Exodus Travels, the award-winning specialist adventure tour operator, is proud to announce that it is one of the founding signatories of the 'Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency' pledge.

In October 2018, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a vital report on global warming, noting a consistent increase in global temperatures that will result in devastating consequences for people and planet by 2050.

In response, a new network of organisations, companies and individuals working in the tourism industry have come together to declare a climate emergency, launched at www.tourismdeclares.com.

Exodus Travels commits to becoming an advocate within the travel industry by collaborating with other sustainable travel companies – including Intrepid and ResponsibleTravel.com – who have also signed the pledge. This collaboration with competitors will not only support a broader industry-wide adoption and acceleration of response but also encourages similar members of the industry to join the movement.

As a founding signatory, Exodus Travels recognises that there is an urgent climate emergency and is committing to a science-based target of halving their carbon footprint per client by 2030.

The company is also committing to making a proactive change in the next 12 months within the company to measure, reduce and mitigate its carbon footprint. This will include developing further options for clients to travel by train to European destinations, switching to lower carbon transport on trips and expanding support of global projects that protect biodiversity and capture carbon. Exodus Travels already works to minimise its carbon impact through a holistic sustainable travel approach across its trips. Smaller, locally-owned accommodation with a lower footprint is favoured, such as the Esquinas Rainforest Lodge in Costa Rica. Visits to restaurants and food markets that source food locally rather than import it are a key element to trips. Exodus Travels also supports the protection of carbon-capturing biodiversity, such as in Finland through the Wild Oulanka Foundation.

Though not a founding signatory, Exodus Travels' sister-brand, Headwater, will also be signing the pledge and clearly commit to working alongside Exodus Travels to further reduce and mitigate its carbon footprint. Headwater has already been proactively increasing the number of clients travelling to its destinations by train.

For further information visit: www.exodus.co.uk/sustainable-travel/declaration.

For press information and enquiries please contact Jules Ugo / Georgina Oakley / Katie Cosstick / Chloe Shepherd / Amber Martin at LOTUS on 0207 953 7470 / exodustravels@wearelotus.co.uk 

About Exodus Travels:

For over 45 years, Exodus Travels has been leading the way when it comes to adventure travel. With an emphasis on responsible and experience-led travel, Exodus offers a diverse range of over 450 itineraries across 100 countries, from 'Walking in the Amalfi Coast' to trekking to Everest Basecamp.

Tours include small-group guided adventures (maximum 16 travellers) as well as tailor-made itineraries, with every trip offering culturally rich experiences, allowing customers to discover the essence of every destination.

Exodus Travels is an award-winning tour operator, receiving the accolade of National Geographic Traveller's Best Small-Medium Tour Operator for 2019 and has received Which? Recommended status for four years running. This year, Exodus Travels was also voted Best Activity/Sports Holiday Company at the British Travel Awards; awarded Bronze for Best Escorted Adventure Holiday Company; Best Holiday Company to Sub-Saharan Africa and Best safari in Africa, alongside its Costa Rica guide who won the Best Conservation Guide 2019 by Wanderlust. www.exodus.co.uk