TICOS
Journey Latin America supports the carbon offsetting scheme 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.
The Journey Latin America TICOS projects
Kuna Yala, Panama (Sept 2007 - Sept 2009)
Since September 2007 Journey Latin America has been supporting the TICOS project which installs solar panels in rural schools and public buildings in the remote Kuna Yala communities in Panama. The funding goes towards replacing diesel generators with solar panels in schools, village centres and health centres. The benefits are immense. Not only do the panels reduce air and land pollution, but the communities also benefit from the opportunity to attend evening education classes, health centres can open at night and more members of the community can attend meetings and social gatherings after their days work.
2008 - research undertaken.
January 2009 - the solar panels were bought and transported to the communities.
January - September 2009 - solar panels were implemented in 13 Kuna Yala communities and members of each community were trained to maintain and service the panels themselves.
Through staff and clients offsetting their flights to Latin America, Journey Latin America collected £64,467.80 for this project. This amount far exceeded our expectations and that of the project coordinators. Thank you for your support.
In August 2009, tour leader Veronica Lampon visited several of the communities which had received the solar panels. After meeting with the chiefs and other community members, it was clear how the solar panels have changed their lives. From the moment the panels arrived in January 2009, the whole community got involved and embraced the scheme. The extended hours of light have brought great change, there are now even evening classes in tourism, taught by teachers from the university in Panama City.
The Maya Nut Tree Project, El Petén, Guatemala (Sept 2009 - present)
In September 2009 we adopted a new TICOS project - the Maya Nut Tree project in the Guatemalan rainforest of El Petén. The project has been successful in other parts of Central America, and as such the project is being rolled out throughout the region. Journey Latin America is responsible for planting the Maya Nut Trees in one specific plantation - we hope to meet our goal in the same 2 year frame in which we achieved the target in Panama.
The Maya Nut Tree offers a huge number of benefits including food security, food habitat for wildlife, nutritional + medicinal benefits and sequestration through absorbing carbon dioxide (estimated 1 tonne over 40 years) and protection of the rainforest through education.
Please refer back to our website over the forthcoming months to monitor how we progress, and to see how the local communities start to benefit from the plantation, solely funded by carbon offset contributions from our clients and staff.
For more information about TICOS and our chosen project please visit www.ticos.co.uk
Journey Latin America's 'Carbon Footprint'
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.
We believe that TICOS is an excellent scheme for offsetting flight emissions, especially as the benefits from the money raised go directly towards investments in alternative energies, and help bring some of the world's poorest people out of poverty. Journey Latin America offsets all staff travel to Latin America.
At Journey Latin America we make every effort to reduce 'our carbon footprint', which includes consciously minimising our energy supplies. In addition to using energy saving light bulbs and minimal use of air conditioning.
All our brochures are produced on 50% recycled paper and 50% well managed forests. The pulp has been bleached using an Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) process, the print uses vegetabe based inks and our printers have the highest environmental accreditation.
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. All our paper and unused brochures are recycled, and we are taking part in Hounslow Council's trials for recycling more office waste.