How Macs Adventure is Working Toward More Sustainable Travel
4 Min Read
08 October 2024
How Macs Adventure is Working Toward More Sustainable Travel

We know you want to book the most environmentally sustainable adventure possible. Here’s what you need to know about how to make that happen. 

How Macs Adventure is Working Toward More Sustainable Adventures 

Hey there, eco-warrior! If you're reading this, you're probably as passionate about traveling responsibly as we are. At Macs Adventure, we understand the importance of environmental sustainability and are committed to making our adventures as eco-friendly as possible. Let's talk about how we're working towards more sustainable adventures and how you can join us on this journey. 

Working Towards our B Corp Certification 

We want to be part of a tribe of businesses who prioritize people and planet as well as profit. We’re currently going through a rigorous evaluation to ensure every corner of our business makes the cut.  

Read more about our journey to becoming a B Corp business > 

couple sitting on bench on Queen Charlotte Track in New Zealand

Tackling Travel Industry Emissions 

We prioritize energy efficiency, renewable alternatives, and the promotion of no-fly travel alongside eco-friendly activities. While there are specific elements of travel industry emissions we can directly control, others we can only influence.

Here’s how we’re doing our bit to address travel industry emissions >

Working with small and locally owned Businesses 

97%* of Macs accommodation and food and beverage partners are independent businesses, and locally owned. By working with small, locally run businesses, we’re keeping the money local which supports the economies our travelers visit. 

Impact Report 

We want to be honest, open and completely transparent with our goals and intentions. So we have released our Impact Report which details our plans, actions and goals that reflect our commitment to people, planet, and profit.  

Learn about our achievements, challenges, and future goals in our latest impact report >

Train on Bernese Oberland

What is Sustainable Travel? 

Sustainable travel is all about minimizing your carbon footprint and maximizing your positive social and economic impact. It's not just about limiting carbon emissions (though that's super important!). It's also about ensuring that your travel benefits local communities. 

Supporting Local Economies: At Macs, we partner with small, local businesses—many of which are family-run. This means your money goes directly to the people who live in the area, rather than multinational corporations. 

Human-Powered Adventures: Our trips are mostly human-powered. Whether you're hiking or biking, your carbon footprint is as low as it gets. Plus, our self-guided tours mean fewer people on the trails, which reduces wear and tear on the environment. 

How to Estimate the Impact of Your Trip 

Wondering how to measure the impact of your travel? Start by looking at the company you choose to travel with. At Macs, we’re working to carbon count every single one of our trips to show you the true impact of your adventures. 

Carbon Counting: We've teamed up with ecollective to calculate the carbon footprint for each trip. Each adventure has a Carbon Score of one to three leaves. Three leaves mean fewer than 20 kg of carbon emissions per person per night. We're aiming to get all our trips into this range. 

To put it into context, our average trip (per person, per night) carbon score is 17kg, sitting nicely within the Best Footprint category. That’s approximately the equivalent to eating 5.5 cheeseburgers!* 

Flight-Free Options: If you're flying, you can estimate your carbon emissions through Google Flights. Or, to travel flight-free once you reach Europe, check out our partners who specialize in train and boat travel.

Find our more about flight-free travel >

Fern leaf

How to Lower Your Carbon Footprint While Traveling 

Traveling responsibly doesn't have to be difficult. Here are some tips to help you lower your carbon footprint: 

Train and Public Transportation: Whenever possible, opt for trains, cars, and public transportation. We've partnered with Byway, who can help you travel flight-free and more sustainably around Europe

Direct Flights: If flying is a must, try to book direct flights. When it's not possible, consider traveling from major airports to your final destination by train. Europe has a fantastic network of sleeper trains that can add a fun twist to your trip. For example, if you're hiking the West Highland Way in the UK, you could fly to London and take the Caledonian Sleeper to Scotland

  Exotic bird in New Zealand

Take the Leave No Trace 101 Course 

Practicing the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace helps you minimize your impact on the environment and protect the natural habitats where we hike. 

We've partnered with Leave No Trace to support their mission of ensuring a sustainable future for the outdoors. Their free 101 course is a great way to learn how you can be a better steward of the environment. For example, did you know that leaving food waste behind (even something as natural as an apple core) can be harmful to wildlife? 

Invest in Sustainable Hiking Clothes 

Your gear can make a difference too! Here’s how: 

Use What You Have: The most sustainable gear is the stuff you already own. If your equipment needs some TLC, try repairing it or reaching out to the brand for help. 

Buy Second-Hand or Rent: Check out second-hand stores, rental shops, or borrow from friends and family. Many cities offer great options for renting outdoor gear. 

Certified Sustainable Gear: If you need to buy new, look for items with certifications like B Corp, Responsible Down Standard, Responsible Wool Standard, and bluesign. These indicate that the brands have undergone rigorous audits to ensure they’re doing their best for the environment. 

two people wearing hiking boots walking along a coastal route

Investigate Your Options 

When planning your next eco-friendly vacation, it’s essential to do your research. Be wary of greenwashing—where companies claim to be environmentally friendly without backing it up with actions. 

Check Certifications: Look for third-party certifications and detailed impact reports. At Macs, we’re transparent about our efforts and encourage you to read our impact report to understand what we’re doing to minimize our environmental footprint. 

Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask companies about their sustainability practices. A little skepticism goes a long way in making sure you choose truly eco-friendly options. 

Our Travel Promise 

We understand the importance of ensuring that our adventures have a positive impact on the world around us. It's our way of continually improving how we do business, ensuring that everyone involved—our adventurers, suppliers, and our business—benefits. 

Sustainable travel is more than just a buzzword- it's a commitment to making a positive impact on the world while exploring it. At Macs Adventure, we're dedicated to helping you travel responsibly and enjoyably. From supporting local economies to providing human-powered adventures and offering flight-free options, we're here to make sustainable travel accessible and fun. 

Ready to take the next step? Book a call with one of our expert stylists to refine your travel plans and choose eco-friendly adventures that suit your style. Let's make every trip an adventure worth remembering—for you and the planet. 

Happy adventuring and see you on the trails! 

Couple looking over a vast lake on Queen Charlotte trail in New Zealand

 

* We surveyed 2400 businesses and received a 10% response rate. 

**Based on ecollective’s carbon comparison assessment sheet. 

Erik Lambert

Written by

Erik Lambert
Guest Writer
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