TICOS
Journey Latin America support the carbon offsetting scheme Tourism Industry Carbon Offset Scheme (TICOS).
TICOS is a carbon offsetting scheme directly set up for the tourism industry. All funds collected under TICOS are invested in projects which aim to reduce carbon emissions, as well as help alleviate poverty in developing countries.
Journey Latin America's chosen TICOS project installs solar panels in rural schools and public buildings in Panama. The funding goes towards replacing diesel generators with solar panels, therefore reducing air and land pollution. The next phase of the project will use funds to train people from within the community to install and maintain the solar panels, introducing an alternative and sustainable form of employment and self-dependency.
It is estimated that air travel contributes to 3% of all carbon emissions. Although this is a comparatively small percentage, it is essential we make the effort to help combat air pollution, and consequent climate change.
Journey Latin America's 'Carbon Footprint'
We believe that TICOS is an excellent scheme for offsetting flight emissions, especially as the benefits from the money raised go directly towards investments in alternative energies, and help bring some of the world's poorest people out of poverty. Journey Latin America offsets all staff travel to Latin America.
At Journey Latin America we make every effort to reduce 'our carbon footprint', which includes consciously minimising our energy supplies. In addition to using energy saving light bulbs and minimal use of air conditioning, we recently invested in a sophisticated video-conferencing system to reduce travel between our Manchester and London office, and where possible to meet with suppliers in Latin America.
Our 2008 brochures are produced on 50% recycled paper and 50% well managed forests. The pulp has been bleached using an Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) process, the print uses vegetabe based inks and our printers have the highest environmental accreditation.
Other efforts to reduce our carbon emissions include encouraging staff to bicycle or walk to work, for which we are currently recognised by Transport for London and rewarded with cycle goodies! All our paper and unused brochures are recycled, and we are taking part in Hounslow Council's trials for recycling more office waste.