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Carbon Neutral FAQs

climate change

Laughing Girls

Carbon Offsetting and neutrality

Carbon Offset trips

Kids Laos

Carbon Offset Flights

Where does my money go?

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Intrepid's Business Operations

Standards

What else can I do?

climate change

What is climate change?

Climate change is the term commonly used when talking about global warming. The Earth is like a giant greenhouse, but instead of having glass panes which trap heat, it has gases such as methane and carbon dioxide. As the sun's rays shine on the Earth this blanket of gases traps some of the heat - which has the effect of warming the planet and keeping it at a relatively constant level. Without it the Earth would either get too hot or too cold.

When greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere by human activity like burning fossil fuels and clearing land, it's like constantly adding more glass layers to the greenhouse, ultimately raising the temperature inside. If we don't reduce greenhouse gas emissions, there is a risk that the Earth will heat to a level which could seriously affect life on our planet. For more information on what is climate change, please go to Australian Conservation Foundation's website.

Human induced climate change has its sceptics but increasingly scientists are confirming what we know as global warming and the relation of human activities to it. To learn more about the consensus being reached globally regarding the science of climate change please see the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's website.

For information that has inspired us to act please see the website of An Inconvenient Truth with Al Gore.

Why the focus on carbon dioxide and not other greenhouse gases?

Greenhouse gases include methane, nitrous oxide and halocarbons but the mostly commonly referred to greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO2) and it has become the standard measure of greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases are released every time we turn on the light at home, switch on our computer, take a flight or drive the car.

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Carbon Offsetting and neutrality

What does it mean to be carbon neutral?

There is no internationally or domestically agreed upon definition for "Carbon Neutral". However, the general principle is that to have a "Carbon Neutral" product or service means that an activity, a person or a business has no net CO2 emissions for the activities assessed.

How is Intrepid going to become carbon neutral?

Intrepid has developed an extensive project plan which describes the activities and milestones necessary to achieve this goal. We have divided the project into a series of "project streams" which help us isolate our focus on one puzzle piece at a time. We will be publishing more information about the project plan for 2010 and our progress against it in the near future. Stay tuned!

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 e.g. If, for every 1 kg of CO2 emitted during your flight you save another 1 kg from being emitted through your support of programs such as tree planting or sustainable energy initiatives, you have offset your emissions.

Carbon Neutral diagram

Why do companies charge different amounts for offsets?

A tonne of carbon can vary greatly in price due primarily to two reasons: 1) the cost of producing the offset and 2) the assessment boundary and technique used in determining how much greenhouse gas was produced in a specific activity. Projects which are more complex, use expensive or rare technologies require high investment capital or operate in regions with high operating costs result in higher priced offsets. Additionally, some certification standards require extensive administration and scientific work which also raises the cost of the offset. There are infinite other variables including demand and availability.

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Carbon Offset trips

What is a Carbon Offset trip? What has been assessed and offset?

A Carbon Offset trip means that the assessed emissions for each of these trips have been offset through the purchase of carbon credits representing reductions in greenhouse gases of an equivalent volume. If a Carbon Offset Trip emits 1.3 kg of CO2 per passenger per trip, Intrepid purchases and surrenders 1.3 kg worth of carbon credits.

Of course, with so many components potentially emitting greenhouse gases throughout the course of one trip, we had to define a boundary determining what we would assess and subsequently offset. Given the experience with and expert knowledge about the precise activities, locations and transport modes of these trips, we asked our trip leaders to provide us with detailed information regarding the emissions activities of each trip describing the types of accommodation we stayed in, the distances and modes of travel and any other possible carbon-producing activities Intrepid operates as part of the trip. We then sent this data to an independent assessor to determine the carbon emissions associated with each element. We are very proud of the scope of components we have included in our emissions assessment. These include:

  • Transport - all intra-trip travel will be offset. This includes flights included as part of the trip, taxis, tuk tuks, boats, trains and elephants (well maybe not elephants!). As direct emissions from transport makes up the vast majority of the emissions when travelling, offsetting this component is vital!
  • Accommodation - Whether you are staying in hotels, guesthouses, or in a tent, Intrepid has included all accommodation in our offset program. We firstly differentiated our accommodation by type (Hotel, Guesthouse, Homestay, Camping or "other") and then subsequently assessed other details including whether or not there was air conditioning, solar heating, firewood burners, etc.
  • Waste - While we will attempt to reduce waste in all ways possible, recycling is not accessible in all countries we visit. We have therefore, also considered emissions generated through the disposal of paper, plastic and glass bottles, other plastics and food scraps... no lettuce leaf unturned!
  • Activities - Where possible and practical, Intrepid has addressed emissions created through activities whilst on our Carbon Offset trips. We have not assessed activities which Intrepid does not operate.

Are all of Intrepid's trips carbon offset?

No, only 38 of our trips this year include a carbon offset.

Which Intrepid trips are offset?

In 2009, we are introducing our first 38 Carbon Offset trips; these represent a selection of our most popular trips. For a full list refer to the trip list on the left hand side of the page. Our aim is to have all of our 2010 trips assessed and offset. Stay tuned to hear about our progress over the coming year.

How much does the trip offset cost? How much more do I pay?

The offset cost is embedded in the cost of the trip - you have no additional fee to worry about! We have aimed to ensure that the total trip costs are not raised by more than AU$1.50 per day and 70% of them cost less than 50 cents! Even with the offset included, these trips are still competitive ensuring you get both the best price for a fantastic grassroots adventure with a reduced environmental impact.

Can I choose not to pay for the offset?

No, these trips come with the offset embedded into the cost. The offset is as much a part of the trip as any other element included in the trip! Given the average cost of the Carbon Offset trips is less than 50 cents per day, we expect that our travellers will continue to choose these trips and also benefit from the knowledge that their money is being invested into some great projects which not only benefit the environment but communities too.

Is Intrepid also reducing the emissions on its trips?

Absolutely! Now that we have conducted our first set of detailed assessments on these 38 trips, we are now able to begin developing reduction strategies that target areas where we can possibly switch transport type, increase use of public transport or bicycles, use less carbon-intensive accommodation or look to reduce the amount of waste we produce. Most importantly, we will look to work with our providers to help them understand the importance of reducing so that they can not only reduce the emissions of Intrepid trips but the on-going operations of their own businesses.

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Carbon Offset Flights

Why are flights so bad?

Not only do planes release a lot of greenhouse gases, they also release it in the delicate upper atmosphere where its impact is far greater.

Is the carbon offset payment compulsory?

No. All flights sold by Intrepid have a carbon offset cost included in the quote you receive. Climate change is a huge issue and to tackle it we all need to get behind the solutions. We understand that by adding a carbon offset payment to our airfares, you may find slightly cheaper flights/trips elsewhere, but we hope you will join us and choose a greener way to travel; after all, the cost is minimal and the benefits are immense! If you do not want to purchase a Carbon Offset Flight please ask your agent or consultant to "opt out" and we will remove it from your quote.

Why and how is Intrepid carbon offsetting flights?

Aviation is now the fastest growing contributor to greenhouse gases and it's a sad truth that by flying to the destinations we love so much, we're actively contributing to climate change. Not only do planes release a lot of greenhouse gases, they also release it in the delicate upper atmosphere where its impact is far greater. By choosing to book a Carbon Offset Flight from Intrepid you can fly in the knowledge that your flight is offset through Cleaner Climate and you have greatly reduced the impact of your holiday.

How is the carbon offset calculated for flights?

The carbon offset amount is calculated using published scientific data on aircraft emissions. Intrepid currently uses the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) methodology. DEFRA is leading UK Government site which provides emission factors for air transport. Intrepid intends to use Australian emissions factors once they are released. Intrepid also recognizes that flights also emit other damaging greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, not just carbon, and has accounted for this by adding in what is known as a Radiative Forcing Index (RFI) to our calculations.

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Where does my money go?

For Carbon Offset Flights...

There is no silver bullet for stopping unwanted climate change, rather it takes many initiatives and multiple different steps. To date, we have invested in renewable energy, energy efficiency and bio-sequestration projects in Australia and around the world in order to support multiple technologies and a range of communities. Refer to where does my money go (flights) for more information.

For Carbon Offset trips...

Intrepid has sought to acquire a mix of projects across regions that our trips travel to. We have done our best to also acquire a range of technologies such as wind, run-of-river hydro and waste heat recovery. We have ensured that the offsets we purchase are genuine and highly credible. While standards may vary from each other, the standards endorsed by Intrepid Travel demonstrate competency in additionality, verification, permanence, visibility and also co-benefits. Refer to where does my money go (trips) for more information.

Do I get to choose which offset project my money is invested in?

Not now, however we hope that our travellers will see something in our diversified portfolio which they would not only be willing but quite possibly very proud to invest in.

What guarantee do I have that the money is being sent to offset projects and Intrepid is not keeping it?

All the projects to which your funds will be allocated are independently verified to ensure your money is used for abatement projects. A strong auditing framework is essential so that you can be confident that your money is really making a difference. The auditors are selected on the basis that they must demonstrate a high level of experience and recognition, including being active in audit panels for other abatement schemes. As we only purchase offsets which have been accredited under the most stringent offset standards currently available, we are sure that the money is going to the right place. Offset projects are independently verified by organisations such as United Nations Designated Operational Entities, Tuv Sud, the International Standards Organisation accredited verification bodies and the Rainforest Alliance who ensure that the offsets are of the highest quality. Intrepid will work closely with our offset providers to assess our own auditing needs and ensure we are transparent in our carbon reduction and offsetting activities.

Does Intrepid Travel profit from carbon offsetting?

The cost of the carbon offset is factored into the trip price. The trip price you pay, similar to many other travel companies, covers expenses like overheads and agent commissions plus a small contribution to the company's profits. However, any money we make from the offsets on our trips is minimal. Intrepid did not include offsets on our trips to generate additional revenue. It stemmed from our commitment to responsible and sustainable travel and to the future of our planet.

Is the carbon offset payment a tax?

The emissions associated with each trip have been assessed and the corresponding offset required has been embedded in the cost of the trip.

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Intrepid's Business Operations

Has Intrepid assessed its own business operations?

Intrepid has just assessed our own business emissions. We have assessed emissions in all international Intrepid offices in operation before January 2007 and will soon be assessing the remainder this coming year.

Which emissions have you assessed in your business operations?

We assessed emissions including: power, natural gas and other fuels; transport (sales cars, business flights, taxis and any other form of public transport taken in the course of doing business); business accommodation; office paper; waste and recycling. In Australia, we also assessed the paper consumed for our brochures. We are working to improve data quality and will be improving data collection in 2008 and 2009 in advance of 2010. We will continue to use the data collected to refine our reduction strategies. Later this year we will be commencing a detailed lifecycle assessment of our operations to identify and manage other activities not assessed to date. We will be publishing the results of our work and decisions throughout the coming year. We have been increasing our in-house sustainability for many years now and continue to make reductions to our carbon emissions. Offsetting those unavoidable emissions is our next big step, heading us towards carbon neutrality by 2010.

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Standards

What standards do you use to conduct your assessments?

Greenhouse gas emissions generated as a result of stationary energy use, transportation and waste generation and disposal were assessed in accordance with the GHG Protocol (A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard Revised Edition, World Resource Institute & World Business Council for Sustainable Development - 2007). Information relating to energy use and waste generation and disposal rates were based on data provided by Sustainability Victoria and the United Nations Statistics Division. Emission factors were derived from a number of sources including the Department of Climate Change (DCC), Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change and the World Resource Institute.

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What else can I do?

Take up the climate change challenge

Climate change is one of the most urgent problems of our time, so making a personal commitment to reduce your 'carbon footprint' is a big step in the right direction to achieving a healthier environment. Take up the climate change challenge - an easy tip every week.

 
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