More than 500 holidays featured accommodation powered by renewable energy have been introduced by trade sustainability pioneer Responsible Travel.
The ‘renewably powered’ holidays are detailed as the company released its first impact update, showing a 3.2% drop in CO2 per passenger per day over the previous 12 months.
The update by the company founded almost 25 years ago highlights different trips ranging from rewinding and flight-free to holidays that benefit indigenous people.
More than 860 holidays in a new collection of trips are run by female entrepreneurs.
Founder and executive chair Justin Francis said ahead of World Tourism Day on September 27: “We’re seeing successes; we’ve also identified some major stumbling blocks – it’s important to share both.
“The greatest challenge is real carbon reduction. We don’t book flights, and we don’t offset. But we advise travellers to fly less and continue to advocate for aviation system change.
“And we’re working hard with our supply chain to identify and support emission reductions in other areas, including through renewable powered stays and lower carbon food options.”
He added: “There’s a long way to go, but there’s also a lot to be positive about. Responsible tourism generates conservation funding, jobs and income for the least advantaged communities. Its potential for creating positive change – supporting a fairer transition to a nature positive, low carbon future – is enormous.
“Many of our trips benefit places that are of huge significance for biodiversity and carbon sequestration. The work we’ve begun this year is exciting and we’re already seeing some good progress. And the process itself – involving our staff team, our partners and customers – feels like a good approach for effecting positive change alongside our existing work.”