Even if your holiday by bike or on foot is the most environmentally friendly way to travel, CO2 emissions are of course still generated during your active holiday:
- Your accommodation leaves a CO2 footprint through electricity consumption, heating or air conditioning
- The production of food for meals generates CO2 and energy is also required during excursions or cable car rides - and thus CO2 is produced.
- We also reliably deliver your luggage from A to B - but unfortunately this also generates CO2 emissions.
In order to compensate for this, CO2 offsetting follows the following principle: CO2 emissions are offset by certain measures that either remove the same amount of CO2 from the atmosphere or prevent it elsewhere. This can take the form of reforestation for example, which binds CO2. Replacing existing energy sources with renewable energies is also a suitable measure for preventing CO2 emissions. There are actually many projects, but they all have the same goal:
To neutralise the impact on the climate through certain measures and thus minimise the CO2 footprint elsewhere.
How does the CO2 value of our original journeys come about?
We carefully record the total value of all emissions per trip and person using the ‘Carmacal’ CO2 calculator specially developed for tour operators. The individual components are calculated as accurately as possible for our original trips and assessed in kilograms of CO2.
What is behind the values?
Overnight stay in our partner accommodation
We record each overnight stay individually. The CO₂ value varies depending on the hotels‘ and guesthouses’ commitment to sustainability and the services they offer. Carmacal uses data from Travelife for Accommodation, a portal that lists numerous accommodations and precisely assesses their environmental footprint.
Your luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
Behind this is the charge for our luggage transfer - this is based on the kilometres driven and the associated fuel consumption of our coaches.
Meals & refreshments during the trip
The CO₂ emissions of meals are an essential part of calculating the ecological footprint of a trip. We use the average CO₂ value for half board, which includes breakfast and a main meal, to present the emissions balance as realistically as possible.
Additional programme points
This value reflects the CO2 emissions of additional activities on our hiking and cycling holidays. These include cable car rides, ferry trips or boat trips, which are assigned a specific CO2 value in Carmacal.
Compensation: Our contribution to the Livelihoods Carbon Funds
Accommodation, luggage transport, local catering and activities all contribute to the overall impact, which we offset in full as part of the Livelihoods Carbon Fund's climate protection projects. Our focus is on supporting projects that deal with the reforestation of mangrove forests.
To offset the CO2 emissions generated, we invest in the Livelihoods Carbon Funds. These funds support projects worldwide that not only reduce CO₂ emissions, but also strengthen local communities and improve their livelihoods. Our particular focus is on projects for the reforestation of mangrove forests.
Whether in Senegal, Indonesia or India - in all of these regions, these projects help to restore mangrove forests and thus not only reduce CO₂ emissions, but also improve the livelihoods of local people. Ecologically sustainable action that also promotes the social and economic prosperity of the communities.
Why mangroves?
Mangrove forests play a key role in climate protection. They store large amounts of carbon, protect coasts from erosion and provide a habitat for numerous animal species. By reforesting these unique ecosystems, we are not only contributing to CO2 reduction, but also to the protection of biodiversity.
An extract from the mangrove projects
Senegal: OCEANIUM
Mangrove reforestation in Casamance
In collaboration with the local organisation Oceanium, one of the largest mangrove reforestation projects in the world was launched in the Casamance region in southern Senegal. More than 79 million mangrove seedlings have been planted, contributing to the recovery of damaged coastal ecosystems. The project also strengthens local fisheries and protects coastal regions from the consequences of climate change.
Indonesia: YAGASU
Mangrove rehabilitation in Sumatra
On the Indonesian island of Sumatra, LCF is working together with the NGO Yagasu to restore mangrove forests. Over 18,000 hectares of degraded mangrove areas are being reforested. The project not only promotes coastal protection against erosion and storms, but also improves the livelihoods of local communities by supporting sustainable fishing and beekeeping.
India
Mangrove rehabilitation in the Sundarbans Delta
A comprehensive reforestation project has been launched in the world-famous Sundarbans Delta, which is known for its biodiversity and fragile mangrove ecosystems. The aim is to protect the coastline against rising sea levels and extreme weather events. At the same time, the project supports the local population by creating sustainable jobs in fishing and agriculture.
Sustainable along the way
Even if this is only part of our commitment, we are proud to be making an important contribution to sustainable change with our investments in the Livelihoods Carbon Funds. Together, we are shaping a future that not only protects our planet, but also benefits people.
