Intrepid Travel aims to be the first “climate positive” travel company

Intrepid Travel aims to be the first travel company to become climate positive by 2020.

To be climate positive is to be carbon negative, which means that activity goes beyond achieving net zero carbon emissions to actually create an environmental benefit by removing additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Intrepid prided itself as a carbon-neutral company since 2010, buying carbon credits associated with renewable energy projects – such as a wind power scheme in India and a rainforest restoration initiative in Borneo.

Its non-profit arm, Intrepid Foundation, aims to raise AUD 350,000 (USD 250,000) to fund a seaweed project that will tackle climate change. The Intrepid Foundation helps travellers give back to the places they visit. It supports life-changing projects that make places better to travel to and live in.

Along with the Climate Foundation and the University of Tasmania, the Intrepid Foundation is crowdfunding for a new marine permaculture initiative that will regenerate marine ecosystems in Tasmania and draw down carbon from the atmosphere.

All donations made to the project through the Intrepid Foundation will be matched dollar for dollar.

Darrell Wade, co-founder of Intrepid Travel, said: “Climate action has to be a priority for anyone who loves travel. We believe that we have a responsibility to make a positive difference and help to preserve the planet for the next generation of travellers.”

Intrepid Travel will also donate to the project 40% of all profits from family holidays booked between Earth Day and the end of June 2019.