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
Project 1
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.
Project 2
Planting Maya Nut Trees in Guatemala (Sept 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 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.