Europe’s Famous Hostels, the world’s oldest independent hostel association, has announced a partnership with Scope Three Action to support member properties in reducing food-related emissions through protein diversification strategies. The initiative will provide over 80 hostels across Europe with practical tools, guidance, and training to implement sustainable food strategies, including increasing plant-based proteins in breakfast menus, bar snacks, and shared dinners while maintaining guest choice.
“Sustainable food is often seen as a compromise. In reality, some of the most successful hospitality businesses are showing that serving more plant-rich meals can reduce emissions, expand choice, and enhance the guest experience,” said Marian Milec, programme manager at Scope Three Action. “This partnership will help more hostels across Europe unlock that opportunity.”
Food represents one of the largest sources of emissions within the hospitality sector, making protein diversification an increasingly recognized and cost-efficient pathway for reducing Scope 3 emissions — the largest emissions category for food service operations spanning sourcing, production, transportation, and consumer preparation.
Protein diversification as emissions reduction strategy
Plant-based proteins generate substantially lower greenhouse gas emissions than animal-based alternatives while placing less pressure on land, water resources, and biodiversity. Research from organizations including the EAT-Lancet Commission and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization highlights the importance of shifting toward plant-rich diets to meet climate and sustainability goals.
The initiative recognizes that increasing plant-based options does not require eliminating animal proteins or restricting guest choice. Rather, practical menu design emphasizing plant-based dishes alongside traditional offerings creates balanced portfolios reducing overall emissions while expanding appeal to guests with diverse dietary preferences.
“Hostels have always been innovators and change-makers, and food is the next frontier,” said Zoe Bowthorpe and Valentina Rodoni, co-founders of Europe’s Famous Hostels’ ESG Committee. “We’re proud to bring attention to plant-based dishes as delicious choices for our generation of guests — and through this partnership, our members get practical tools to make their menus more plant-rich in a way that feels natural, not forced. Some of the best dishes in Europe are already plant-based, rooted in local culture and national flavours. We just need to start celebrating them.”
The partnership will focus on changes integrated into existing operations while maintaining guest satisfaction and menu flexibility. By increasing the availability and appeal of plant-rich options, hostels can reduce food service carbon footprint while responding to growing consumer interest in sustainable and healthier dining.
Training and guidance will support hostels in setting targets and implementing policies establishing more balanced animal and plant protein mixes. The approach acknowledges hostel operational realities where shared dinners, communal breakfasts, and casual dining create opportunities for plant-forward menu design, addressing guest preferences and sustainability objectives simultaneously.
Europe’s Famous Hostels network and market position
Founded in 1995, Europe’s Famous Hostels operates 87 hostels across 60 locations in 23 countries, representing the world’s oldest independent hostel association. The network encompasses 3,000 staff members and nearly 15,000 beds, positioning the association to influence dietary practices across the budget accommodation sector, serving millions of guests on a yearly basis.
The association’s governance under three pillars — Promotion, Community, and Representation — emphasizes knowledge-sharing and best-practice dissemination through online programs and four annual conferences. The food emissions initiative leverages these mechanisms to scale sustainable practices across member properties.
