The operator said the move meant it went “further than industry standards”. In addition, Intrepid is replacing its carbon offsetting programme with a new Climate Impact Fund redirecting £983,000 each year into practical emissions reduction initiatives.  

The fund will enable the business to switch to electric vehicles, invest in renewable energy in its hotels and offices, and work with more than 10,000 suppliers globally to decarbonise. 

Another significant change is a move away from the Science Based Targets initiative, which Intrepid committed to in 2020. These targets will be replaced by a new 8% lifecycle carbon intensity reduction target, focused on reducing emissions per trip, by 2030.

The company will continue to target a 21% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, such as from offices, trips and accommodation, compared to 2024. It plans to achieve these by 2030.  

Credit: Intrepid Travel

In a joint open letter, Intrepid co-founder and chair Darrell Wade and chief executive James Thornton said Intrepid - and the industry - was not on track to achieve the 1.5C reduction target in global average temperature.

It said: “In 2020 we joined the Science Based Targets initiative with three near-term 2035 targets and backed that commitment by cutting flights on trips, promoting alternative transport, introducing carbon labelling on our trips, ceasing operations in Antarctica and more.

“These actions were real, tangible steps towards emissions reduction, but they haven’t been enough. The transition to renewable energy, sustainable aviation fuels and electric vehicles across the 117 countries in which we operate is progressing – but not fast enough.” 

Under the new strategy, Intrepid’s Purpose team will work with its 10,000-plus suppliers, offering help with sustainability goals covering areas such as providing loans, purchasing electric vehicles and installing solar panels in homestays.

The letter added: “Travel is a powerful tool to build empathy, shift perspectives, support local economies and drive global connections.  But that power means little if we aren’t willing to grapple with its environmental cost. 

“Intrepid’s new approach to climate action is designed to reflect the urgency of this crisis and accelerate the work we need to do to decarbonise our business.”

The new measures are the latest stage in Intrepid’s re-evaluation of its climate position. In 2022 it was forced into a marketing rethink after the Advertising Standards Authority told it not to describe its tours as “planet friendly” because the itineraries included flights.