Climate Action Plan

Many exposed to the most devastating effects of climate change live in destinations we visit as a travel company - regions with limited infrastructure, at-risk biodiversity and communities that we see suffering through storms, floods and famine time and time again.  

As a travel company built on venturing into and through some of the world’s most fascinating, yet isolated and environmentally vulnerable destinations, we have a responsibility to the planet, and to the people and places we are privileged to visit.  

The travel industry produces around 8% of the world’s carbon emissions, and so with urgent calls on all sectors of the industry to look at its practices and halve those emissions by 2030, it has never been more important for us here at Wild Frontiers to reassess and develop our own responsible travel policies, measure our footprint and step up our commitment to reduce our carbon emissions in line with the vital action required.  

In November 2021, during COP26 we joined others across the industry as a launch signatory of the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism. As part of our commitment as a signatory, we have aligned our Climate Action Plan with the core principles of Measurement, Decarbonisation, Regeneration and Collaboration.  

MEASURE

We undertook the measurement of our Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions in 2018 and 2019. However, like many, our traditional working practices have now changed. Downsizing office space and adopting remote and hybrid working has helped to reduce our operational carbon footprint – removing, in some cases, long staff commutes, and reducing office waste and energy.  

These are areas we will keep working on, both within our office and with staff in their home offices.   
   
Moving forward, a major focus of our Climate Action Plan for 2023 is looking at how to reduce carbon emissions on our group tours and tailor-made holidays. This includes reviewing our product and practices, and working with destination partners to actively implement change, where possible. 

The first step will be to measure the carbon footprint of our group tours and calculate the average carbon footprint per booking, which consists of elements included on our itineraries, such as accommodation, transport, meals, activities and excursions.  

The aim is then to reduce the average score over time. We aim to achieve this through working with a specialist consultant to ascertain more accurate measurements.  

DECARBONISE

Once measured we can more accurately look at areas in which we can reduce the carbon emissions of our operations and tours and implement an ongoing plan. It takes time to measure, but we will not let that stop us from making immediate changes where we can in the meantime.  

  • Areas we have already identified, and are confident we can make and continue to make changes include:  
  • Reviewing all itineraries with internal flights under 1.5 hours and use alternative transport where viable  
  • Continuing to work to reduce single-use plastic and food waste on tours  
  • Continuing to promote the use of filtered water bottles while travelling  
  • Reviewing experiences and activities and identifying lower carbon options, such as walking tours and cycling excursions  
  • Prioritising suppliers who have environmental policies and procedures in place  
  • Working with other suppliers and partners to help develop their environmental policies and procedures  
  • Reviewing accommodations, with the aim to increase lower carbon options such as homestays, and those that use renewable energy  
  • Working with staff on lower carbon policies for both the office and while working from home  

REGENERATE

A regenerative and nature positive approach when designing and operating our tours is ongoing and essential to our climate action plan. Supporting conservation, animal welfare and biodiversity through tourism has the opportunity to create real and sustainable impact. We plan to continue to develop our nature positive approach through:  

  • Supporting destination-based initiatives to protect and manage environmental issues  
  • Working with local partners on the ground to identify impactful nature positive experiences   
  • Increasing the number of nature positive experiences available across our group tours and tailor-made itineraries   
  • Continuing our programme of tree planting on behalf of all clients that travel with us on group tours and tailor-made holidays  

OFFSET

While working to reduce our carbon emissions, we will continue to partner with Ecologi to plant trees and fund climate projects on behalf of all clients that travel with us.  

In 2022 we planted 14,600 trees and offset 1597 tonnes of carbon through the funding of regeneration and renewable energy projects.   

Read more about our partnership with Ecologi  and watch our forest grow.

Photo credit: Ecologi / Eden Reforestation Project

COMMUNICATE

Increasing environmental awareness among all stakeholders – staff, clients, destination partners and suppliers - is key to our plan. In doing so we will:  

  • Review client communications around environmental and social issues, company ethos and responsibility while travelling  
  • Actively communicate more sustainable and impactful travel choices, including slower travel, longer stays, community tourism experiences, nature positive experiences  
  • Review partner and supply chain communications around environmental and social commitments  
  • Provide ongoing sustainable travel training for staff 

COLLABORATE

When it comes to climate action we need to come together as an industry. There is no competition, but a joint goal to reduce carbon emissions and support regeneration, which will be more effectively achieved through collaboration and the sharing of best practice.   

As signatories of the Glasgow Agreement for Climate Action in Tourism and members of the AITO (Association of Independent Tour Operators) we look forward to continuing to talk, share and work together within the travel industry to help create real and measurable change.  

WORK IN PROGRESS........

Our climate action plan is a work in progress. It is certainly not perfect, and most probably never will be, but it is a working document that we are committed to continue to develop and evolve.  

Last updated Jan 2023