carbon neutral business travel

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The ultimate guide to reducing carbon footprint for businesses

How to reduce carbon footprint from business travel, measures your organization can take to reduce its environmental impact caused by business travel, 1. calculate your business travel carbon footprint, 2. create a green business travel program, 3. fly in economy class, 4. choose low-emission airlines.

• Amount of CO2 generated by a specific flight and airline. You also have access to this information when you use TravelPerk’s business travel booking platform .
• If the airline offers the possibility to offset your carbon footprint.
• If the airline has a sustainability policy, which you can usually find on their website or ask about by email.

5. Avoid layovers

6. choose sustainable accommodations, 7. consider the greenest form of transport depending on the circumstances, 8. reduce your fuel consumption, 9. make use of green travel tax breaks, 10. consider carbon offsetting.

How to run a green travel program? Our e-book guides you.

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COLOGNE, Germany--( BUSINESS WIRE )-- HRS , the leading global corporate lodging platform, introduced a first-of-its-kind solution that gives corporations and employees a way to organize travel more sustainably. HRS’ Green Stay Initiative , in pilot this quarter, leverages proprietary technology to give procurement leaders and everyday business travelers an intuitive system to identify, compare and prioritize hotels that contribute to reducing the ecological footprint of the lodging portion of the typical business trip.

HRS is assimilating data from thousands of hotel groups and independent properties as part of a groundbreaking framework, including details on energy consumption, water use, and waste disposal. Through the unprecedented normalization and organization of this global data, HRS is pioneering a sustainability database that efficiently brings vital information to corporations and travelers as procurement and individual booking decisions are made.

The Megatrend: Companies & Governments Aggressively Target Carbon-Neutral Business Practices

The new megatrend of sustainability remains a primary topic around the world as countries and regions look towards taming the COVID-19 pandemic and revitalizing their economies. Highlights illustrating this trend include:

• A 2020 BCG survey of consumers in eight countries found that 87 percent said companies should more aggressively integrate environmental concerns into their products, services, and operations. A 2019 Accenture survey of 6,000 consumers across 11 countries revealed that 83 percent believe it is important for companies to develop sustainable products and services, and 50 percent said they would pay more for sustainable products.
• Governments are making unprecedented pledges in the effort to reach carbon neutral status. In line with the Paris Agreement, the European Union has committed to being climate-neutral by 2050 , calling it both “an urgent challenge and an opportunity to build a better future for all.” On the Biden Administration’s first day, the United States took steps to re-join the Paris Agreement and align with global emission targets.
• There have been several announcements from leading automobile manufacturers trumpeting the dramatic reduction of production of vehicles with tailpipe emissions over the next 20 years. Daimler, with its “Ambition 2039” initiative , is one of multiple multi-national brands making firm commitments towards eliminating emissions from vehicles.
• More than 50 Fortune 500 companies – several of which are HRS clients – have joined the Climate Pledge with the aim to be carbon neutral by 2040. These ranks include trailblazing brands such as Amazon, Ernst & Young, Microsoft and Siemens.

Not surprisingly, this trend has flowed into the managed travel arena. As corporate travel looks at a redefined ecosystem in the wake of the pandemic, procurement and travel departments are tasked with doing their part to help companies achieve carbon net-neutral status this decade.

“The latest Sustainability Index from Cornell highlights that hotels, on average, account for 45 kilograms of carbon emissions per room night. Metrics like this are vital as companies take steps to reduce their carbon footprint,” explains Martin Biermann, Chief Product Officer for HRS and leader of the team developing the Green Stay Initiative. “As we built this unique global database, we analyzed various approaches to collecting this information. Carbon, water and waste data varies, as location, climate, hotel type, municipal infrastructure and other factors impact true measurement. While suppliers have progressed in capturing this data, the legacy fragmentation of the global hotel marketplace resulted in disparate data points that are far too complex for companies to efficiently digest. To address this, we took steps to build a normalized global framework that solves these issues proactively. We believe this system can ultimately enable net-zero hotel programs for the world’s largest corporations.”

HRS is educating corporate procurement executives, travel managers and hotel suppliers about the Green Stay Initiative during the global Corporate Lodging Forum series , taking place virtually this month in multiple regions.

How It Works: Hotels Engage in Scoring System to Showcase Their Sustainable Practices

Building off the success of the Clean & Safe Protocol launched by HRS in 2020 , ongoing hotel engagement plays a key role making the Green Stay Initiative work for both corporations and preferred hotel partners. (More than 60,000 hotels participate - free-of-charge - in the Clean & Safe Protocol today.) With corporate procurement leaders incorporating a hotel’s sustainability practices and performance in the equation as it considers them for inclusion as a preferred partner, hotels are increasingly providing quantitative data regarding their sustainable practices.

HRS has developed a proprietary scoring system, determining actual footprint values on a hotel’s energy, water and waste usage. This scoring system is based upon guidelines established by recognized organizations such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, the Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance , and the World Travel & Tourism Council. Hotels are scored based upon their metrics and progress from the prior calendar year. This enables corporate decision makers to weigh environmental sustainability elements based on factual data when developing programs. When hotels are categorized as “Green,” they are awarded a new Green Stay label that appears in procurement displays (when buyers are considering hotels for inclusion as a preferred supplier) and self-booking tools used by employees and travel agents for individual bookings.

"We’re in a unique position as a technology provider at the intersection of corporate procurement, facilitating important engagement between companies and hotel suppliers on this vital issue,” said HRS CEO Tobias Ragge . “As a global organization driven by values, we remain committed to innovating with the goal of doing our part to keep our planet pristine and inviting for generations to come on all continents – especially when connecting through travel. The Green Stay Initiative enables companies to dramatically enhance awareness of new sustainability priorities for their travel programs, while also facilitating an avenue for hoteliers to promote their corresponding investments. As our industry emerges from pandemic-related challenges, we’re hopeful this technology will ultimately represent a milestone in advancing sustainable managed travel for years to come.”

HRS is revolutionizing managed lodging programs for corporations, hotels and business travelers worldwide with its proprietary technology and expertise. Leveraging its unique Lodging as a Service platform, HRS oversees the totality of corporate hotel programs for its clients, from initial procurement and rate assurance to booking, virtual payment and expense management. HRS’ staff supports clients and hotel managers globally with unmatched on-the-ground coverage in all major business travel markets. The company’s data-driven solutions deliver savings and performance for corporations across all hotel categories, including transient, meetings and long-stay lodging scenarios – all while digitizing processes on the hotel side for a better traveler experience. Founded in 1972, HRS today works with 35 percent of the global Fortune 500, as well as the world’s leading hotel chains, regional hospitality groups and independent hotels. More information at www.hrs.com/corporate .

Michael Brophy 214-356-4326 [email protected]

Release Summary

Companies are taking active steps to reduce emissions. HRS' pioneering Green Stay Initiative helps corporate hotel programs travel more sustainably.

4 ways airlines are planning to become carbon neutral

The airline industry believes its quickest path to net-zero is replacing jet fuel with sustainable aviation fuel. Image:  Unsplash/Pascal Meier

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Stay up to date:, climate crisis.

• The airline industry is responsible for nearly 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions.
• It has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050 by focusing on four key strategies.
• These include greener fuel, carbon offsets and utilizing the power of hydrogen.

Launching a 300-ton plane full of people into the sky and propelling it at 500 miles (805 km) an hour requires a lot of energy. So, taking off without adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere will take some doing.

The airline industry, responsible for nearly 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions, has pledged to hit net zero by 2050 to help curb global warming.

But with travel demand likely to add to the 100,000 or so flights daily, some worry they could struggle with that goal .

Airlines say they are optimistic . Here are some of the strategies they are looking at:

The airline industry believes its quickest path to net-zero is replacing jet fuel with “sustainable aviation fuel” (SAF) made from renewable sources, such as plants or used cooking oil.

In theory, SAF can cut flight emissions by around 80%, depending on how it is made.

But SAF is not widely available because of cost. The United States and other countries are considering subsidies to bring prices down and supplies up. In the meantime, some airlines are blending small amounts into their fuel.

There are other concerns, including whether planes can run properly on pure SAF, as opposed to a mix. Engines designed for petroleum-based fuel rely on its oily qualities to lubricate internal parts and protect gaskets and seals. It is unclear if SAF offers that effect on its own.

Boeing (BA.N) is studying the issue and has committed to ensuring its planes are certified for 100% SAF by 2030.

Even if SAF can replace petroleum fuel completely, it still only reduces emissions by 80% at best.

The rest could be written off with carbon offsets – financial instruments that allow an emitter to pay someone else to cut emissions.

Offset credits are generated by investing in clean energy projects, planting trees, or supporting other types of efforts that keep emissions from the atmosphere. Airlines and other industries are already making these investments.

But scientific uncertainty as well as a lack of transparency and international quality standards mean it is impossible to be sure those using offsets are cutting the promised emissions.

Negotiators at the U.N. climate summit in Glasgow are trying to solve the issue by agreeing on standards for government-run carbon markets, which would likely then inform rules for voluntary ones. But delegates are not sure a deal can be struck.

Direct eye capture

United Airlines (UAL.O) has shunned carbon offsets, which its CEO Scott Kirby calls the "the height of greenwashing".

Instead, UA is betting on direct air capture (DAC), a technology still in development that would suck carbon dioxide directly out of the atmosphere and store it underground.

The U.S. airline is a "small minority" partner in 1PointFive Inc's project in Texas, which hopes to become the world's first commercial direct air capture facility with a capacity to remove 1 million tons of CO2 from the air annually.

As other sectors proceed to decarbonize, the aviation sector could account for a much higher share of global greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century than its 2%-3% share today.

Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) can reduce the life-cycle carbon footprint of aviation fuel by up to 80%, but they currently make up less than 0.1% of total aviation fuel consumption. Enabling a shift from fossil fuels to SAFs will require a significant increase in production, which is a costly investment.

The Forum’s Clean Skies for Tomorrow (CST) Coalition is a global initiative driving the transition to sustainable aviation fuels as part of the aviation industry’s ambitious efforts to achieve carbon-neutral flying.

The coalition brings together government leaders, climate experts and CEOs from aviation, energy, finance and other sectors who agree on the urgent need to help the aviation industry reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The coalition aims to advance the commercial scale of viable production of sustainable low-carbon aviation fuels (bio and synthetic) for broad adoption in the industry by 2030. Initiatives include a mechanism for aggregating demand for carbon-neutral flying, a co-investment vehicle and geographically specific value-chain industry blueprints.

Learn more about the Clean Skies for Tomorrow Coalition's impact and contact us to find out how you can get involved.

The technology has yet to be proven up to scale. And it's expensive, costing hundreds of dollars to capture just one ton of CO2. Several previous carbon capture and storage (CCS) efforts have failed .

Kirby said he thinks the 1PointFive project will work, but isn't sure if it will be a cost-effective option.

Electric and hydrogen

Other options being studied include whether battery capacity can be scaled up to power planes, and whether hydrogen fuel made with renewable power can be produced in the quantities needed.

The technologies are still far from commercial use, with batteries heavy and hydrogen fuel still unproven in planes.

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Rolls-Royce held a 15-minute test flight of a small electric plane in September, calling it a "milestone on the aviation industry’s journey towards decarbonization".

The engine-maker said it expects a market for electric "flying taxis" for short distances within a few years, while longer flights would probably need other technologies.

As for hydrogen, Airbus (AIR.PA) says it will develop the world's first commercial aircraft fueled by the gas by 2035.

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Home > Sustainability > Achieving carbon neutrality: How to become a carbon neutral business by 2050

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Achieving carbon neutrality: How to become a carbon neutral business by 2050

October 13, 2021

4 min read |  Atin Chhabra

This audio was created using Microsoft Azure Speech Services

As climate change is the most defining issue of current times, achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 has become an indispensable priority for the world. We are at a critical juncture, where climate change is moving faster than us, and every half degree is making a world of difference.

As we all know, companies are largely responsible for the rising level of emissions; it is vital for them to undertake efforts to reduce harmful emissions and become carbon neutral companies. However, a few companies are still unable to figure out how they should go about it. So, before we head to the detailed process of achieving carbon neutrality, let us understand the definition of carbon neutrality and the role of companies in achieving it.

In the simplest terms, carbon neutrality means balancing carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere due to a company’s activities by removing an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide. Corporations have an important role to play in scaling innovative and robust solutions to present realistic and concrete plans towards a zero-carbon economy . Ambitious business leaders have eventually recognized and realized that achieving carbon neutrality by developing a corporate climate action plan is one of the practical ways to build healthier and sustainable economies and businesses .

What does it mean to be a carbon neutral business?

A carbon-neutral business balances its carbon emissions with equivalent carbon savings, achieved through renewable energy use, efficiency measures, and investing in external environmental projects.

Unless your business completely relies on renewable energy, your carbon emissions are unlikely to be zero. Being ‘carbon neutral’ means that your business operations emit an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that you can offset by some other means. Some companies have proactively started working towards becoming carbon neutral companies by devising innovative strategies and adopting advanced technologies such as digitalization , machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Precisely, achieving carbon neutrality means your business’s carbon emissions have a neutral impact on the environment.

Now that we have a fair understanding of what carbon neutrality is and what it means to be carbon neutral, it is time to dive deeper and understand the simple process of becoming a carbon neutral company.

What is the significance of a business being carbon neutral?

Achieving carbon neutrality involves maintaining a balance between the quantity of carbon dioxide released into the air and the equal quantity that is extracted. This action mitigates the adverse consequences of climate change, including elevated temperatures and the rise of sea levels. The pursuit of carbon neutrality is crucial because of its favorable influence on the ecosystem and future generations’ well-being. Enterprises have the capacity to achieve carbon neutrality by embracing sustainable methodologies . This not only combats climate change but also promotes the brand.

What is an example of carbon neutrality?

An example of carbon neutrality is when a company takes steps to minimize its carbon emissions, such as using renewable energy sources, optimizing transportation, and reducing waste. Any remaining emissions can be offset through initiatives like planting trees or investing in carbon capture projects. This ensures the company’s overall carbon footprint is effectively balanced to zero. In essence, carbon neutrality means emitting no more carbon than is being removed from the atmosphere, contributing to a healthier planet , and mitigating the effects of climate change.

Achieving carbon neutrality: How to become a carbon neutral business?

Companies have the potential to lead the transition to net zero emissions by 2050. The decisions and steps companies take today would matter to our communities and economy in the decades ahead. So, we’ve collated a few steps to help companies achieve their carbon neutrality goals:

As the first step towards achieving carbon neutrality, companies need to set ambitious goals of net-zero emissions and prepare a corporate climate action or transition plan that the world needs. It will act as a framework for companies to implement their carbon reduction strategies and plans in an organized and calculated way.

• Collaborate

Collaboration with technology and strategic partners can prove successful for companies who need assistance in developing and fueling their corporate climate action plans for achieving carbon neutrality goals. They can seek assistance throughout their journey, right from analyzing their emissions based on concrete data to devising robust climate change mitigation strategies and their implementation. Therefore, collaboration with leading companies can significantly help drive change, reduce emissions, and increase the impact.

Strengthening innovation and augmenting investment in carbon reduction strategies while deploying reliable and resilient technological solutions is the key to achieving the ambitious carbon neutrality goals set by the companies. Moreover, as a majority of carbon emissions are due to energy consumption, it is imperative to change how businesses create, manage, and use energy to achieve carbon neutrality. Therefore, it would be logical to begin with understanding how and where energy is being consumed or wasted, wherein digital technologies will play a crucial role. Sensors that can monitor performance, software solutions that will connect the operations with IT systems, analytics, and automation will equip individuals and organizations with the ability to better optimize and manage their environment.  And the positive news is we already have energy and digital automation technology in place.

Lastly, companies need to advocate the results of the efforts they’ve invested in achieving their carbon neutrality goal. They can do this by pursuing an ambitious and science-based climate policy plan, being a part of the Climate Group’s EP100 and EV 100 initiatives and joining other global initiatives. As achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is an urgent and critical mission, it is important for companies to advocate their activities, strategies, and progress proactively. This would play a vital role in helping them become carbon neutral companies.

Moving toward achieving carbon neutrality collaboratively

The world needs to build a truly global coalition for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Every company, financial institution, city, and country should strategize and deploy plans for net-zero emissions and act now to get on the track to achieve this goal by cutting down global emissions significantly. Advantageously, technology is on our side. Today, it costs more to run coal plants in contrast to building new renewable plants from scratch. So, it’s time to set ambitious targets, develop a well-structured carbon neutrality plan, deploy technology, invest wisely in global goals of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and lead the change.

Read More: Carbon Neutrality Consultancy Services: Here’s How to Achieve Carbon Neutral Certification

Tags: Carbon Neutrality , Net Zero Carbon Emissions

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Carbon neutral travel: how to reduce your carbon footprint

Travel is an incredibly rewarding experience, but it's important to consider the environmental impact of our journeys. Let's start with carbon neutral travel.

Raquel www.solanomundo.com.br

Apr 30, 2023

Carbon neutral travel is a way to reduce your carbon footprint and make a positive difference in the world while having life-changing experiences. Travelers can contribute to carbon neutrality by avoiding air travel when possible, traveling close to home, choosing greener airlines, offsetting flight emissions, and more.

Worldpackers offers travelers the opportunity to participate in sustainable travel with eco-friendly hosts around the globe, helping you slow down and become more aware of how your travels affect others. When choosing a volunteer project , look for eco-friendly alternatives that use renewable energy sources and sustainable practices .

You can also start by choosing low-carbon transportation options to get to your host, such as public transport, biking, or walking. Finally, be mindful of how you dispose of your waste when traveling: avoid single-use plastic when possible and recycle what you can. With these steps in mind, it's easy to plan your next adventure as a carbon-neutral travel.

What is a carbon neutral travel?

A carbon neutral travel policy is a set of guidelines and practices that aim to reduce or offset the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere through travel. This can include using renewable energy sources, reducing air travel, carpooling, taking public transportation when possible, and purchasing carbon offsets.  

Carbon offsets are investments in projects that absorb or avoid emissions from entering the atmosphere. By implementing these measures travelers can help mitigate their environmental impact while still enjoying their travels.  One of the most sustainable ways to get around, after walking and biking, is to use public transportation , such as buses and trains. This reduces emissions from private transport and helps to reduce traffic congestion. 

Choosing eco-friendly accommodations such as campings or hostels can also help minimize your environmental impact. This not only cuts down on emissions but also allows you to explore more of your destination in an active way.

Read more on how to be a conscious traveler .

Carbon neutral travel: tips to be a sustainable traveler

Tourism is a major industry that can have a negative impact on the environment due to carbon emissions from air travel and other activities. Air travel is one of the biggest contributors to global warming, as each flight emits tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. But to reduce your carbon footprint when travelling, there are several things you can do from traveling more slower to choosing sustainable accommodations.

Avoid air travel when possible

Airplanes emit large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other pollutants into the atmosphere when they fly. These emissions contribute significantly to climate change and global warming, as well as local air pollution in areas near airports or flight paths . The amount of CO2 emitted depends on how far you fly and what type of aircraft you use –older planes tend to be less efficient than newer ones.

Travel close to home

Travel can be a powerful tool for positive change, but it's important to consider the impact our travels have on the environment. Traveling close to home is one way to reduce our carbon footprint while still enjoying meaningful experiences and connecting with nature . Not only will you save money, but you'll have the opportunity to explore your own culture from a different perspective and visit nearby communities in a more meaningful way.

Choose a greener airline

Carbon neutral air travel is possible, by using alternative fuels and advanced aircraft technologies, airlines can reduce their emissions to zero. Additionally, offsetting the remaining emissions with carbon credits or investing in renewable energy projects can help make air travel completely carbon neutral . 

Airlines are also making efforts to increase efficiency by reducing weight and optimizing flight paths which helps reduce fuel consumption and emissions. To reduce your carbon footprint while travelling, choose an airline with more efficient planes , fly direct, buy offsets for flights taken and book economy class tickets.

Travel slower

Slow travel gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture of your destination by spending more time there. You can discover hidden gems off the beaten path that most tourists don’t get to see, learn about different customs from locals , or even take part in traditional activities like cooking classes or cultural tours. This type of travel also helps support small businesses in rural areas which are often overlooked by larger tour companies.

Slow travel offers other side benefits, such as: connecting with nature and wildlife, and save money and time . Traveling slower tends to be cheaper than traditional tourism, as accommodation costs are lower when staying at one place instead of moving around constantly. 

Choose sustainable accommodation

Your choice of accommodation also plays an important role in reducing the environmental impact of tourism. Look for hotels that are certified green or eco-friendly - these often use renewable energy sources such as solar power, dopt sustainable practices such as water conservation initiatives, and may even offer locally sourced food in their restaurants or cafes. 

Staying in smaller guesthouses owned by locals can also help support local economies while minimizing your own environmental footprint during your trip. Last but not least, volunteering is one of the best ways to choose sustainable accommodation while giving back to the community and having an incredibly rewarding experience.

Connect with nature and experience local culture

Taking your time while travelling means having more opportunities to appreciate nature around you. Whether it’s taking a leisurely stroll through a national park or going on an overnight camping trip. Slow travel allows you to observe wildlife up close without disturbing it too much, and develop an appreciation for natural landscapes that you may miss if you rush through places quickly.

Slowing down your travel pace allows you to experience the routine of the place, talk to locals, and make new friends. This way, you're more likely to get invited to local events and try different types of local food. Traveling slower also allows you to make better use of your vacation days , as you have more free time during your stay instead of rushing from one attraction to the next all day.

Eco-hosts to volunteer around the world

Europe is home to some of the most beautiful and unique ecological projects to volunteer in the world. From  organic farms in Switzerland , to helping with horse care in Portugal , there are plenty of sustainable accommodation options for travellers looking to reduce their carbon footprint while exploring this continent.

In Asia & Pacific Islands , you can find everything from traditional thatched huts on Fiji’s beaches, to beachfront villas made entirely out of bamboo on Bali . These eco-friendly hosts offer an authentic experience with minimal environmental impact, perfect for those who want to explore without leaving too much of a mark behind them.

North America & Caribbean also have some great eco-hosts that provide sustainable accommodations for travellers looking to make a positive impact during their travels. In Canada, you can stay at off-grid lodges powered by solar energy or rent tiny homes surrounded by nature reserves; while in Mexico and other parts of Central America you can find rustic ecolodges nestled among lush jungles and rainforests.

In Latin America,  you can help with an ecological water recycling project in Mexico , learn about Indigenous culture in Venezuela , and work with biodynamic agriculture in Brazil . These ecological projects offer a deep connection with nature and the opportunity to visit some of the best beaches in the world, and learn how to surf and dive in your free time. 

No matter where your travels take you around the world, there are always eco-friendly hosts available offering sustainable accommodation options so that everyone can enjoy travelling responsibly. Ecological projects offer travelers a unique way to explore the world while reducing their carbon footprint. Now that you know where to find them, let's look at some tips for planning sustainable travel.

Tips for carbon neutral travel planning

Sustainable travel planning is key to reducing your carbon footprint during travel. Research you destination, choose greener transportation and pack lightly are part of that. Here are some tips to help you make your travels more sustainable.

1. Research your destination before you go

Researching the destination before you go can help reduce your environmental impact and save money. Make sure to research local customs, transportation options, climate, and attractions so that you can plan accordingly. You can also look into eco-friendly accommodation options such as hostels or camping sites which have a smaller environmental impact than traditional hotels.

2. Choose greener transportation options

Whenever possible, opt for greener transportation methods such as public transport or cycling instead of flying or driving long distances in order to reduce emissions from air travel and road trips. If taking a flight is unavoidable, consider offsetting the carbon emissions by purchasing carbon credits from an accredited provider.

3. Pack lightly

Packing lightly not only helps minimize waste but also reduces the amount of energy needed to transport luggage on planes and trains. Try to bring reusable items such as water bottles, cutlery sets and cloth bags. Whenever possible, avoid single-use plastics and try reusing towels multiple times rather than having them changed daily in order to conserve water resources.

Traveling sustainably is not only better for the environment, but it also allows you to get a deeper understanding of the places you visit. But how to start? Worldpackers offers an innovative way to travel more slowly and with greater purpose -let's take a look.

Worldpackers:  a way to travel slower and more sustainably

Worldpackers is a platform that allows travelers to explore the world while making a positive impact. It offers opportunities for volunteers to stay with hosts in exchange for a few hours of help, gaining unique experiences and build meaningful connections. Through Worldpackers, travelers can find eco-volunteer positions around the world in various fields such as teaching english, working on organic farms, helping out in hostels or guesthouses, and more.

Worldpackers is a platform that enables travelers to explore the world while making a positive impact. It offers an opportunity to travel slower and give back, allowing travelers to experience new cultures and make a difference in local communities along the way. Benefits include: unique experiences and meaningful connections.

How can I travel more sustainably with Worldpackers?

To use Worldpackers, you first need to create an account on the website or mobile app. Once registered, you can browse hundreds of volunteer positions available all over the globe , and, after becoming a verified member, apply for those that interest you the most. After being accepted by a host organization you will be able to contact the host directly.  

Using Worldpackers has many benefits for both travelers and hosts: for travelers, it provides the opportunity to travel at a slower pace than usual while giving back by not only learning about new cultures but also making a difference in local communities. Host organizations benefit by having access to motivated volunteers, making it much easier to carry out projects. Finally, both sides get something out of it , the travelers get unique experiences that wouldn't be possible without this type of program, and the hosts get help from passionate people who are eager to learn about other cultures.

Ready to go carbon neutral ? 

Traveling sustainably and responsibly is an important part of being a carbon neutral traveler. With Worldpackers, you can easily find eco-hosts around the world to help reduce your carbon footprint while still having life-changing experiences. By following our tips for sustainable travel planning, you can ensure that your travels are both meaningful and environmentally friendly. So start exploring the world with a lighter environmental impact today.

By choosing carbon neutral travel, we can reduce our environmental footprint and help fight climate change. Let's take actionable steps towards sustainable tourism by supporting local communities through volunteering opportunities with Worldpackers . 

Want to learn more about planning your trip? By subscribing to the WP pack plan you have unlimited access to +120 courses at Worldpackers Academy, the travel school made by travelers!

Join the community!

Create a free Worldpackers account to discover volunteer experiences perfect for you and get access to exclusive travel discounts!

Raquel Pryzant

www.solanomundo.com.br

Travel journalist, author of the @solanomundo project and collaborator in different media such as Viajes National Geographic, Folha de S. Paulo and Qual Viagem Magazine. Read more: www.solanomundo.com.br

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Mar 24, 2023

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How ecotourism benefits the environment and local communities

Ecotourism examples around the world: the 10 best places to visit and adventure.

Eco tourism destinations around the world

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Explore > Company > News > Expedia® Corporate Travel Goes Carbon Neutral

Expedia® Corporate Travel Goes Carbon Neutral

Expedia® corporate travel partners with terrapass to launch the first global carbon offset program for corporate travel.

LONDON, PARIS, MUNICH, and BELLEVUE, Wash., March 7 /PRNewswire/ — Expedia® Corporate Travel will be the first global corporate travel agency to roll out a carbon offset program to its corporate travel customers. Expedia® Corporate Travel has partnered with TerraPass, the leading retailer of green house gas reduction projects, to offer environmentally-conscious businesses the ability to both calculate the amount of carbon dioxide their employees’ business travel creates and buy the corresponding amount of carbon offsets to balance it. The new program is available to Expedia® Corporate Travel customers globally. Expedia® Corporate Travel will also make its own travel program carbon neutral by the end of the year through the purchase of TerraPass carbon offsets.

Starting in April, Expedia® Corporate Travel customers can purchase TerraPass carbon offsets for a small fraction of the average cost of an airline ticket or a company’s total annual travel spend. Purchasing a TerraPass enables companies and individual travelers to sponsor measured, verified reductions in greenhouse gas emissions directly proportional to the emissions created by their airline flights. TerraPass proceeds fund clean energy projects, such as wind farms and innovative “cow power” methane capture plants on U.S. dairies.

“Expedia® Corporate Travel is dedicated to practicing ecologically responsible travel, and we are proud to extend environmentally conscious options like TerraPass carbon offsets to our customers around the globe,” said Jean-Pierre Remy, president of Expedia® Corporate Travel. “We are committed to making a positive impact on business travel, by implementing our own green travel policy, as well as through industry advocacy for and the promotion of green travel policies. We invite our customers to join us in this endeavor.”

Expedia® Corporate Travel customers can choose from five individual TerraPass products enabling travel managers to create corporate travel policies that allow individual travelers to purchase carbon offsets as they book, based on pounds of carbon dioxide offset and mileage. Customers may also opt to purchase an enterprise size Green Company package that will offset all emissions generated by the airline travel of their entire company over a given period of time.

“We are pleased to partner with Expedia® Corporate Travel on the first program that provides businesses the opportunity to make their travel carbon neutral,” said Tom Arnold, chief environmental officer of TerraPass. “Expedia® Corporate Travel’s global presence provides an ideal platform to build an awareness of clean travel among business travelers, and TerraPass makes it simple to do something about it.”

“The voluntary market for greenhouse gas reductions has tremendous potential, and this is an innovative program that enables business travelers to reduce their greenhouse gas impact. This is a market we want to support by providing certainty for consumers through our verification process,” said Jennifer Martin, director of certification and analysis for the Center for Resource Solutions.

To signify a contribution to green travel, travelers who purchase TerraPass carbon offsets for short haul flights will receive a decal and travelers who purchase a higher tier TerraPass package will receive a luggage tag. Companies that adopt a green travel policy and buy an enterprise TerraPass package will receive a plaque, as well as luggage tags for all of their travelers.

All TerraPass sales and support of clean energy projects are independently audited by the Center for Resource Solutions, a San Francisco non-profit organization that runs market surveillance and certification programs in the green power industry.

About Expedia® Corporate Travel

Expedia® Corporate Travel is the No. 1 online corporate travel agency and fifth largest travel management company in the world. As part of Expedia, Inc., (NASDAQ: EXPE), the world’s leading online travel company, empowering business and leisure travelers with the tools and information they need to easily research, plan, book and experience travel, Expedia® Corporate Travel brings together the best of technology and corporate support in a single- source solution that drives down costs. Business travelers have access to specialized tools, while companies can take advantage of rich management and reporting features.

About TerraPass

TerraPass is the leading consumer retailer of greenhouse gas reduction programs in the U.S. Thousands of individuals and businesses use TerraPass to balance out the global warming impact of their flying and driving. Collectively, TerraPass members have funded the reduction of over 150 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. TerraPass funds clean energy and conservation projects throughout the U.S., including wind farms and biomass energy. All TerraPass greenhouse gas reductions are verified by an independent auditor, the non-profit Center for Resources Solutions, creator of the Green-e renewable energy certification program. For more information on projects TerraPass funds, visit http://www.terrapass.com/ .

Expedia and the airplane logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE: Expedia® Corporate Travel

CONTACT: Jordan Rittenberry of Edelman for Expedia® Corporate Travel, +1-312-233-1226, [email protected]; or Adam Stein of TerraPass, +1-650-331-0078, [email protected] </br/></br/>

Web site: http://www.expediacorporate.com/ http://www.terrapass.com/ </br/>

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Corporate Travel Is a Lightning Rod In Carbon Offsets Debate

Matthew Parsons , Skift

October 20th, 2021 at 7:25 AM EDT

Some travel and hospitality companies have good intentions when it comes to becoming more sustainable enterprises, but there are still some uncomfortable truths.

Matthew Parsons

Travel and sustainability will be major talking points over the next couple of weeks ahead of a major climate change conference, but there are concerns corporations are using carbon offsetting as a cover to avoid taking real action to reduce emissions.

The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties,  or COP26, takes place in Glasgow from October 31 to November 12, and corporate marketing departments are in overdrive. However, with companies increasingly uttering terms like carbon neutral, carbon negative and net zero, one sustainability startup warned there’s growing confusion about what these words actually mean.

“There has been a trend of top-down, corporate declarations of net zero targets in recent years and some of these have certainly been made as political gestures, without first considering the realities and how such a target can be achieved,” said Tom Wood, carbon accounting lead at Emitwise .

Corporate travel is in the spotlight. “The sustainability thinking is that we want to reduce business class because it’s less efficient in transporting people,” said Neil Hammond, partner at GoldSpring Consulting , speaking at a recent webinar . “We could fill up more of the plane with more economy seats, that’s a longer term play. Unfortunately, I’m not sure how successful that’s going to be. That’s against the traveler experience focus.”

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At the same time, some analysts believe business trips will rebound over the coming months. They’ve lagged the leisure recovery, but with news of the U.S. reopening its borders to vaccinated air travelers on November 8 , employees are getting ready to fly again.

Larger organizations’ sustainability drives  could tone down much of the pent-up demand, much to the disappointment of airlines. Business travel is a common emissions category that companies seek to calculate. It is commonly the first of the so-called Scope 3 (indirect) emissions sources, which companies calculate after coming to grips with direct emissions. These include Scope 1 (consuming fuel in vehicles or heating systems owned by the company) and Scope 2 (purchased energy emissions.)

Witness too the range of global consultancies planning to slash these Scope 3 emissions as early as next year.

The issue, however, is some companies decide to offset their emissions in a bid to become buzzword-friendly carbon neutral — it sounds great, but is it enough? And becoming a carbon neutral company isn’t the same as becoming a net zero company, either, although the terms can get mixed up in corporate speak.

“The market for carbon offsets is buoyant with cheap ‘avoidance’ offsets where you pay for the avoidance of emissions which it is claimed would otherwise have taken place,” Wood said. “These can be controversial and of variable quality — as it can be difficult to prove that the emission would have occurred in the absence of the scheme.”

Some hospitality companies now also use “carbon negative.” Radisson Hotel Group has claimed it is the world’s first hotel group to offer carbon negative meetings across 400 participating hotels, as part of its “Carbon Negative Planet Positive” initiative.

“The upcoming COP26 conference will see world leaders come together to discuss climate change which needs all our attention,” said Eric de Neef, Radisson’s executive vice president, global chief branding and commercial officer.  “We are constantly reviewing how we as a global business can influence positive climate action, and how we can encourage the hospitality industry to push the boundaries on green meetings and events.”

The emerging definition of net zero requires companies first undertake deep reductions in carbon emissions before offsetting the remaining residual emissions with “removal” offsets. These include funding tree planting and technologies such as carbon capture and storage, which genuinely remove carbon from the atmosphere.

Microsoft, for example, has set up a $1 billion fund to invest in carbon reduction and removal technologies . It aims to be carbon negative by 2030. The British government also recently announced it had attracted $13 billion from global investors to fund its green regeneration agenda , which includes zero carbon warehouses and decarbonisation technology for the waste industry.

What Can We Expect to See?

Shorter term, the best option a company can take is to consider what business travel can reasonably be avoided, but this rarely means stopping traveling at all. As well as moving to economy flights, there’s the obvious shift from air or road to trains.

Emitwise isn’t seeing much demand for carbon budgets , Wood said, as they represent a hard limit on what could be an essential business activity. But internal carbon pricing is growing, where a company charges teams an additional cost for activities that result in carbon emissions, on top of the costs in the external market. For example, this might involve adding $20 or $100 to the cost of a short-haul return flight, but the money is retained within the business. But again, it doesn’t prevent the trips from taking place.

Sustainable aviation fuel is another option. “Solutions such as sustainable fuel and newer more efficient aircraft are essential. Corporate clients are purchasing it directly from producers, while the Airbus A321 neo delivers 20 percent greater efficiency,” said John Harvey, managing partner at consultancy Harvey & Heywood .

And airlines are committing to these fuels. Southwest Airlines, for example, recently pledged to replace 10 percent of its total jet fuel consumption with sustainable aviation fuel by 2030.

Online booking tools are also starting to put aircraft type information in front of the traveler now, said GoldSpring’s Hammond. “This Covid experience we’ve gone through has been a great opportunity for the airlines to refresh their fleets, and retire old aircraft,” he said. Travel managers were also evaluating suppliers, which are now automatically reporting their initiatives and different scope levels to them, including carbon offsetting and even their own carbon neutral date.

It’s all progress, but there’s a long way to go. November’s COP26 is at least expected to offer definitive guidance around the vocabulary and terminology — and lead to more thought before declaring net zero targets.

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Tags: carbon emissions , carbon offsets , climate change , corporate travel , radisson hotel group , southwest airlines , sustainability , travel management

Photo credit: A Fridays for Future march in Bonn, Germany, in 2019. Mika Baumeister / Unsplash

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Nat Hab is the world's first 100% carbon-neutral travel company, and we continue to provide leadership to the travel industry.

• 14,672 cars not on the road for a year
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• 8,577 homes not using electricity for one year
• 1,125,924 tree seedlings grown for 10 years
• 459 acres of woodlands preserved from deforestation
• 2,947,449 trash bags of waste recycled instead of landfilled

You Can Offset Your Personal Travel, Too If you’d like to offset you flights for trips other than with Nat Hab, navigate to this handy carbon calculator on South Pole's website, which lets you calculate and offset your emissions at the same time. It doesn’t cost much, but the collective impact is significant!

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This Travel Company Just Became the Latest to Go Totally Carbon Neutral

A very small but growing group of outfitters is investing in clean energy projects to fully offset their climate impact..

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Lindblad Expeditions plans to offset all its carbon outputs by the end of the year.

Photo by Ralph Lee Hopkins/Lindblad Expeditions

Adventure travel company Lindblad Expeditions has committed to becoming fully carbon neutral by the end of 2019. The company announced last week that it will offset 100 percent of the emissions from the 13 ships in its fleet of small-ship expedition cruise vessels (eight are Lindblad–National Geographic vessels and five are leased ships).

It will also offset emissions that result from all of its land-based operations, employee travel, and its offices in New York and Seattle, among other emission contributors.

Lindblad Expeditions works in partnership with National Geographic on its oceangoing voyages, and the announcement coincides with National Geographic’s ongoing efforts to decrease the impact of carbon emissions associated with its travel programs.

“Global climate change is arguably the greatest threat humanity has ever faced—we all need to urgently step up our efforts whether big or small,” Sven Lindblad, CEO and founder of Lindblad Expeditions, said in a statement.

The company did not specify exactly how much it will cost to make its carbon neutral goals a reality, but it told AFAR that it is a “significant financial commitment.” The investment will not impact or be reflected in pricing—rates are not going to increase and are set for 2019 and 2020, the company confirmed.

To deliver on its commitment, Lindblad Expeditions partnered with South Pole , an organization that develops global emission reduction projects, on six carbon projects. The investments focus on renewable energy projects in Mexico, India, and Vietnam (solar-powered energy in Mexico and India, and wind-powered energy in Vietnam); reforestation projects in Peru and Zimbabwe; and a community cookstove project in Rwanda aimed at distributing more fuel-efficient cookstoves.

Other carbon neutral travel companies

The ability to purchase carbon offsets has become a common, if controversial, offering provided by travel companies such as airlines and tour operators to give travelers the opportunity to offset some of their impact. Critics argue that the bigger issue is the need to reduce carbon emissions overall, rather than find ways to offset them (and that the economics and science behind offsets aren’t always sound).

Agree with the practice or not, a small group of travel companies is taking the concept of carbon offsets a step further and investing to fully counteract their impact in order to be able to operate as carbon neutral companies.

Natural Habitat Adventures, a smaller nature and adventure outfitter (in which Lindblad holds a majority stake) offers land-based tours and has been operating as carbon neutral since 2007, according to the company.

Like its parent company Lindblad, Natural Habitat currently teams up with South Pole to offset greenhouse gas emissions from its trips. Starting this year, the company reported that it will also be offsetting all of its customers’ round-trip flights to and from its land journeys.

Global tour operator Intrepid Travel reports that it has been a carbon neutral company since 2010, purchasing carbon credits for renewable energy projects such as a wind-power project in India, a rain forest restoration initiative in Borneo, and a forest protection project in Malawi.

This past spring, Intrepid revealed ambitions to actually become climate positive by 2020—beyond offsetting its carbon emissions, the company now aims to offset more carbon emissions than it actually generates as a travel company.

“Climate action has to be a priority for anyone who loves travel,” Darrell Wade, Intrepid cofounder, said in a statement.

To achieve its goal, Intrepid launched a campaign this past Earth Day (April 22) through its not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation , aimed at raising $245,000 for a marine permaculture initiative that will regenerate marine ecosystems in Tasmania and sequester carbon from the atmosphere. ( Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide, which has been recognized as a method for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.) As of early June, nearly $50,000 had been raised toward the cause.

The idea is to invest in the regeneration of kelp forests that have been lost to climate disruption. Intrepid partnered with the Climate Foundation, a U.S.-based nonprofit, and the University of Tasmania, on the project. All donations being made to the project through The Intrepid Foundation are being matched by Intrepid.

“The global climate crisis is escalating, [and] ignoring the problem isn’t going to make it go away,” added Wade. “We need to act now. The good news is that there are solutions.”

>> Next: Everything You Need to Know About Carbon Offsets

More From Forbes

Would you travel on a nuclear-powered cruise ship.

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Is the future of cruise ships, nuclear energy?

Cruises are increasingly popular but not the most environmentally-friendly option for travelers keen to keep carbon emissions low. It's also true that cruise companies need to meet goals of being carbon-neutral by 2050—one possible solution then, would be to start building nuclear-powered cruise ships.

Using nuclear power for shipping is not new. There are currently 200 nuclear reactors on ships globally, mostly submarines and naval ships. In the 1950s, the U.S. government built a passenger boat run on nuclear power—it could hold 60 travelers and lots of cargo—but it was rife with issues, not entirely related to its energy source. Now, the NS Savannah sits inside a dock in Baltimore, designed more as a proof-of-concept than anything else, reports NPR .

The forward part of the ship held a pressurized water reactor that used low-enriched uranium to produce heat—the steam that was produced ran the ship's turbines, spun the propellors and so produced electricity to power the ship up to 20 knots, equivalent to the speed of many cruise ships today. The Russian government also commissioned Sevmorput, a nuclear-powered cargo ship in 1988, that's still in operation. Two other boats—the Japanese Mutsu and the German Otto Hahn—started out life as nuclear but were fitted to take diesel later on.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the United Nations agency that regulates global shipping and it's set a target of carbon neutrality by 2050 for the cruise industry—shipping currently produces 300 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year, around 3% of global emissions.

This obviously poses some issues, because while boats are being built more efficiently, cruise ships are increasing in size—the largest, Icon of the Seas, set sail this year, and ships are installing ever-more diverse activities onboard, such as go-karting, moving bars, zip lines, rollercoasters and skydiving and surfing simulators.

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Most ships still run on diesel fuel with about one quarter now using alternative fuels such as liquefied natural gas, methanol, or hybrid propulsion—all lower in carbon emissions. According to the Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) there are 25 ships using Liquified Natural Gas that will start operating in the next five years. Seven ships belonging to Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Disney Cruise Line are also coming online that are methanol ready or methanol capable. Carnival is also looking to retrofit ships to take methanol. One of the issues though is that these fuels could be used for other purposes, as could the green power that produces them.

At the annual Seatrade Cruise Global conference that took place in Miami this month, industry leaders believe that using nuclear technology is increasingly a possibility. Inside the NS Savannah, there is a small wooden cube that fits into a person's hand that represents the volume of uranium needed to allow the ship to travel 454,000 nautical miles to circumnavigate the world more than a dozen times (a boat traveling the same distance on fuel would need 28 million gallons). These ships could go for years without refueling (some usually carry some diesel in reserve), can carry more passengers and/or cargo without the need for large fuel tanks and more importantly, fourth generator nuclear reactors are smaller and make operations much simpler.

Cruise ships have long lives and could theoretically be retrofitted with nuclear power when they go in for a refit. Some companies are engaged in studies for using nuclear power aboard ships, like the partnership between Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri and Newcleo—the results of a feasibility study to assess the practicality of deploying a 30-megawatt reactor on marine vessels is due at the end of this year.

The NS Savannah taught a lot of lessons about how to run a nuclear passenger ship but also laid bare some problems. It can be difficult docking a ship that runs on nuclear fuel into harbors—special documentation is naturally required, people need to be trained on what to do in emergencies and some countries, like New Zealand, have all out bans on nuclear ships entering their waters.

And finally, the biggest problem might just be the paying customer—unsurprisingly, many people believe the public might not be particularly favorable to the idea.

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8 years of carbon neutral: this is how Intrepid offsets your trip

UPDATED: This blog was originally published on April 21st, 2017. 

This year marks 8 years since Intrepid Travel set a goal to become the biggest  carbon neutral travel company  in the world.

In late 2010 we achieved this goal through our Carbon Management Plan and all our offices around the globe officially became carbon neutral. The main sources of carbon emission from our trips (transport, accommodation and waste) are also assessed and offset into renewable energy projects. Since then, we’ve offset over 290,000 tonnes of carbon emissions from our trips and offices worldwide, including over 40,000 tonnes of carbon in 2017.

One of the most urgent problems facing our world today is climate change – a problem that the tourism industry can’t ignore any longer. As a travel company, we knew it was our responsibility to sustain and protect the environment we use and enjoy. That’s why we made a commitment 10 years ago to minimise our environmental impact through our Carbon Management Plan, which helps us to operate our business in a sustainable manner, addresses our environmental commitments under the United Nations Global Compact and outlines our carbon offsetting initiatives.

Here are 5 things you should know about our Carbon Neutral plan.

1. How is Intrepid a carbon neutral business?

We work hard to reduce carbon emissions and seek less carbon-intensive alternatives where possible, and then balance the remaining emissions by purchasing internationally-certified carbon credits. To decrease our trips’ carbon footprint, we make sure our trips are low impact by using 21 different kinds of public transportation worldwide, staying in simple, locally-owned accommodation and eating at locally-owned restaurants where the food has been sourced close-by. Offsets are purchased on behalf of each and every one of our travellers, ensuring the carbon emitted from all departures is offset.

In our offices and stores around the world, we also measure, avoid, reduce, and offset carbon-related usage and ‘green out’ our office spaces. We’re always looking for ways to reduce the level of emissions generated and follow our Carbon Management Plan diligently. Ultimately we want to maintain our carbon neutrality year after year.

2. What is carbon offsetting?

Carbon offsets are a way for individuals and businesses to balance out their greenhouse gas emissions by allocating funds to emission reduction programs. Think of it like this: if you ate 300 calories worth of gelato in Italy but then burned 300 calories walking around Rome, the net impact (in terms of calories) of eating the gelato would be zero. While it’s not ideal – in that you probably shouldn’t have eaten that gelato in the first place – it’s far better than not doing anything at all.

Offsetting carbon works in a similar way, but instead of gelato and long strolls in Rome, it is carbon and offsetting that carbon into renewable energy projects in the countries we travel. At Intrepid, we quantify our carbon usage, and then we purchase carbon credits from various projects to offset our impact. We believe investing in the renewable energy industry will help our economies transition from a fossil fuel-dependant society to a cleaner, renewable energy future.

Photo by Chris Castle

3. How did Intrepid trips become carbon offset?

87% of Intrepid’s carbon emissions come from our trips, so naturally we needed to do a lot of work to measure our trip emissions. Our local group leaders initially did detailed assessments of the carbon emissions produced from the transport, accommodation, and waste of 38 of our most popular trips, and then we sent the data to an independent assessor. We were able to use and extrapolate this data across our portfolio of trips by trip style and region.

Today, the vast majority of the Intrepid Group’s trips (including our Intrepid, Peregrine and Geckos brands) are carbon offset (that’s over 1,500 trips!).

READ MORE ABOUT HOW WE OFFSET OUR CARBON

4. What carbon offsetting projects does Intrepid invest in?

Intrepid balances emissions by purchasing carbon credits from three internationally verified carbon reduction projects. Since 2009, our carbon offsetting process has resulted in monetary contributions of over AU$2 million to projects like these.

Wind Power Project (Rajasthan, India)

Located in one of the most arid districts in India, this project plays an important role in reducing CO2 emissions and contributing to the economic growth of the area.  Investing in this project has resulted in 2 water storage tanks and 3 water filtration systems installed in the community for public use.

Solar Farm Project (Bambous, Mauritius)

This project supports technology transfer, energy transition, and the first ever solar farm in Mauritius.  The project has created 20 local jobs and saved 220,000 tonnes of CO2 entering the atmosphere.

Wind Power Project (Mexico)

Generating clean energy from renewable wind sources, this project replaces the energy that would have been generated from grid connected power plants, predominately based on fossil fuels.  Investing in this project has resulted in 50 graduates of the small wind turbine design and production course and 152.8 hectares of reforestation in the communities of the Itsmo region in Mexico.

5. What carbon offset trips means for Intrepid travellers

Each Intrepid trip offers our travellers a local, authentic, sustainable and carbon-offset experience. Travellers don’t have to worry about additional fees for carbon offsetting, as the offset cost is already embedded in the cost of the trip – averaging between $0.14 and $0.40 USD per passenger per day (dependent on the trip and region). Even with the offset included, these trips are still competitive, ensuring travellers get both the best price for a fantastic grassroots adventure with a reduced environmental impact.

Want to know how much carbon a trip emits and is offset with Intrepid? Just check out any trip page under ‘carbon offset’.

Want to find out more information? Check out our policy on responsible travel.  

Feature image c/o Damien Raggatt.

Feeling inspired?

Libby Shabada

Canadian-born nature and animal lover. I travel for the cultural enrichment, scenic views, and tasty eats. Other than being a food enthusiast, I dabble in reading, napping, and amateur crocheting. Yes, I’m in my early twenties. In addition to not acting my age, I try to avoid cliché travel quotes. But it is true that I, “haven’t been everywhere but it’s on my list”. Please never let me say that out loud again.

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Carbon footprint report 2023: lower energy use, but more business travel

University of Twente’s carbon footprint report for 2023 has been published. In the carbon footprint report, you can find all information on emissions caused by UT, including those caused by external suppliers, business trips and commuting. On paper, carbon emissions have increased in 2023 compared to 2022, because UT decided not to compensate for emissions caused by gas use in UT buildings through certificates like in 2022 and because of an increase in business travel. However, the total energy consumption of UT dropped by more than 9% compared to 2022, while gas use dropped by 23%.

The carbon footprint report is published by UT’s SEE programme in collaboration with Realised .

Total carbon footprint

• Read the carbon footprint report 2023 on the UT Carbon Platform
• Go to the carbon footprint overview page with older reports

UT carbon footprint 2019-2023

UT Carbon footprint 2023

Green electricity and VER certificates

Most of the sharp drop in emissions from 2022 onwards is a result of UT purchasing green electricity through Guarantees of Origin (GoO) since then. A large part of the increase in 2023 compared to 2022 can similarly be attributed to the fact that unlike in 2022, UT did not compensate its emissions from gas use through Voluntary Emission Reduction (VER) certificates. Without these certificates, UT’s footprint in 2022 would have been 8.3 kton, higher than our footprint in 2023.

The decision not to buy VER-certificates again in 2023 was made because while on paper such certificates reduce emissions from gas use to zero, their actual effectiveness is the subject of much discussion. Additionally, UT continues its focus on the prevention of emissions by further reducing gas use in UT buildings.

Lower gas and energy use

In 2023, UT’s gas use was reduced by 23% compared to 2022, for a total of more than 45% since 2019. This was mainly achieved by connecting more and more UT buildings to the district heating network , replacing gas as a source of heat for buildings. The biggest example in 2023 was the move of the ITC faculty from their gas-heated building in the city centre to their new building on campus, which is connected to the heating network. Most of the remaining gas use of UT is from buildings off-campus, such as Pakkerij, and air humidification in laboratories. UT is working on alternatives where possible.

Total energy use at UT in 2023 dropped by more than 9% compared to 2022, after an increase in the corona period due to increased ventilation demands. UT will continue to work on lowering its energy use, for example through making older buildings such as the Cubicus more sustainable, increased electricity generation on campus and reducing user-influenced energy use, for example in laboratories .

UT's total energy use 2014-2023

Business travel

The largest increase in CO 2 emissions can be found in scope 3 (indirect emissions): business travel. UT staff travelled more in 2023 than they did the year before. This includes all modes of transportation: train, (electric) car, coach, and plane. The increase in emissions is for the most part attributable to long-range (>2500 km) flights. 2023 is the first year since the Corona period that emissions from business flights were higher than before the pandemic. The increased number of flights more than compensated for gains made in other areas in scope 3. In total, flights are responsible for 37% of the total emissions caused by our university. UT continues to encourage alternative modes of transportation, such as the train  through the Train Map .

Since 2014, UT has published a report on our carbon footprint every year. The aim is transparency about our impact and to gain insight into causes and areas for improvement. Carbon data is collected and stored in our  Carbon Platform , with the aim of increasing the frequency of data collection and enabling better monitoring, improving communication and creating more impactful policies.

The data in scope 3 is based on information provided by external partners. Because more and more of our partners provide data and it becomes more accurate, this can lead to an increase in reported emissions. Also, the data is sometimes a best estimate: the emissions on commuting, for example, are based on a survey on the travel behavior of staff and students. As this was conducted for the first time in 10 years in 2022, there is a substantial change from previous years. This leads to a decrease in reported emissions, mostly because students indicated they commute to campus by car much less often than 10 years ago.

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This article also features in The Report: Ghana 2024 . Read more about this report and view purchase options in our online store.

Carbon-neutral building and innovation in emerging markets

Ghana | Construction,Real Estate

As the construction industry redefines its priorities to ensure sustainability, there is increasing recognition of the benefits of regenerative architecture as a means of lowering emissions. According to the “2019 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction” published by the International Energy Agency, the construction sector accounts for nearly 40% of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. In light of this reality, a greater emphasis has been placed on sustainable architecture.

The principle generally seeks to minimise the negative environmental impact of buildings by using sustainable, low-emissions materials and site-specific designs that utilise the natural environment to improve efficiency and lower costs related to areas such as lighting and heating. It challenges stakeholders to develop innovative methods to ensure that structures have minimal harmful effects on the ecosystem and community.

While much progress has been made on sustainable architecture in recent years, there is still significant room for improvement. According to modelling by the UN Environment Programme’s International Resource Panel in a 2020 report, “Resource Efficiency and Climate Change”, emissions from the material cycle of residential buildings in the G7 and China could be reduced by at least 80% by 2050 through the implementation of material efficiency strategies, such as building with fewer components or better recycling of materials.

Emerging Markets

Cities across the developing world are growing rapidly to keep up with high population growth and some urban areas are meeting the demand for new buildings through green construction. Diébédo Francis Kéré, an architect from Burkina Faso, became the first African to be awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2022 – widely considered to be the world’s most prestigious architecture award – for his work designing sustainable buildings in Africa. By revising and modernising traditional building techniques, Kéré integrates his buildings into the natural environment to improve their lighting, heating and cooling effectiveness, while ensuring that they are energy-efficient.

His first significant project, a single-storey schoolhouse in his home village of Gando in Burkina Faso, features a filtered light system that allows natural light in while keeping the interior cool. He has since designed schools, health centres, assembly halls and other public buildings in various countries including Benin, Mali, Togo, Kenya, Mozambique and Sudan. Kéré works in close partnership with local builders who use indigenous, low-tech construction methods and locally available materials.

Meanwhile, Hand Over, a design and building company based in Egypt, has emerged as a forerunner in sustainable construction. Using a technique known as rammed earth construction that deploys ecofriendly materials such as gravel, mud and sand, plus a small amount of cement, the company has constructed several sustainable housing and building projects. The technique reduces heat and dampness, leading to an estimated 30% reduction in CO₂ emissions due to lower energy usage.

New Standards

Elsewhere, Qatar sought to hold the 2022 FIFA World Cup in November and December as a carbon-neutral event, in an effort to set an example for the rest of the world. Various ecofriendly measures were implemented by using recycled materials during construction and water- and energy-saving solutions, among other innovations. The goal was to offset CO₂ emissions and develop low-carbon solutions wherever possible.

The country also constructed the first fully demountable stadium in World Cup history: Stadium 974 in Ras Abu Aboud. It was made with modular shipping containers that will be repurposed as parts of other sporting facilities after the tournament. According to the government, the competition’s venues used 30% less energy than international benchmarks due to energy-efficient features such as thick insulation, efficient cooling and ventilation, LED lighting and building-control systems. The event also used 40% less water than international benchmarks. For example, water vapour collected from the cooling system was used for irrigation, while water-efficient fixtures were installed for sinks, showers and toilets.

Sporting infrastructure for the tournament was built per the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), developed by the Doha-based Gulf Organisation for Research and Development in collaboration with international partners. The GSAS is the first integrated and performance-based green building framework for the MENA region. It draws on lessons from 40 global rating systems but has been adapted to address the region’s specific social, cultural and environmental needs.

The GSAS was reviewed and approved by FIFA as the green building system for the construction of all stadia to be used in the 2022 tournament. On-site sustainability teams were deployed at project sites to ensure the standards were embedded in all phases of design and construction, and that each stadium’s individual sustainability plan was followed throughout. Lessons and best practices were documented to influence the development of future sustainable sporting projects worldwide and further enhance the GSAS framework.

Beyond World Cup infrastructure, Qatar has other examples of public buildings designed and developed according to international sustainability standards. One such project is the Jean Nouvel-designed National Museum of Qatar, which became the first museum in the world to achieve both the LEED Gold and the four-star GSAS design and build rating when it opened in 2019. The museum has a number of architectural features that enhance its sustainability credentials. The desert rose design helps to insulate the building’s façade, with the upper façade providing shade that reduces the need for power to cool the facility. The building’s interior is supplemented by thermal mass, which reduces energy consumption during the hottest months of the year.

Regenerative Architecture

There has also been discussion around the benefits of regenerative architecture in recent years. The term refers to the design of buildings that reverse damage and have a net-positive impact on the environment.

One such building is the Ilima Primary School in Tshuapa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Located between farmland and jungle, the school was designed to act as a bridge between the two landscapes. Comprising custom shingles, mud bricks and beams made from local materials, the school features woven and dyed vines that grow around the building to keep the interior cool. The school’s construction emitted 307 fewer tonnes of CO₂ than the global average for building schools of the same size.

The Sahara Forest Project and pilot facility in Qatar is another example of regenerative architecture. Since construction began in 2012, the saltwater-cooled greenhouse has attracted many birds, grasshoppers, butterflies and rodents to the area that was once a barren desert. Michael Pawlyn, a UK architect who specialises in biomimicry and regenerative design, is one of the founders of the project.

Biomimicry is nature-inspired innovation, whereby architects attempt to emulate natural models and systems to address complex human problems. The Sahara Forest Project aims to replicate the physiology of a Namibian fog-basking beetle to create freshwater and grow crops in harsh climatic conditions to make deserts productive.

Net-Zero Cities

Sustainable architecture principles are set to grow in prominence as urban planners increasingly focus on supporting net-zero emission targets. According to the website Net Zero Tracker, as of November 2023, some 261 cities have pledged and proposed to meet net-zero CO₂ goals over the medium to long term. To achieve these goals, efforts are under way to re-imagine ways in which urban communities can be better integrated into the natural environment. To this end, C40 – a network of nearly 100 mayors from global cities collaborating to address climate challenges – launched the third edition of its Reinventing Cities initiative in May 2022. The goal was to demonstrate how municipal governments and private enterprises can collaborate on low-carbon development and community empowerment in pursuit of climate goals.

Beyond the need to reduce the carbon footprint, efforts are under way in many emerging markets to develop new net-zero cities. In August 2022, for example, plans were unveiled for the 1600-ha XZERO City in Kuwait, with construction scheduled to begin in 2024 and expected to be completed by 2034.

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