Carbon neutral travel: Why this needs to be an ambition for all of us

The tourism industry keeps growing as more people want to get out there and enjoy what the world has to offer. However, with this growth comes an increased contribution to carbon emissions. With climate change and global heating now a serious and imminent threat to the wellbeing of our planet and many of its species, we all need to think urgently about changes we can make to our lifestyles in order to combat these effects.

But how can you still enjoy fulfilling travel experiences without causing further damage to the environment? Responsible tourism initiatives are essential when it comes to offsetting carbon emissions and preserving the natural wonders of our planet for future generations. Here are some of the steps Melbourne Private Tours is taking to provide carbon neutral travel, making us the ideal choice for responsible travelling in Australia.

Why responsible tourism measures are urgently needed

Travel is one of the most exciting and educational experiences any of us can have. More and more people now want to explore different countries and cultures, enjoying authentic experiences that give us a real taste of life in different places. But all too often, this has a negative effect on the destinations and environments we love to visit.

Research shows that the travel and tourism industry is now responsible for eight percent of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. This figure is predicted to grow due to the falling prices of international flights and the growing number of people from wealthier countries choosing to travel abroad.

The increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are the primary cause of climate change, which is having a wide variety of negative effects on the natural environment. Ice caps are melting and sea levels are rising, and the natural habitats of many species of wildlife are rapidly being destroyed.

Of course, people are not going to stop travelling as it is such a life-changing and enriching experience. But we need to find ways to prevent the damage it can cause. This is why responsible tourism measures need to be put in place, so we can offset the carbon emissions caused by travelling. Carbon neutral travel should be an ambition for all of us so that we can still enjoy unforgettable adventures without causing any harm to the places we visit.

How MPT is contributing to sustainable tourism in Australia

Sustainable tourism in Australia is now a big concern. More and more travel companies are taking corporate social responsibility seriously and they’re finding ways to improve their green credentials. This is something that is increasingly important to travellers, and consumers now choose travel companies that are able to prove they are making an effort to protect the environment.

At MPT, we are dedicated to responsible tourism and carbon offset. We ensure our tours meet the requirements of responsible travelling, including:

• Caring for the environment and animal conservation
• Recognising and respecting our indigenous peoples and their traditions and cultures
• Boosting the local economies of the places we visit by supporting local people and businesses
• Giving something back through partnering with sustainable travel initiatives

This is something we are absolutely passionate about, which is why we are delighted to be working with Greenfleet to offset the carbon emissions of the tours we provide.

What is Greenfleet and how does it work?

Greenfleet is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to carbon offset and caring for the environment. It does this through restoring forests – planting and replanting trees at numerous locations throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Greenfleet was the first program of its kind, established in 1997 when it planted its first trees in Victoria. Within four years, the organisation had planted a million trees, and Greenfleet became the first reforestation project to be awarded Australian carbon credit units (ACCUs).

Reforestation is vital if we want to protect our planet from climate change. Many native forests throughout the world have been destroyed by industry, and this destruction is continuing at a rapid rate. This has to be reversed as forests are essential for keeping climate change under control. Trees capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, so when forests are planted, they collectively capture millions of tonnes of carbon.

Forests also perform a number of other important functions: they provide essential habitats for native wildlife, conserve biodiversity, and improve the quality of water and soil, as well as the air we breathe.

Today, Greenfleet has created 500 forests, planting in excess of 9.2 million trees. This provides a carbon offset of 3.2 million tonnes, creating essential environmental benefits and taking us one step further toward carbon neutral travel. This is why we at MPT are so proud to be working with this innovative and hugely worthwhile organisation.

Do travellers need to make a donation when booking with MPT?

As part of our corporate social responsibility, we offset the environmental costs of our tours through our own work with Greenfleet. This means when you book a tour with MPT, you can do so with complete peace of mind as your tour will be carbon neutral – trees are being planted right now to offset any environmental damage caused by our operations.

However, individuals and businesses are welcome to donate to Greenfleet to ensure they can continue their excellent work in reforestation and help to preserve the future of our planet. If you are as passionate about responsible travelling as we are, you can consider making an extra contribution to the organisation. By doing this, you can offset the environmental costs of your entire holiday rather than just the trips you take with MPT.

Making a donation is easy on Greenfleet’s website, and you can ensure that your contribution will go to the country where you are making the carbon footprint.

We all need to become more aware of initiatives like this if we want to promote responsible tourism and offset the carbon emissions caused by the travel industry worldwide.