Explore Worldwide claims it has become the first adventure tour operator to offer customers the opportunity to buy sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) when they book a holiday.
The operator will offer travellers, including those who have not made a booking through it, the opportunity to purchase SAF in quantities of £20, which covers enough SAF to reduce CO2e emissions by 42kg.
People can purchase SAF, which Explore Worldwide is buying from producer Neste, by completing a form on its website.
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Michael Edwards, Explore Worldwide managing director, said “Fundamentally there is no silver bullet for the climate crisis, but there are potential technologies and solutions, like SAF and carbon removal schemes, that cannot be developed and tested without funding.
“As part of Explore Worldwide’s sustainability strategy, we’re committed to funding solutions of the future, and we believe that sustainable aviation fuel could be one of these solutions.
“We want to try new things, find out what works best for us and our customers – increase conversation, find out what demand is there. The only way we can make a difference is by jumping in feet first. Change happens one step at a time – the only way we can prove this is by taking that first step.”
Edwards added Explore Worldwide’s move was inspired by research that suggests customers are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious.
Explore carried out a survey in conjunction with market research firm Opinion Matters in which half of the 2,000 respondents said they want to reduce the environmental impact of their travel, and 65% agreed the travel industry needs to work collaboratively to tackle climate change.
SAF can reduce CO2 emissions by 80% over its lifecycle compared to traditional jet fuel, according to research, but only accounts for approximately 0.1% of all jet fuel used worldwide.