The Paris Agreement signed in November 2015 during the COP21 was intended to represent a major step forward in the fight against climate change. Unfortunately, the commitments of most countries remain to date insufficient to satisfy the main objective of the text: to contain by 2100 the average global warming "significantly below 2 ° C compared to pre-industrial levels and by continuing the action carried out to limit the rise in temperatures to 1.5 ° C compared to pre-industrial levels ". To reach this target, scientists estimate that net global CO2 emissions of human origin must be reduced by around 45% by 2030 (compared to 2010 levels), and that a "zero balance" emissions will have to be reached around 2050, which means that the remaining emissions should be balanced by removing CO2 from the atmosphere. To meet this ambition, the forest has proven to be the best option.
At Explographe, we have tried since our beginnings to set up tours with a limited carbon footprint, in particular by reducing the area in which most of our activities take place and by investing in local infrastructure (house, vehicle) to reduce our own movements. However, our customers' trips continue to generate CO2 emissions, since it is not possible to go to Iceland for a short stay without flying (the ferry + car journey is even more polluting) or travel without a vehicle on site.
From January 1st, 2020, we want the carbon footprint of all Explographe tours to be offset 100% (international flight and trips on site, guides and customers). Thus, we will calculate the global carbon footprint of each of our workshops, and the emissions will be offset by reforestation actions, which is the best climate strategy today. Ten to twelve trees on average will be planted in Europe by Reforest’Action for each person booking one of our workshops from that date on.
Concretely, when a customer decides to register for a tour with us, we will offer him to offset his carbon footprint for around 30 to 40 euros depending on his country of origin and on the workshop program. But this financial participation will not be an obligation for the client. For those who decide not to compensate for their trip, we will bear this expense, so that in all cases, 100% of the emissions related to our activity are fully offset.
