Message IMPACT REPORTFY 2023/24
"The truth is: the natural worldis changing. And we are totallydependent on that world.It provides our food, water andair. It is the most precious thingwe have and we need to defend it.”Sir David Attenborough
TURNING TIDESAs we embark on our 5th year of carbon measurement it’s with a sense of pride we recognise how long we have been doingthis compared to so many only just beginning their carbonjourney. When we first began, few understood the purpose orsaw the value - What does it mean? Who will understand it? -they asked. And I mustered the courage to say, it may not meanmuch right now, but one day soon everyone will be doing this.It will become the norm and we can say we helped to lead theway. We were part of the movement for change. To stand up andbe counted. To make a positive difference.We may be small but when many small voices stand united,together our impact is felt and we compel governments andcorporations to also stand up and be counted.This is how tides are turned.Claire CopemanCo-founder
measuring our impactNow in our 5th year of impact measurement, each year remainsjust as nail-biting: will the numbers show we have practicedwhat we preached?We strive to find the lowest impact solutions to our guests’adventures across the UK, balancing their enjoyment of thetrip of a lifetime with ensuring future generations canbenefit from the same opportunity.A new metricOver this time the industry has progressed as more operatorsrealise the need to adopt carbon management practices. Toremain in line with latest best practice, we’ve evolved ourcarbon intensity metric from ‘carbon footprint per guest’ to ‘carbon footprint per guest night’. This enables a moreaccurate year-on-year comparison and accounts for thevariation in trip durations. This metric is more commonlyused across the travel industry, simplifying comparisons.Measuring per guest night also helps to champion slowtravel, encouraging longer and less frequent holidays. The environmental benefit is an overall reduction in thenumber of journeys, especially flights, taken each year,ensuring maximum value from each carbon-intensive journeyto and from a destination.
Home WorkingBusiness travelTour MealsTourAccommodationTour TransfersTour ActivitiesEmissions Breakdownby Scope (kg CO2e)FY 19/20FY 20/21FY 21/22FY 22/23FY 23/24Scope 10 kg0 kg0 kg0 kg0 kgScope 20 kg0 kg0 kg0 kg0 kgScope 34,559 kg9,480 kg34,860 kg52,937 kg61,609 kg16.1kgsCO2eAverage carbon emissions per guest night FY2023/24The same goalOur challenge is to make each day in destination as low carbon as possible. Our percentage reduction target remains the same at 6% each year from our FY2020/21 baseline.By continuing to favour rail travel over private cars whereverfeasible, never bowing to requests for internal flights, seekingmore partners who share our values of using renewable energy,sourcing local produce and more, we’re managing to stay on trackwith our goal.TOTAL carbon emissions by scope
YEAR ON YEAR REVIEWAs carbon measurement is more widely adopted, the methodologyused is evolving. In line with latest guidance we recalculatedour emissions for previous years to improve accuracy.And to ensure there’s no unintentional under-reporting, anapplied buffer now accounts for small sources of previouslyunaccounted emissions, eg snacks / drinks. The methodology forcalculating the footprint of included meals is also improved.As such our figures for previous years have increased, but it’s important to apply changes retrospectively to ensurecontinued accuracy of year-on-year performance comparisons.From a baseline of 22.3kg in FY 2019/20, our target was 17kgMORE ACCURATE DATAAlthough only a 3% reduction this year, we remain ahead oftarget thanks to exceeding our goal previously. Having alwaysrun low-carbon tours this will never be easy and we continue toseek incremental improvements.We recognise our total carbon footprint grows each year, it’snatural in a young growing business. However, we believe themore tours we shift away from carbon-intensive operators to ourlower-carbon trips, the better the outcome for the planet.17.1 kg CO2eFY 2022/23per guest night 16.1 kg CO2eFY 2023/24per guest night3%
We leaned hard into our plans to develop more rail tours andthis year 54% of our independent travellers enjoyed thebenefits of the UK’s rail network to explore in a relaxed, lowcarbon style. With trains emitting just 35g per passenger perkm compared to an average car at 164g*, the benefit is clear.Rail-way to go!lower impact day tripsOnce in destination, we encourage guests to learn more aboutthe area by joining a local guided walking tour: a carbon-freechoice and a great way to discover a place through the eyes of a local. For those who prefer to head further afield, we suggestopen group minibus tours over private driver-guided days,helping to keep their carbon impact low while still benefitingthe local economy.Team travelTrains remain our first choice for business travel: it keepsour carbon impact low and productivity high. This is greatfor attending UK-based trade events but sometimes the extraflexibility a car provides is necessary, for example whencarrying out essential site visits in rural areas. When thisis appropriate we plan journeys meticulously to ensure weget the most out of every mile, visiting as many partners aspossible within a region and enroute to / from that region.lower carbon by design* DEFRA 2024
6%WE aim to REDUCEEMISSIONS BY EACH YEAR...15.6kgFY 2024/25 Target:Per guest night
planning forwardAs we look ahead to FY 2024/25, finding incremental changesthat continue to reduce our carbon emissions is increasinglychallenging. Our main focus lies in the following areas:Streamlined teamA restructure to improve operational efficiency and guestexperience created a leaner organisation. New recruitmentto cope with continued growth will remain within this new‘enquiry to review’ approach to guest experienceRail toursRail tours remain our key focus for independent travel.In addition we’re seeking opportunities to transitionfrom road to rail where possible for group toursEV TRANSFERSDespite limited options to date, we continue to seektransfer partners operating electric vehiclesExtended staysWe continue to encourage guests to travel slower, staylonger and take fewer trips overall, helping to reducetravel emissions as they take to the skies less each yearPartner engagementWe continue to champion our partners who set a greatexample for others by choosing renewable energy providersand local suppliers. We reward them with more business andshare their stories to encourage more partners to follow
Reducing emissions on our already very low-carbontrips is challenging and we can’t do it alone.Collaboration and innovative thinking are key to reaching our goal.Whether you're a partner, a trade client or a traveller, we’d love to hear your ideas andsuggestions!hello@adventuretoursuk.com
We want the world to travelAs a B Corp certified business we’re proud to be part of agrowing group of companies across the planet who arereinventing business by pursuing purpose as well as profit.Our vision remains the same, yet feels ever more relevant intoday’s climate:By this we mean that the adventures we provide should enableour guests to do more than they dared possible, creatingmemories that last a lifetime.That our tours enable our partners to grow their localbusinesses, to provide local employment year round and to pay a fair wage.That the communities we touch feel a positive impact from thevisitors that enjoy them, keeping local pubs alive, villageshops open 7 days a week and providing vital economicsupport for the infrastructure needed by local people.And that together we can support local charities andenvironmental projects, ensuring the great outdoors can beenjoyed by all and not just the privileged few, as we help toprotect our planet for years to come.Make the world a better placethrough adventures that empower everyoneto live their best life(just with a smaller footprint)
In 2021 we began to create a small woodland at Ty’n-y-Pistyll in the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley National Landscape, North Wales.In November 2023 we planted our final 150 trees, taking the totalto 485 trees planted. In addition, many more young saplings havebegun to appear as a result of natural regenerative growth.our projectsAlthough no capacity for further planting, we return yearly to Ty’n-y-Pistyll to clear bracken regrowth, ensuring our youngsaplings continue to thrive. The fast-growing Birch will maturewithin 10-15 years, while the slower Oak will begin producingacorns in 35-45 years, reaching maturity in 75-115 years.We’re grateful for the support we receive from volunteers whohelp to plant trees and provide ongoing maintenance. Especiallythe Clwydian Range & Dee Valley National Landscape rangers andteam members from Headwater Holidays, who’ve been instrumentalin helping us to create this important biodiverse space.The young woodland now boasts a mix of Downy Birch, Oak, Rowan,Wild Cherry, Crab Apple, Small Leaf Lime, Field Maple, Spindle,Wild Pear, Hawthorn and Holly. As they continue to grow, the newwoodland will provide food and habitat for hundreds of insects,including caterpillars of moths like the Angle Shades and Buff Tip. In turn these provide food for birds, such as Redstarts,Pied Flycatchers and Tree Pipits, as well as bats. Even the barkwill provide habitat for a whole range of mosses and lichens.OUR ORIGINAL WOODLANDONGOING SUPPORTBIODIVERSITY BECKONS
7in 2024 eachemployee receivedcharity days
We don’t believe in tree planting solely to mitigate carbon:there simply isn’t enough available space to plant our wayout of the climate crisis. However, we do believe in the righttrees in the right place and we’re keen to support projectswhere carbon mitigation is a by-product of a broader goal.Having reached capacity at Ty’n-y-Pistyll, we identified theLIFE Dee River project as our next initiative. We’re proud topartner with Natural Resources Wales on this importantscheme that aims to protect and restore the River Dee’secosystem, ensuring it can thrive for generations to come.Our next woodland ambitionProtection of rare water speciesOne of Wales’ most vital waterways and close to our home base,the River Dee hosts some of the most ecologically importantspecies in Wales, particularly Atlantic Salmon and the rarefreshwater pearl mussel. It faces numerous threats frompollution, habitat loss and the effects of climate change.A key strategy is to plant native trees along the river bank,boosting biodiversity and, as the tree canopy matures,creating shade across the water. This will result in acooling effect critical to reduce water temperatures back to levels necessary for the salmons’ survival.In February 2024 we’ll plant around 185 trees along riverbanks in the Ceirog Valley. Once again we’re delighted to bejoined by volunteers from Headwater Holidays who havechosen to use their annual charity day to support our work.
“As I planned a return to Scotlanddecades after my 1st visit, Claireidentified local resources & problems & provided needed clarity. The website'svision & ethics statements say it all:local, responsible, wild & fun. While Ican't "bag a munro" anymore, I still lovethe beauty of Scotland & people likeClaire, working to protect & enjoy it.Thanks again”Jennifer, USA
We believe in leaving the wild spaces we love better than we found them. Since 2022 we’ve been proud to support Trash Free Trails, an organisation on a mission to protect our trails and the wild places they take us.Their goal is to (re)connect people with nature through thesimple act of removing single-use pollution from wild places.But they don’t stop there, because we all know data is king.Scientific data is at the heart of what they do. Without it theywouldn't be able to track the progress made cleaning trailsand, although this change won’t happen overnight, with thepower of this data they are able to engage with those who cando something about it. Together we can build a case for change.Purposeful adventuresbenefits of Nature connectionWe incorporate a voluntary trail clean into each of our ownsmall group tours, encouraging guests to take part and helpto leave the trails in a better state. Afterwards we count andlog our findings, adding valuable data to Trash Free Trails’ammunition store.Engaging guests in this way fosters a stronger connectionwith the areas they visit. More so than if they simply hike,run or ride through without pausing to think about theimpact past visitors have had and therefore what impacttheir own visit may inadvertently have.More often than not, this connection strengthens thepositive experience guests have in a destination and, moreimportantly, research shows it can go on to have a lastingimpact on future behaviour, encouraging people to becomeguardians of their own local trails.
Building on our relationship with Trash Free Trails, in 2024we deepened our commitment by teaming up with Welsh charityEYST (Ethnic Minorities & Youth Support Team).An award-winning Welsh charity that supports adults andyoung people from minority backgrounds, our collaborativegoal was to break down barriers, open minds and help create a more inclusive outdoors where everyone feels welcome andconfident to nurture a connection with nature.Together we delivered trail cleans across four popular tourismlocations in North East Wales. Each trail clean removedhundreds of single-use pollution items from the trails, alllogged in Trash Free Trails’ growing database of evidence tohelp lobby the big food and drink manufacturers.Protecting our trails & building communitiesNature connectionThe positive effects on EYST’s young members of spending time in nature, working collaboratively and the sense ofaccomplishment of completing a trail clean were clear:Stronger Friendships: Bonds formed, antisocial behaviourreduced and camaraderie grew at their community hubRespect & Responsibility: Participants displayed greaterrespect for each other, their leaders and the environmentA Positive Outlet: Nature provided a space for relaxationand connection, helping participants feel more groundedThese tangible transformations underscore the deeper valueof programmes like this. Yes, we’re cleaning trails, improvingthe quality of our environment and contributing to vital data collection. But we’re also nurturing personal growth,community and nature connection in the next generation.
60in 2024 We engaged overcommunitymembers in woodland maintenance& trail clean days
THANK YOUAll reported calculations have been verifiedby ecollective, a carbon consultancyspecialising in the travel industry.Thoughts, questions, comments?We love talking about our carbon reductionwork and would be happy to share more details. You can reach us athello@adventuretoursuk.com We look forward to hearing from you.This pdf had a carbon footprint of 0.6kg CO2e to create.