10 of the best travel companies committed to climate action, The Guardian
These holiday firms walk the talk when it comes to minimising their carbon footprints and promoting biodiversity.
Highlands tours finance tree-planting and rural projects
Rather than batting the carbon problem back to customers, Scottish minibus tour operator Rabbie’s taxes itself £10 for every tonne of carbon its trips produce. Since 2008, this has raised £120,000 for community and environmental projects, voted for by the team. Projects include the Staffin Community Trust, a charity improving economic prospects for the Gaelic heartlands of Skye; Rabbie’s team has provided hands-on and financial help to build walking paths and plant trees. Rabbie’s prides itself on meeting the balance between the carbon efficiency of coach travel but the nimbleness of self-drive – accessing rural communities that need income from tourism. An extensive environmental and leave-no-trace policy includes modern fuel-efficient vehicles, litter-picking along the way, and washing minibuses where runoff is controlled.
Rabbie’s five-day Highland Explorer travels through Skye and the far north of Scotland from £249 per person; rabbies.com
Walking in the Apennines, Italy
Rewilding Apennines removes barbed wire to create wildlife corridors.
As part of its growing offering of nature-based experiences close to home, Exodus has launched a new walking tour to see conservation in action with rewilding expert Mario Cipollini in the Italian Apennines. The trip is a manifestation of Exodus’s climate plan, Planet Promise, which includes a partnership with Rewilding Europe and a goal to be nature net positive by 2024. For every customer that books a trip with Exodus (regardless of destination), 100 sq metres of Italian Apennines land will be rewilded. The plan also aims to slash carbon emissions in half by 2030 by increasing train travel, closer to home trips, and plant-based food options.
The six-day Rewilding the Apennines tour costs from £2,099 per person; exodus.co.uk
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