Hawaii to Impose Climate Tax on Tourists Beginning in 2026
Hawaii Implementing Tourist Climate Tax from 2026
Hawaii, a popular tourist destination, is introducing a climate impact fee, or "Green Fee," starting January 1, 2026. This move aligns with initiatives in countries such as Greece, Indonesia, and Ecuador, aimed at supporting environmental protection and climate resilience.
The Green Fee will augment the existing transient accommodations tax (TAT) by 0.75%, raising the overall lodging tax to 11%. The new fee will apply not only to hotels and short-term vacation rentals but also to passengers arriving on cruise ships.
The revenue generated from the Green Fee will directly fund climate resilience and environmental protection projects across the islands. These efforts include preserving natural resources, enhancing disaster preparedness, and promoting sustainable development.
The decision to implement the Green Fee reflects a global recognition of the importance of responsible tourism management to safeguard fragile ecosystems and communities from the impacts of climate change. The additional fee for tourists is expected to be perceived as a fair contribution towards preserving Hawaii's unique natural and cultural heritage.
By investing in climate resilience, Hawaii aims to mitigate the climate emergency caused by tourism, through initiatives such as protecting beaches, creating fire breaks, and maintaining parks. The tax positions tourists as partners in regenerative tourism, ensuring they invest in Hawaii's future.
Hawaii will be the first U.S. state to impose such a fee for climate impacts, with estimates suggesting the Green Fee will generate nearly $100 million annually, equivalent to around €88 million.
Sources: ntv.de, dpa.
- The community policy in Hawaii, which includes the implementation of a tourist climate tax, aligns with global efforts in environmental science, such as those in Greece, Indonesia, and Ecuador, aimed at addressing climate-change and supporting environmental protection.
- The revenue generated from the Green Fee, a new tax on tourists, will be utilized to fund renewable-energy and environmental-science projects, such as those focusing on preserving natural resources, enhancing disaster preparedness, and promoting sustainable development across the islands.
- The introduction of the Green Fee not only contributes to climate resilience and the mitigation of climate-change impacts caused by tourism but also positions tourists as partners in regenerative tourism, encouraging them to invest in the future of Hawaii's unique natural and cultural heritage.
- The Green Fee, by generating nearly $100 million annually, or around €88 million, will provide the necessary finance to support the implementation of various environment-friendly initiatives in the tourism and energy sectors, thereby fostering a more sustainable and responsible tourism industry in Hawaii.
