Responsible Travel

Responsible Travel

Here at Intrepid Connections we're pretty passionate about our natural environments and keen to see them around in pristine condition, for generations to come. Intrepid Connections is committed to a style of travel that is environmentally, culturally and socially responsible - we call this 'Responsible Travel' .

Here's some information on what we're doing to help - join us in Fighting Climate Change - every effort large or small will make a difference:

Our Carbon Offset Trips

Intrepid Connections is concerned about the issue of climate change and the negative impacts on our natural environment and is therefore working with Intrepid Travel and Cleaner Climate to bring you our carbon offset trips in 2011 - designed to significantly reduce your carbon footprint on our Oz adventures!

What is offset on your trip? Intrepid Connections have offset the main 3 components of our trips;

·       Transport

·       Accommodation

·       Waste

How are we offsetting our trips? Cleaner Climate is an international carbon solutions provider focused on the delivery of pioneering climate change strategies for many of the world's leading companies and brands, including Intrepid Connections! We work closely with Cleaner Climate to select appropriate offset projects in which to invest through our Carbon Offset Trip initiative:

The 3 projects we are currently investing in are:

• Bargaran Mini_Hydro project, India
• Macahoe Hydro project, China
• Rice Husk Biomass project, Thailand

For more information please visit our sister company at www.intrepidtravel.com/ourtrips/rt/offsettrips.php

Intrepid Connections is proud to be ECO-FRIENDLY!

Intrepid Connections has adopted the TEN principles to be eligible for Ecotourism and Advanced EcoTourism Certification for 2010/11. We are committed to managing the impacts we create in the way we operate our business.

We review our performance in these areas regularly and are dedicated to an alltogether environmentally and socially friendly environment.

About our New Vehicles

In 2008-2009 we upgraded our fleet of vehicles in the Northern Territory to the new generation custom built Isuzu 550s. The Isuzu 500 series engine
produces 2090kg less CO² than the 2006 model. As an example, when this is multiplied by six vehicles per year at 60,000km per year the result is approximately 12 tonnes less CO² per year, just from Connections' six Red Centre vehicles. The new Isuzu vehicles also use less oil than the Toyota coaster fleet. The Isuzu 550 uses 11.3ltrs every 10,000 km and the Toyota Coasters 9.3ltrs every 5,000Klm.

Intrepid Connections now has the most modern, energy efficient fleet of vehicles in the Northern Territory and is actively reducing carbon emissions and thus its negative impact on the environment.

How we can all make a difference

Here are some simple tips on how we can all make a difference both at work and at home, to join the Fight against Climate Change:

(1) WALK TO WORK
It sounds so obvious but few of us do it. The thought of leaving our beloved car at home and setting out independently can be daunting initially. But once you've felt the wind in your hair and the sun on your skin (or at least part of the way - catching public transport's a good option too) you'll soon discover you'll be saving money, reducing your carbon footprint, as well as improving your own fitness.

(2) INFLATE YOUR TYRES
When you do drive your car, it will get better fuel efficiency when the tyres are fully inflated, so in turn, you will use less petrol and emit less carbon. Check your car monthly to ensure that the tyres are correctly inflated. This is another win for both the environment and your hip pocket!

(3) RECYCLE AND REUSE
Products made from recycled paper, glass, metal and plastic reduce carbon emissions because they use less energy to manufacture than products made from completely new materials. Recycling paper also saves trees and lets them continue to reduce climate change naturally as they remain in the forest, where they remove carbon from the atmosphere.

(4) SWITCH TO RENEWABLE ENERGY
Both at work and at home! Electricity generation produces 40 percent of carbon emissions from the United States alone. A growing number of suppliers generate electricity from renewable energy sources with solar panels, windmills and other technologies. If your utility offers renewable energy, buy it. If not, send them a message asking for clean energy.

(5) ACT GLOBALLY, EAT LOCALLY
If you shop at a supermarket, chances are, the food you buy may have travelled in a plane from the other side of the world, burning fossil fuels the entire trip. Why not shop at a local farmers’ markets and you will find fresh and healthy food, and help save our climate. Or better still - grow your own!!