Carbon Offsetting on flights
It is estimated that air travel contributes to 3% of all carbon emissions. Although this is a comparatively small percentage, it is essential we make the effort to help combat air pollution, and consequent climate change.
As such we offer clients booking transatlantic flights the opportunity to offset their flights by making a voluntary contribution to the Tourism Industry Carbon Offset Scheme (TICOS). TICOS is a carbon offsetting scheme directly set up for the tourism industry. All funds collected under TICOS are invested in projects which aim to reduce carbon emissions, as well as help alleviate poverty in developing countries.
By contributing the offset fee clients are helping invest in alternative energies, reforestation and to bring some of the world's poorest people out of poverty. Journey Latin America offsets all staff travel to Latin America.
We started working with TICOS in September 2007. Since then we have successfully funded and completed a project in Panama, and we are now collecting funds for our second project in Guatemala.
Project 1
Implementing solar panels in Panama
September 2007 – September 2009
Between September 2007 and September 2009 Journey Latin America collected £69,707.80 for the TICOS project which installs solar panels in rural schools and public buildings in the remote Kuna Yala communities in Panama. The funds went towards replacing diesel generators with solar panels in schools, village centres and health centres. The benefits of this project were immense. Not only do the panels reduce air and land pollution, but the communities also benefit from the opportunity to attend evening classes, health centres can open at night and more members of the community can attend meetings and social gatherings after their days work.
Read more about the project and our visit to the communities after the solar panels were up and running.
Project 2
Planting Maya Nut Trees in Guatemala
September 2009 – present
Since September 2009 we have been collecting offsetting funds for the Maya Nut Tree project in the Guatemalan rainforest area of El Petén. The initiative has been successful in other parts of Central America, and is gradually being rolled out throughout the region.
Why Maya Nut trees? Well, aside from their excellent carbon dioxide retention properties (it is estimated that each tree sequesters around 1 tonne of CO2 over the course of 40 years), the Maya Nut Tree offers a huge number of other benefits for the local community. The nuts produced by the tree are a highly-nutritious source of food and medicine, which provides security for local people. Since the plantations are looked after by local schools, there are also many educational benefits in teaching students about the protection of the rainforest. Aside from this, Mayan Nut Trees also provide a habitat for wildlife.
The project has enjoyed great success so far; the physical work began at the start of 2010 and 2,566 Trees were planted in San Andres, Petén – where the plantation is looked after by a local school. So far in 2011, 1,414 more trees have been planted and at the time of our last update in May, 605 new trees were due to be planted in Purushilá, Peten.
Further updates will follow as we receive them, but in the meantime we would like to say a big thank you to you - our clients - for all your generous donations.
For more information about TICOS, the project criteria and our chosen projects please visit www.ticos.co.uk
Our carbon footprint
At Journey Latin America we make every effort to reduce 'our carbon footprint', which includes minimising our energy supplies. Our offices are fitted with energy saving light bulbs, air conditioning and heating are kept to a minimum and all departments are fitted with energy monitors to track the usage of energy and set reduction targets.
Other efforts to reduce our carbon emissions include encouraging staff to bicycle or walk to work, for which we are currently recognised by Transport for London and in July 2008 were shortlisted for the 'Smarter Traveller' award. The company participates in a cycle to work scheme and this has seen a dramatic increase in the numbers of cyclists! In the recent Cycle to Work challenge Journey Latin America came 8th in our category, based on the number of cyclists and miles cycled. Approximately 50% of staff now walk or cycle to work. In January 2010 our cycling to work scheme was picked up by the local press, read the full story here.