Intrepid declares climate emergency

FEBRUARY 2020

The world’s largest adventure travel company has declared a climate emergency and committed to a seven-point climate plan, among other actions.

Intrepid’s decision to declare a climate emergency means we acknowledge the science that states we have one decade to address the climate crisis.

We operate in more than 120 countries and all seven continents, and we’re seeing the effects that climate change is having all around the world. We simply had to stand up and take urgent action. 

As such, we’re founding members of Tourism Declares, a new industry collective of travel businesses, organisations and individuals who are committed to taking positive action on climate change. Members have committed to rethinking their businesses in the context of a climate emergency. This includes an ongoing commitment to carbon neutrality and transparent reporting on our progress.

Our actions include our seven-point climate commitment.

“A healthy planet means a healthy industry,” says James Thornton, Intrepid Group CEO. “The devastating bushfires in Australia and other climate-related events around the globe are a stark reminder of the climate emergency facing us all,” he adds. 

A history of climate actions

Declaring a climate emergency is the latest in a long series of climate action commitments by Intrepid, the world’s largest certified travel B Corp, which has been carbon neutral since 2010.

“We truly believe travel is a force for good – we hope that by us declaring a climate emergency many more travel and tourism businesses will rally to the cause. We don’t have all the answers but nevertheless, we must act on the science available to us,” says Thornton.

“Just like our Co-founder Darrel Wade experienced an existential crisis in 2010 and became one of the first Australians to complete former US Vice President Al Gores’ The Climate Reality Project training, now – with a new decade upon us and ever-growing climate emergency – is the moment for us to accelerate our action on climate change,” he continues.

More carbon commitments 

Other climate actions we've taken include:

• Becoming climate positive in 2020 by offsetting more carbon than we emit through our trips and operations.

• Offsetting all trips on behalf of each traveller and committing to reduce emissions across our itineraries.

• Setting a goal to transition to 100% renewable energy – in our offices by 2025, and on our trips by 2030. 

• Double offsetting polar expeditions and funding $100k for Antarctic climate change research. 

• Funding research in partnership with the documentary 2040 and The Climate Foundation into Australia’s first marine permaculture program: a seaweed farm off the coast of Tasmania.