Carbon Neutral Travel Company

Ecoventura, an adventure tourism company in the Galapagos Islands, has announced today that it has achieved CarbonNeutral status. It is the first travel company in the Galapagos Islands and South America to do so. Working with The CarbonNeutral Company, it has tackled its climate change impact to achieve CarbonNeutral status by
measuring its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, reducing them where possible and then neutralizing or offsetting the remaining unavoidable emissions.

The total emissions or "carbon footprint" for Ecoventura has been calculated by measuring the CO2 equivalent emissions from its company vehicles, offices, business travel and waste produced. Over ninety six percent of all carbon emissions generated are from its vehicles, predominantly from its fleet of yachts.

The unavoidable emissions generated by Ecoventura have been offset through a mixture of three climate friendly projects that will save or absorb 1 tonne of CO2 around the world for every tonne that Ecoventura creates. These projects are a renewable solar lighting project in India and Sri Lanka, a methane storage project in the US and a sustainable forestry project in Chiapas, Mexico. The methane storage project has the benefit of immediately reducing emissions by stopping the release of methane into the atmosphere and Ecoventura is one of the first companies to support it. The company will also provide its clients with a CarbonNeutral travel calculator that will enable them to measure and offset their own CO2 emissions.

Via its fleet of yachts, Ecoventura's adventure holidays provide an interactive and educational experience around the full Galapagos archipelago, an area of rich biodiversity. Passengers are able to enjoy activities such as birdwatching, scuba diving, nature walks, marine biology as well as take part in certified lectures.

The company is committed to preserving the ecological integrity of the Galapagos Islands for both their scientific value and economic benefits. It possesses SmartVoyager, a voluntary environmental certification developed by the Rainforest Alliance and Corporacion y Desarollo from Ecuador.

This programme gives a "green seal of approval" to tour boats that comply with requirements to tread lightly on the area's fragile ecosystem. In addition to this Ecoventura's President, Santiago Dunn, has received the prestigious Individual Sustainable Standard-Setter for making a significant contribution to environmental conservation and sustainability in the region.

Ecoventura's clients are also encouraged to donate to a new fund administered by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in support of the Galapagos National Park. This fund called the Galapagos Marine Biodiversity Fund (GMBF) targets environmental education and marine conservation by strengthening local communities' ability to manage natural resources.

Santiago Dunn, President of Ecoventura comments: "We are delighted to have achieved CarbonNeutral status. Our clients can be assured that we are playing our part in the battle against climate change and global warming, offering environmentally friendly holidays that minimize the environmental impact of all our operations."

Jonathan Shopley, CEO of The CarbonNeutral Company adds: "Climate change and environmental impacts need to be a top priority for companies operating in travel and tourism as this sector, especially transport and aviation, is becoming an increasingly large contributor to global CO2 emissions. If this sector is to develop is a sustainable fashion, protect the areas and environments that are key to its business and deliver the level of service that consumers are increasingly demanding more companies need to take leadership positions on the issue as Ecoventura has done and show that positive actions on climate change can help to deliver commercial benefits."

Ronald Sanabria, Sustainable Tourism Director for the Rainforest Alliance comments, "Ecoventura has demonstrated its commitment to the conservation of natural resources and social well-being in Ecuador. Its proactive stance has been a source of inspiration for conservation organizations that believe in the development of sustainable tourism. Only with the private sector's demonstrable commitment can we make sure that future generations will enjoy the attractions we have today. Ecoventura has shown that this is possible."

7 July 2006