B&R’s trips are carbon neutral. Here’s what that means for our travellers

Starting with our 2023 season, every B&amp;R trip taken is carbon neutral. This is an ongoing commitment and an integral part of our commitment to be Net Zero by 2050. Here’s how the process works and how travellers can contribute.&nbsp;

To get to Net Zero, an organization must reduce carbon emissions by more than 90% from its base year of measurement, off-setting anything that cannot be eliminated. B&amp;R’s base year is 2023, and during that year our emissions were 2,176 metric tons (MT).&nbsp; &nbsp;While we are on a journey to reach this goal by 2050, charting a path to Net Zero involves having to predict the future and how quickly low-carbon technologies will become viable within the business. However, we do not want to use this as an excuse to not start reducing emissions immediately.&nbsp;

What is Net Zero? 

B&amp;R has partnered with carbon consulting firm <a href="https://www.ecollectivecarbon.com/">e-Collective</a> to calculate the total carbon footprint of our company, including each trip we run. Trip emission calculations include accommodation, in-region transportation, meals, activities for both travellers and our guides. Of our total carbon footprint in 2023, 1,791 MT were trip emissions. This is the equivalent to the electricity usage of 1,455 Canadian homes per year.

How are B&R’s emissions calculated? 

To offset is to roughly quantify carbon emissions and buy offsets from a third party to “neutralize” them. B&amp;R has partnered with Sustainable Travel International, an expert in climate change impact and mitigation, to purchase carbon offsets that match the total emissions produced by our trips.&nbsp; &nbsp;The dollars we invest via offsetting are distributed across a portfolio of STI-verified climate projects. These projects fight climate change by removing greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere or avoiding emissions that would otherwise happen.&nbsp;

How does offsetting work?  

STI’s verified climate projects fight climate change by removing greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere or avoiding emissions that would otherwise happen. Examples of the project we’re investing in include Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary, a Cambodian forestry project that protects over 412,000 acres of tropical forest, and the Katingan Mentaya Project, which is protecting and restoring over 370,000 acres of carbon-rich peat swamp forest in Borneo.&nbsp;&nbsp;

How do STI’s projects work? 

Offsetting is just one part of our strategy. We are reducing emissions, which includes designing routes that minimize unnecessary gas-powered travel and reducing waste and single-use plastics. We are also insetting, or investing in our operations and supply chain in ways that will help reduce emissions; and regenerating through our Slow Fund, with projects that support biodiversity conservation and environmental protection. Visit the <a href="https://traveller.butterfield.com/the-slow-fund">Slow Fund page</a> to learn more about the latest projects we’re supporting.&nbsp;&nbsp;

What else is B&R doing to minimize emissions? 

B&amp;R contributes approximately 5% of our annual profits to Slow Fund projects around the world, which means every time you travel with us, you are part of that impact. And on every trip you book with us, we recommend that you book direct flights to your destination whenever possible and <a href="https://sustainabletravel.org/our-work/carbon-offsets/calculate-footprint/?external-id89791&amp;source=B-R&amp;source-client=&amp;carbon=&amp;amount=&amp;currency=USD">offset your flights</a>. These two things are among the most significant impacts travellers can make.&nbsp;