Our Climate-Biodiversity Action Plan

Rainforest Cruises was founded on the premise that sustainable tourism could be a positive force for change in rural areas with delicate ecosystems, such as tropical rainforest, and for over a decade has been working hard to minimize our environmental footprint and promote an ambassadorial mindset in our clientele to better preserve our planet’s biodiversity in perpetuity.

Sadly it’s no secret that the global travel industry produces a significant amount of environmentally harmful carbon dioxide. That’s why, in February of 2022, Rainforest Cruises signed the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism to show our commitment to developing a climate action plan to halve our carbon footprint by 2030, and reach Net Zero as soon as possible before 2050.

Our climate-biodiversity action plan follows the Declaration’s 5 key pathways: Measure, Decarbonize, Regenerate, Collaborate, and Finance:

1. MEASURE

To understand the total amount of carbon dioxide we produce and how much different areas of our business generate, we will measure our emissions from three different perspectives, or scopes:

Scope 1 – What we “burn”: how much CO₂ our assets produce (our boats, for example)
Scope 2 – What we “buy”: the amount of emissions generated from the electricity needed to power our offices
Scope 3 – Everything “beyond” scopes 1 and 2, including the CO₂ produced by our trips, staff travel, employee commuting, and more

• Use Sustainable Travel International’s carbon calculator to generate a trip-by-trip carbon footprint analysis
• Publish our calculation methodologies for full transparency and report annually on our progress
• Revisit and revise our carbon measurement tools and methodologies every 5 years to provide greater accuracy and ensure we stay up to date with the latest technologies and guidelines

2. DECARBONIZE

To accelerate tourism’s decarbonisation we shall not only offset the carbon emissions of our operations, but achieve real reductions through various initiatives to reduce the CO₂ we produce.

• Use video conferencing for meetings and conferences, and promote a culture of remote working to limit business-related travel
• Increase the use of renewable energy sources in our offices and reduce energy consumption through the use of more energy efficient appliances
• Tackle plastic pollution through a circular approach to the management of plastic items and packaging and use of reusable bottles, as per our Travelers Against Plastic pledge

3. REGENERATE

Our commitment involves more than just reducing our emissions. Another key focus is restoring and protecting ecosystems, safeguarding biodiversity, supporting local communities, and promoting sustainable tourism practices.

• Partner with the Rainforest Trust, a US-based nonprofit environmental organization focused on the purchase and protection of tropical lands through local partnerships and community engagement to strategically conserve threatened species
• Support Sustainable Travel International’s Climate Impact Portfolio of high-quality forestry, energy, blue/teal carbon, and innovative climate tech projects worldwide
• Engage our customers in greater connection with nature through our tours, and encourage them to Pack for a Purpose and bring much needed school supplies in their luggage to help make a lasting impact to the local communities in the Peruvian Amazon and Cambodia

4. COLLABORATE

As with any successful project, it’s critical to work together to ensure any plans are as effective and co-ordinated as possible. Climate action is no different and must involve a team effort, with everyone from governments, suppliers, and operators, to agencies, local communities, and travelers pulling together in the same direction.

• Increase awareness and communication among travelers on sustainable travel best practices and the climate impact of their choice of tour by providing comparable carbon emissions data and highlighting the sustainability efforts and climate action initiatives of their operators and featured accommodations
• Facilitate travelers in contributing to climate-biodiversity action by providing easy ways to offset their flights and donate to related conservation charities in their destinations
• Work with our suppliers to develop a wider range of greener tour options and longer, more immersive adventures designed to encourage customers to fly less, stay for longer, and give back more to local communities and economies

We’re also open to working with industry partners and other travel companies to address these climate challenges together.

5. FINANCE

To meet the objectives set out in our climate plan, it’s important we provide the necessary funding for the pathways above. Here’s just a few ways we’re investing in the health of our planet.

• Invest in web and app development to store the necessary data required for accurate emission calculations and increase the visibility the carbon footprints of trips to encourage greener travel choices
• Offset 100% of our carbon emissions with Sustainable Travel International’s Climate Impact Portfolio which supports high-quality forestry, energy, blue/teal carbon, and innovative climate tech projects worldwide
• Commit a percentage of our profits to the Rainforest Trust’s Climate Action Fund and other urgent projects to help protect important keystone species from extinction and protect current carbon stocks