At Choose a Challenge, we hold steadfast beliefs in the causes we support and the destinations we facilitate for our participants. We are committed to ensuring that all travel experiences are not only meaningful but also sustainable. As a tour operator specialising in adventure travel to long-haul destinations, we acknowledge our responsibility in combating climate change.
A significant portion of the trips we organise involves air travel, and even ground-based arrangements result in emissions from fossil fuels.
What is GHG Emission Management
Our company policy is firmly aimed at achieving complete carbon neutrality, whereby the net greenhouse gas emissions from all three scopes amount to zero. However, given our limited control over the reduction of scope 3 emissions and the extended timelines associated with developing non-fossil fuel alternatives for aircraft, we recognise that the most effective approach for us to pursue carbon neutrality is through compensating for emissions that are challenging to mitigate.
As a small company operating in a highly competitive and price-sensitive market, it's important to acknowledge that including greenhouse gas offsets in our standard pricing would be unrealistic.
Here's a breakdown of the scope emission definitions as outlined by the Carbon Literacy Project:
Scope 1: Direct emissions stemming from sources owned by Choose a Challenge. For instance, if we were to own our vehicles or generators.
Scope 2: Emissions resulting from the energy we purchase and consume, such as office heating, water usage, and office lighting.
Scope 3: Emissions that arise as a consequence of our activities across the supply chain, including air travel, staff travel, accommodation provided, or waste disposal.
OUR APPROACH
Our approach at Choose a Challenge entails offsetting all Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by procuring and retiring high-integrity verified carbon credits from nature-based projects, such as REDD+ and ARR. We prioritise the acquisition of nature-based credits, ideally seeking those externally verified with exceptional community and biodiversity co-benefits, such as those accredited by the CCB Standard under VCS. Presently, we collaborate with WeForest for this purpose.
We offer all our participants the option to cover the cost of purchasing and retiring high-integrity verified carbon credits equivalent to the total GHG emissions resulting from their selected package. Participants will have access to view the total emissions calculated for their trip, ensuring transparency and enabling them to ensure a carbon-neutral journey.
We believe that this policy represents a transparent approach toward achieving complete carbon neutrality. Furthermore, we recognise our responsibility to educate customers and partners about carbon neutrality. While we acknowledge that we may not have all the answers, we actively encourage feedback to continually improve and collectively contribute to aligning with IPCC targets for addressing changing average climatic conditions.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Upon completion of a course with the Carbon Literacy Project, we utilise a GHG calculation method to determine emissions across all facets of our office's daily operations, the packages we offer, and their associated supply chains. We maintain close collaboration with our supplier chain to minimise emissions and prioritise sustainable choices whenever feasible, all while ensuring financial viability for a small tour operator.
Following the calculation, we obtain a total emissions figure, which we then categorise into the three scopes. We take responsibility for all Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions to initiate decarbonisation efforts, while Scope 3 emissions are made available for our customers to optionally decarbonise.
Subsequently, we partner with an NGO to retire carbon credits, currently collaborating with WeForest. Through this partnership, your contributions toward decarbonising your trip support a a habitat restoration project in Zambia. Here, WeForest collaborates with numerous small-scale farmers to plant trees, thus sequestering the carbon emissions produced by your journey.
Moreover, this project aids the local community by providing farmers with training and tools to diversify their income sources while they engage in tree planting and forest protection activities. Consequently, they achieve higher incomes, diversify economic activities, and acquire new skills, fostering self-sufficiency among local farmers.
Looking ahead, we establish targets to reduce emissions and maintain standards throughout our supply chain, aligning with IPCC standards as outlined in the Paris Agreement.
Still have questions?
If you still have questions about our sustainability and ethical policies and practices, please feel free to get in touch with our team via email at hello@chooseachallenge.com
