Our new Head of Sustainability

Current IPCC advice tells us that, by 2030, we need to cut global carbon emissions to at least 55% below what they were in 2017 to keep the planet within 1.5 degrees of warming. As a travel company sending customers  around the world, we are fully aware of the responsibility of the tourism industry in climate change.

We have a comprehensive strategy to measure our carbon, reduce our footprint and offset the residual carbon with ClimateCare. This was not a decision taken lightly, and after extensive research we have chosen to offset our residual carbon with a Gold Standard provider. Offsetting alone does not provide the answer to climate change: we need to make changes as a company and an industry, and we will continue to work towards that, but in the meantime we are choosing to offset rather than do nothing.

We have made considerable changes to our head office over the years. While some changes have been gradual, over the last two years we have made great progress: we are now zero-waste-to-landfill, with solar panels on our roof, using renewable energy providers and plant-based cleaning products, and we have undertaken a complete office audit to become carbon neutral. We believe in a circular economy; with a closed paper loop, recycled flooring and an office swap shop.

Being sustainable in our office is more than environmental though: it's holistic. We believe in fair wages, flexible working and a focus on mental health as well as physical. We believe a healthy working environment, where passions are encouraged, enjoyment equals productivity and challenging behaviours, creates new habits, will be the key to our success both in-house and on trips.

It’s a big question, it’s going to be a very busy year! My main focus is split three ways: decarbonisation (company- and industry-wide), communication and our office operations and welfare. I have created bespoke team strategies designed around five of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals which weave through Explore, through each team and across all of our agents, leaders and trips. It’s certainly a challenge, but I thrive on that!

Have any questions, or even a few ideas? Why not contact Prue on sustainability@explore.co.uk