Are second homes CO2 saints or sinners? Electricity consumption from a seasonal and geographical perspective

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ABSTRACT This study investigates the electricity consumption patterns of second homes, a segment of tourism that has received limited attention regarding its environmental and climate effects. By analyzing comprehensive electricity consumption data, the study accurately quantifies associated CO2 emissions for the over 200,000 second homes in Denmark. The comparison of electricity consumption and CO2 emissions across seasons shows that during the winter period, second homes exert disproportionate pressure on the climate. Additionally, longer seasons, which are encouraged by policies, exacerbate this impact, as electricity generation is more CO2-intensive in winter. From this perspective, second homes can be considered “CO2 sinners.” Geographical analysis identifies patterns where aggressive tourism growth strategies correlate with higher energy consumption and CO2 emissions. To mitigate these effects, stakeholders, including government bodies, destination management organizations (DMOs), renting platforms, owners, and users, can implement regulatory and behavioral changes to transform second homes from “sinners” to “saints.”