CLIMATE

 

Climate change is directly linked to an increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the atmosphere resulting from human activity.

It is all of our responsiblity to reduce our emissions as much as possible, and support the transition to a low-carbon future.

What is a carbon footprint?

The total amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) released as a result of a person’s lifestyle and activities. It is measured in tonnes of COequivalent.

Where the majority of your footprint comes from:

♦  Transportation
♦  Food
♦  Water use
♦  Energy use
♦  Waste management

GLOBALLY, 51 BILLION tons

of GHGs are emitted into our atmosphere annually (source). The IPCC tells us we need to get this number to zero by 2050.

Calculate your carbon footprint

with our partner South Pole now >

HOW WE CAN LOWER OUR EMISSIONS TOGETHER

YOUR GOAL: SHRINK YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT 

GO

Unless you’re walking or cycling, your mode of transportation is guarenteed to create emissions.

kilograms of GHGs released in the atmosphere for every 1 litre of fuel used by a car

biking in europe

IF you must, drive wise

If driving is unavoidable, learn what you can do to reduce your pollution, and consider a more environmentally-friendly vehicle.

Learn more >

TAKE a walk

Avoid the car when you can. Try walking, cycling or taking public transport instead.

 

STAY

Small changes to your lifestyle habits when at home can go a long way in shrinking your carbon footprint.

2.75+

billion tonnes

of annual CO2 emissions estimated from plastic by 2050

PUT a sweater on

Lower your thermostat: by reducing the heat by just 1º C you can reduce emissions (and your bill!) by 5 – 10%

Go plastic-free

Replacing plastic household items with reusable ones is within reach and can have a massive impact. Explore alternatives at the Sustainable Travel & Living Store.

EAT

By going vegan for 2/3 of your meals, you can cut food-related CO2 by 60%. Start by introducing Meatless Mondays to your week.

%

of all greenhouse gas emissions globally come from food production

Legumes bean seed in sack, top view

EAT THIS, NOT THAT

Take a look at how these protein-rich foods stack up in terms of the amount of CO2 emissions created per 100 grams. On average, producing 100 grams of beef creates 25 kilograms of CO2 (source).

  • Beef (25 kg)
  • Chicken (4.3 kg)
  • Eggs (3.8 kg)
  • Tofu (1.6 kg)
  • Beans (0.65 kg)

impact in the kitchen

 

♦ Compost organic waste. Decomposing waste in landfills emits a harmful GHG, methane, into the atmosphere.

Choose reusable: remember that plastic problem! Coffee cups, shopping bags, produce bags, silicon instead of cling film or resealable bags, & skip the packaging.

Go for local: less distanced travelled = lower carbon foorprint.

TRAVEL

It’s important to keep the same low-carbon habits you have at home when traveling. However, we recognize air travel has a significant carbon footprint on its own. Here are a few tips to reduce your impact: 

1. RESEARCH

New tools on Google Flights and Skyscanner allow you to identify flights with lower emissions based on type of aircraft and type of fuel.

 

2. GO DIRECT

Take off and landing are the most fuel intensive portion of the flight, fly direct if you can.

 

3. SAVE MONEY

Premium or first class may have more leg room, but with that comes a carbon footprint up to 6 times higher than traveling in economy.

 

4. GO LIGHTLY

The heavier the airplane, the more greenhouse gas emissions it emits. If every passenger packed one less pair of shoes (or the equivalent of 1 kg) the impact would result in the equivalent of taking 10,500 cars off the road for one year.

 

5. OFFSET

Check out our carbon offset provider South Pole to offset your flight.

Offset your flight >

OUR GOALS:

#1: REACH NET ZERO GHG EMISSIONS ACROSS THE VALUE CHAIN BY 2050 FROM A 2019 BASELINE YEAR

#2: SOURCE 50% OF OUR ELECTRICITY FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES BY 2025

Our Climate action plan: in practice

The Travel Corporation is working towards net zero through our Climate Action Plan

1. Measure

Measure the emissions from our business and trips and report on an annual basis via our Impact Report.
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DILIGENT

Diligent (formerly Accuvio) is a cloud-based carbon reporting tool that we use to measure our business emissions  those from our offices, Red Carnation Hotels, Uniworld ships, fleet, other owned facilities and accommodations, and employee air busines travel.

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Custom Trip Calculator

In 2020 we worked with external experts to develop a custom tool to measure the emissions from the trips across all TTC brands. Used by our internal teams, this trip calculator accounts for all included transport, accommodation, and meals to understand the carbon footprint of trips across our brands. See our trip carbon calculator methodology here >

2. Reduce

Reduce emissions to achieve our verified science-based net zero targets. Our decarbonization plan is focused on five key areas: reducing energy use at our Red Carnation Hotels, reducing emissions from our Uniworld ships, securing zero emission vehicles, utilizing renewable energy across the group and reducing the footprint of our trips. To finance our transition to a low-carbon business, we’ve established a Carbon Fund. Each brand contributes to the Carbon Fund on an annual basis, and their contributions correspond to whether they are a low, medium or high emitter.
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Efficient Fleet

Travel by coach is one of the most efficient ways to travel, with a smaller carbon footprint per passenger kilometer than cars, cruises, airplanes and rail. All of our brands operating in Europe use coaches with Euro 6 engines, the most efficient of its kind. We also have idling reduction programs in place for the coaches we own through AAT Kings in Australia and Atlas Reizen throughout Europe.

In 2022 Evan Evans Tours introduced its first fully electric, zero-emission motor coach to its fleet, maintaining the same great transport quality Evan Evans offers its valued guests while helping to reduce the carbon footprint of our trips and operations.

♦ In 2023, through an investment by our Carbon Fund, Contiki partnered with GoodFuels – manufacturer and supplier of HVO biofuel 100% produced from certified feedstock that is labelled as waste or residue. Through this iniative, Contiki will reduce its trip emissions by up to 20% within Europe where HVO is available, beginning in 2024.

Renewable Electricity

We’ve made great progress in our shift to secure electricity from renewable sources. So far we’ve moved to 100% renewable electricity at our Bromley and Guernsey offices in the UK, Contiki‘s special stays Haus Schöneck and Chateau, and Red Carnation’s Ashford Castle. All London Red Carnation Hotels are expected to transition to 100% renewable electricity by the close of 2022.

♦ In 2023, we secured 100% renewable electricity for 4 properties including 3 offices in North America, through our Carbon Fund, including TTC’s USA offices in Cypress and Encino, California, and our Toronto, Canada office, as well as our entertainment district in Kissimmee, Florida. This will avoid 554 tonnes of CO2e annually from our electricity consumption.

Efficient heating & cooling

We are mindful of the impacts of heating and cooling from our properties. At our Toronto data centre, we’ve installed a Kyoto Wheel for cooling and geothermal pumps for efficiency, and at our Xigera Safari Lodge in Botswana, hot water is provided via thermodynamic geysers, while SolarView tinted glass ensures temperature stability indoors for energy-efficient air conditioning.

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Solar power

We began implementing opportunities to install solar panels across our properties in 2019. Xigera Safari Lodge is powered by a Tesla solar photovoltaic diesel hybrid system that powers more than 95% of the lodge’s energy needs. You will find solar panels at our offices in Johannesburg and Durban, as well as at our Uniworld head office in Encino, California. Future projects are planned for our offices in Sydney and Red Carnation’s Twelve Apostles and Oyster Box hotels in South Africa. These solar panels generate energy not only for our offices, but also inject clean energy onto local electricity grids.

♦ In 2023 we announced the expansion our solar generation capabilities in Australia, through our Carbon Fund. Two Australian offices (Bondi and Alexandria) will install solar panels to reduce our reliance on the grid and generate clean electricity.

Alternative fuels

A select number of Uniworld ships operate on biofuel and we are undergoing tests to expand its use across Uniworld fleet. We continue to identify opportunities to move to biofuels and electric vehicles for our owned coaches where possible and engage with our contracted fleet to move to more efficient vehicles.

3. Restore

Invest in nature-based carbon removal solutions and conservation efforts to help support projects that can restore our planet. These projects will be funded via our TreadRight Foundation, TTC’s philanthropic arm.
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GreenWave

In 2021, TreadRight invested in GreenWave, a regenerative ocean farming organisation studying how kelp can be added to soil to increase its carbon storage potential while decreasing harmful nitrous oxide emissions on regenerative farms. They are based in Connecticut, USA. Learn more about their innovative solution.

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TREES FOR LIFE

In 2023, TreadRight invested in Trees for Life, a charity dedicated to rewilding the Scottish Highlands. Rewilding is an effective means to protect natural landscapes, ecosytems, and wildlife while removing carbon emissions from the atmosphere. Thousands of years ago, wild pinewoods covered an estimated one million hectares of Scotland, but today only about 2% of this life-supporting habitat remains. TreadRight’s support will go towards Trees for Life’s Wild Pine project, which is restoring Scotland’s globally important Caledonian Forest and its unique wildlife.  Learn more about our partnership.

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Project Vesta

In 2021, TreadRight invested in Project Vesta, aiming to accelerate the natural process of weathering at our shorelines to permanently store carbon in rock. They currently have pilot beaches in the Caribbean, and are studying a natural olivine sand beach in Hawaii. Learn more about their innovative solution.

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DAINTree Rainforest Rescue

In 2023, TreadRight invested in Australian-based Daintree Rainforest Rescue, dedicated to rescuing and restoring unprotected rainforest to mitigate climate change and habitat loss. As the oldest rainforest on Earth, the Daintree Rainforest is deeply significant to both the Indigenous communities that live there, and its unique and invaluable biodiversity. Learn more about the impact of TreadRight’s support.

4. Evolve

Continue to learn from others, invest in new technologies and support strategic alliances that enable us and the industry to move to a low carbon economy.  
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Partnerships

We’re not on this journey alone and we’re proud to collaborate with likeminded organizations and businesses that are taking urgent climate action. Through advocacy and support we are involved with World Travel & Tourism Council and The Future of Tourism Coalition to build roadmaps for our sector that will enable travel and tourism to achieve net zero by 2050.

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Glasgow declaration

The Travel Corporation and our brands are pleased to announce the signing of the Glasgow Declaration, formed collaboratively between the UNWTO, UNEP, VisitScotland, Tourism Declares, and Travel Foundation, uniting our sector in a shared commitment to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. This is further to TTC declaring a climate emergency and joining Tourism Declares, a community of 300+ organizations in travel and tourism dedicated to the urgent call to cut emissions in half by 2030. Learn more >

OUR PROGRESS

Our annual Impact Report details progress made by The Travel Corporation’s family of brands against the 11 goals of our 5-year sustainability strategy How We Tread Right, launched in September, 2020. Learn more >