Intrepid Travel to Become ‘Climate Positive’ by 2020

22 April 2019
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The Intrepid Foundation to raise $350k AUD for a seaweed solution to climate change, matching all donations dollar-for-dollar

The carbon-neutral travel company aims to be the first travel company to become climate positive, donating 40% of profits from its family trips to preserve the planet for the next generation of travelers

To coincide with Earth Day, Intrepid Travel – the world’s largest adventure travel company – has revealed its aim to become climate positive by 2020.

This means the carbon-neutral tour operator will not just be offsetting its carbon emissions, but actually creating an environmental benefit by removing additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Intrepid is taking the first step towards that goal with the launch of a campaign through its not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, that will raise $350,000 AUD for an innovative new seaweed solution.

Joining forces with the Climate Foundation, a U.S.-based non-profit, and the University of Tasmania, The Intrepid Foundation is crowdfunding for a new marine permaculture initiative that will regenerate marine ecosystems in Tasmania and sequester carbon from the atmosphere.

All donations made to the project through The Intrepid Foundation will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

“The global climate crisis is escalating, but ignoring the problem isn’t going to make it go away; we need to act now. The good news is that there are solutions,” said Darrell Wade, co-founder of Intrepid Travel.

Intrepid has been a carbon-neutral company since 2010, purchasing carbon credits associated with a range of renewable energy projects such as a wind power project in India, a rainforest restoration initiative in Borneo and a forest protection project in Malawi.

By focusing on reductions, restoration, regeneration, and offsetting emissions beyond its value chain, Intrepid is now working to become the first global travel company to become climate positive.

“Climate action has to be a priority for anyone who loves travel. We believe that we have a responsibility to make a positive difference and help to preserve the planet for the next generation of travelers,” said Wade.

Dr. Brian von Herzen, Executive Director of the Climate Foundation, added: “Marine permaculture enables us to regenerate kelp forests that have been lost to climate disruption. These projects not only draw down carbon dioxide, they help to ensure marine biodiversity for generations to come.”

Inspired by children around the world striking for climate action and the visionary new documentary, 2040, Intrepid Travel will also donate to the project 40% of all profits from its family tours booked between Earth Day and the end of June 2019.

From tiger spotting in India’s Ranthambore National Park to trekking Costa Rica’s active volcanoes, these family trips showcase Earth’s finest to our next generation of travelers who will go on to change the world.

For more information, visit here.

Some of the technologies to fight climate change are explored in a new documentary 2040, to be released in North America later this year. The film looks at what the future could look like if we adopted the best regenerative climate solutions already available to us, including marine permaculture. As part of its commitment to climate change solutions, The Intrepid Foundation supported the film with a $100,000 AUD donation. For more information, visit here.

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