Thanks to this tool, we can now carry out our own carbon assessment, while submitting our results to OuiAct, so they can be validated by an expert company.
This year, we worked with OuiAct again, not only to modernize the tool, but also to update it with the latest emission factors.
Results and key findings from our 2024 carbon footprint
Results by emissions scope
According to our estimates, in 2024 HomeExchange was responsible for the emission of around 866,000 tonnes of CO2e*, or an average of 648 kilos of CO2e per HomeExchange guest.
This represents an increase of +32% compared to 2023, which is significant, but less than the growth in the number of trips our members took. Furthermore, this is much less than the growth we recorded last year, as in 2023 we observed an increase in our emissions of 71% compared to 2022.
Not surprisingly - and logically increasing year-on-year - 99.9% of our greenhouse gas emissions now come from HomeExchange members' travel-related activities. Almost 80% of this impact results from their transport preferences.
Our community's impact: emissions rising more slowly than the number of exchanges
In 2024, we saw a significant increase in the number of exchanges carried out by our community. However, our carbon footprint did not follow the same curve.
How then, can we explain the fact that our CO2e emissions are growing less rapidly than the number of exchanges carried out?
- A reduction in the number of long-distance exchanges
This trend is largely explained by a 1-point drop in the number of long-haul journeys (over 3,000 km).
The associated long-haul flights impact heavily on our carbon footprint. As an example, a round trip by plane between Paris and New York emits almost 2 tonnes of CO₂ per person - as much as dozens of train or car-share journeys over shorter distances. So it's these journeys that "lead" our carbon footprint.
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Learning:
By reducing long-distance travel (even slightly) we automatically reduce the average carbon footprint of an exchange. As a result, our emissions curve continues to rise, but at a slower pace than that of our business. This is good news, and proof that individual choices - such as opting for a closer destination or choosing a low-carbon mode of transport - have a real impact.
By reducing long-distance travel (even slightly) we automatically reduce the average carbon footprint of an exchange. As a result, our emissions curve continues to rise, but at a slower pace than that of our business. This is good news, and proof that individual choices - such as opting for a closer destination or choosing a low-carbon mode of transport - have a real impact.
- Frequency of travel, a key impact factor
As part of this carbon assessment, we looked at the breakdown of emissions according to the number of trips made by each member. This approach enables us to better understand how the frequency of exchanges influences the overall impact.
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Discovery:
In 2024, 26% of our members took part in 4 or more exchanges throughout the year. These trips were responsible for 51% of transport-related CO2e emissions.
However, when trips are made using low-carbon transport options (train, carpooling, etc), their impact remains limited. On the other hand, some of our members’ trips were made by plane, for both short and long stays, which logically increased the member's carbon footprint.
A flight emits just as much, whether it's a 3-day or 3-week stay. Traveling less often, but for longer periods of time and for shorter distances, allows us to limit our annual impact, while promoting more immersive, and often more enriching experiences.
In 2024, 26% of our members took part in 4 or more exchanges throughout the year. These trips were responsible for 51% of transport-related CO2e emissions.
However, when trips are made using low-carbon transport options (train, carpooling, etc), their impact remains limited. On the other hand, some of our members’ trips were made by plane, for both short and long stays, which logically increased the member's carbon footprint.
A flight emits just as much, whether it's a 3-day or 3-week stay. Traveling less often, but for longer periods of time and for shorter distances, allows us to limit our annual impact, while promoting more immersive, and often more enriching experiences.
Head office emissions: a decreasing carbon footprint, after an updated methodology
The carbon footprint linked to the activities of our head office amounts to 812 tCO2e, a decrease of 36% compared to 2023. Let's take a closer look at the various reasons behind this substantial drop.
Main results and lessons learned concerning emissions linked to our head office
📺 An update in emission factors
The consequent drop in emissions linked to our head office can be explained in part by the recent update of ADEME emission factors, which we have integrated into our tool. As a result, certain categories of our footprint have been positively re-evaluated, with the old factors in some cases considered overestimated. This decrease therefore does not necessarily reflect an actual drop in our activities, but rather an improvement in the accuracy of the data used.
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Education:
These methodological adjustments make comparison with previous years tricky, but they enable us to start afresh on a more reliable and consistent basis for future years. As for the "Community Footprint" section, it is carried out using the same methodology, and represents the bulk of our emissions, so the overall comparison versus 2023 remains relevant.
These methodological adjustments make comparison with previous years tricky, but they enable us to start afresh on a more reliable and consistent basis for future years. As for the "Community Footprint" section, it is carried out using the same methodology, and represents the bulk of our emissions, so the overall comparison versus 2023 remains relevant.
📺 A more reliable calculation for TV-related emissions
As part of our drive for continuous improvement, we wanted to move away from the monetary calculation method for certain categories, notably TV advertising, which represents one of our biggest emission items. We identified a benchmark study enabling us to base ourselves on physical data (CO2e per exposure to a TV spot), and no longer on euros spent.
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Lesson:
Even with this change in methodology, the carbon impact of advertising remains substantial. With the development of our international presence, continuing to improve the measurement of this item is key. Beyond broadcasting, the filming of our next TV spot will be carried out as locally as possible, to limit its impact.
Even with this change in methodology, the carbon impact of advertising remains substantial. With the development of our international presence, continuing to improve the measurement of this item is key. Beyond broadcasting, the filming of our next TV spot will be carried out as locally as possible, to limit its impact.
👥 A controlled impact despite team expansion
In 2024, the team grew from 105 employees to 134! Despite this, we have been able to contain certain emission items, notably those linked to business travel and the impact of our annual seminar.
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Learning:
Our commitments are also upheld in everyday gestures, and our co-founders are the first to set an example :) One of them, for example, chose the train to travel from Paris to Madrid to attend an interview, illustrating our collective commitment to low-carbon mobility.
Our commitments are also upheld in everyday gestures, and our co-founders are the first to set an example :) One of them, for example, chose the train to travel from Paris to Madrid to attend an interview, illustrating our collective commitment to low-carbon mobility.
Next steps for 2025
Our main challenge: mobility
The balance sheet is clear: transportation accounts for the bulk of our environmental impact, and with our community growing, sustainable mobility is more of a priority than ever.
In 2024, we implemented a number of actions, including:
- A major carbon footprint calculation campaign for Earth Day.
- A writing competition on sustainable travel for our French-speaking members.
- Introduction of a transport-related carbon calculator on the site.
- Creation of a filter to search for exchanges accessible by public transport.
- Highlighting of our responsible travel charter on the site.
In 2025:
- We are conducting an academic research project to improve the measurement of transport emissions, and find ways to change behavior.
- We're developing a host of content to promote train travel.
- We're in the midst of discussions with a likeminded organization who are in a position to offer low-carbon transport solutions to our members.
- We're preparing an operation around... bicycles!
- And many more :)
We're listening!
If you're still reading, it's because you're as passionate about reducing carbon emissions as we are!
Do you have an idea, a tip or a project to encourage more sustainable travel during home exchanges? Whether it's an original way to travel low-carbon, an initiative you’d like to share, or an innovative service that could be developed, we want to hear from you!
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Share your ideas, experiences or desires to:
> Encourage exchanges that are close and accessible without air travel.
> Encourage the use of trains, bicycles and other clean forms of transport.
> Propose tools or services to promote sustainable mobility.
> Any other proposal that might inspire our community.
Write to us at impact@homeexchange.com!
> Encourage exchanges that are close and accessible without air travel.
> Encourage the use of trains, bicycles and other clean forms of transport.
> Propose tools or services to promote sustainable mobility.
> Any other proposal that might inspire our community.
Write to us at impact@homeexchange.com!
In conclusion
We are proud to have improved our carbon footprint tool by integrating the latest ADEME data, thus reinforcing the accuracy and transparency of our monitoring.
Although this year's trend is encouraging compared with last year, we know that it remains fragile and dependent on many external factors.
In a context of intense post-pandemic recovery in air traffic, our responsibility is greater than ever. Tourism now accounts for 9% of global emissions, and its emissions continue to grow faster than those of other sectors.
It would be tempting to assume that change will come from others - from public policies, changes in behavior or technological innovations. But to truly transform practices, everyone has a role to play. As players in the tourism industry, we must do our part, by facilitating access to concrete alternatives and promoting more sustainable travel choices.
It's by making these options simpler, more visible and more desirable that we can help change habits and truly promote more responsible tourism.
