Carbon Offset

Carbon Offset Program

At Jaguarundi Travel, we recognize that travel has an impact on the planet. That is why we have partnered with Sustainable Travel International to make all our tours carbon-friendly. Along with reducing our carbon footprint, our carbon offset program funds essential projects that advance global climate action.

How we make our tours carbon friendly?

We purchase carbon offsets from Sustainable Travel International for every traveller who travels with us to offset a portion of their tour. The dollars we invest are distributed across a portfolio of verified climate projects.
These projects fight climate change by removing greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere or avoiding emissions that would otherwise happen. Keep reading to learn about the different types of climate projects that we support.
We invite you to consider purchasing additional carbon offsets, and together, mitigate the climate impact of your travels while giving back to nature and communities.

Benefits for Nature and Communities

Jaguarundi Travel Carbon Offset Program

What types of projects does our carbon offset program support?

Through our partnership with Sustainable Travel International, we support three types of carbon offset projects that actively fight climate change in a number of ways.

Forestry Projects: Trees absorb carbon as they grow and store it in their biomass. When forests are destroyed, the carbon they are storing is released into the air. Forestry carbon offset projects prevent existing forests from being lost and restore degraded forest areas.

Energy Projects: Energy carbon offset projects reduce reliance on climate-warming fossil fuels. These projects may generate clean energy, such as wind or solar power, convert waste into energy, or reduce fuel needs through the distribution of energy efficient devices.

Blue Carbon Projects: Certain coastal ecosystems, like peat swamps and mangrove forests, act as massive carbon sinks. Blue carbon projects conserve these ecosystems which also play an important role in protecting coastal communities from the impacts of climate change.

Learn more about the projects we support through the Sustainable Travel International Climate Impact Portfolio.

How do you know these projects are really making a difference?

Sustainable Travel International carefully vets every project in its portfolio via a rigorous due diligence process to ensure the emissions reductions are verified and credible. On top of this, Sustainable Travel International seeks out projects that create added benefits beyond CO2 reductions and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For instance, projects may create local jobs and livelihood opportunities, strengthen indigenous land rights, improve hygiene and sanitation, or protect endangered species.

More information about Sustainable Travel International’s quality assurance protocol can be found here.

Why is it important to offset carbon?

Climate change poses a severe threat to destinations, communities, and natural assets that tourism depends on. Tropical storms are devastating coastal areas, warming water temperatures are bleaching coral reefs, and decreased snowfall is shortening winter ski seasons.

At the same time, travel and tourism contribute to global climate change. As a whole, the industry is responsible for around 8% of the world’s carbon emissions. You can learn more about tourism’s carbon footprint here.

While we are taking measures to reduce the carbon footprint of our tours, certain emissions remain unavoidable. Carbon offsetting is an extra step that we can take to compensate for those emissions that we currently cannot reduce.

Offsetting carbon is about much more than balancing out emissions. Halting climate change will require massive investment in natural and technological solutions. Carbon offsets allow us to channel much-needed funds to essential climate solutions that are accelerating the net zero transition by restoring the earth’s natural ability to store carbon, addressing drivers of ecosystem loss, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Carbon Offset Projects making a difference

How can you reduce your carbon footprint?

You too can take action to cut down your travel emissions and leave behind a positive impact on the planet. These tips from Sustainable Travel International will help you get started.

Climate Friendly Travel Tips

Consider low carbon modes of transportation
Take a train or bus for trips close to home. To get around your destination, use public transit, walk, scooter, or bike. To make this easier, book a hotel near public transit routes. If you need a car, rent an electric or compact vehicle.

Book lower emissions flights
Book non-stop flights in economy class and choose airlines that prioritize fuel efficient planes, sustainable fuel, and waste reduction such as recycling, to reduce the impact of each flight.

Stay at eco-friendly hotels
Choose a hotel that is reducing its footprint through measures such as energy-efficient appliances, renewable energy, automatic temperature control, local sourcing, and recycling or composting. Or opt for more basic lodgings which typically have lower emissions.

Eat more sustainably
Reduce your foodprint by ordering only what you can eat, avoiding buffets, dining at restaurants
that source their ingredients locally, and consume more plant-based dishes.

Slow down and stay awhile
Minimize transportation (and stress!) by spending more time at one destination rather than
hopping from one location to another. Also, consider taking one longer vacation rather than multiple shorter trips.

Minimize electricity consumption
Decline daily housekeeping services. When not in your hotel room, turn down the AC/heat and turn off lights and electronics. Close the curtains to keep the room from heating up in the sun or getting cold at night. Also, do this at home before departing.

Reduce single-use items
Bring reusable items such as toiletries, water bottles, shopping bags, and coffee cups from
home to reduce the need for disposable items. When shopping, choose high-quality travel
products and practical, locally-produced souvenirs that will not end up in the trash.

Recycle and compost your waste
Utilize recycling and compost bins in airports, hotels, and while sightseeing to properly dispose of waste. Be sure to read any posted signage and sort your trash accordingly.

Choose low-impact activities
When deciding how to explore your destination, choose walking and cycling tours, hiking, kayaking, or non-motorized snorkelling and diving excursions. If booking a tour, look for an eco-friendly operator that uses low-emission transport and has eliminated single-use plastics.

Offset your carbon footprint
All trips have a carbon footprint. Purchasing carbon offsets allows you to compensate for
unavoidable emissions while supporting impactful climate projects around the world.