SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Carbon Balance
In recent times, much has been written about the contribution of global air travel to carbon dioxide emissions and the corresponding effects on climate change. We recognise that this is an often unavoidable consequence of international tourism but do not accept that a prohibition on air travel is a realistic solution.
Tourism is the world's single biggest industry and putting an end to all international visits would have a disastrous impact on global economies and world-wide poverty. In our view, this is not a realistic or credible option. Nor is it realistic to expect the tourism industry to single-handedly reverse climate change. Our preferred strategy is therefore based upon the following actions:-
- To focus our trips on those countries where tourism will deliver positive socio-economic and environmental benefits.
- To encourage trips of a longer duration e.g. 2 to 3 weeks as opposed to multiple trips of 1 week or less to short-haul destinations.
- To only offer a limited number of trips in Europe. In each case, the start/end point can be reasonably accessed by surface public transport as well as air travel.
- To make a overriding commitment to reduce our direct and in-direct energy consumption and consequent carbon emissions throughout our business, wherever possible.
- To financially offset by 110% all carbon emissions which are directly generated by the company.
- To make our clients aware of these issues and to encourage them to offset their own carbon emissions arising from air travel (see below).
Our hope is that if many businesses, irrespective of the type of industry, choose to adopt the same approach, we can make a significant step towards tackling climate change in a realistic way.
Climate Care - Offsetting Carbon Emissions
Each time we heat our homes, take a flight or drive the car, CO2 is added into the atmosphere. CO2 is a greenhouse gas that is released when fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal are burnt.
Offsetting means making a payment to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere by the same amount that your activities add. In this way you can 'neutralise' or 'balance' the CO2 added by your activities. In considering carbon offset it is important to realise that the very best option is to take every possible step to reduce your emissions in the first place. For those emissions which remain, you can offset and help to promote low-carbon technologies where they make the most impact.
Payments made to Climate Care offset your CO2 by funding projects around the world. These can be in:
- Renewable energy - this replaces non-renewable fuel such as coal
- Energy efficiency - this reduces the amount of fuel needed
- Forest restoration - this absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere as the trees grow
To offset the emissions arising from your holiday air travel is a simple process. Simply visit www.climatecare.org and use the online calculator to determine the total emissions arising and the amount payable.
Full details on the energy efficiency and carbon reduction projects you will be supporting can be found on the Climate Care website.
