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Intrepid Travel has unveiled a significantly revised approach to combatting climate change, marking a pivotal shift in its environmental strategy for 2026. Central to this new direction is the discontinuation of its traditional carbon offsetting program, which will be superseded by an innovative Climate Impact Fund. This fund is designed to channel an annual investment of 2 million dollars directly into actionable initiatives aimed at reducing emissions. These investments will facilitate a more rapid transition to electric vehicles within its operations, support the integration of renewable energy sources in its hotels and offices, and foster collaborative decarbonization efforts with its extensive network of over 10,000 global suppliers.

Further augmenting its commitment, Intrepid Travel is moving beyond its previous adherence to the Science Based Targets Initiative, which it adopted in 2020. In its place, the company will implement a new, more comprehensive lifecycle target: an 8% reduction in carbon intensity per trip by 2030. This forward-looking goal underscores a focus on operational efficiency and sustainable travel practices. Additionally, Intrepid will maintain a stringent objective of achieving a 21% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, which encompass its offices, trips, and accommodations, by 2030, benchmarked against a 2024 baseline. Notably, the company's carbon reporting will now extend to include the entire travel lifecycle, an industry-leading move that incorporates emissions from flights booked independently by customers for their journeys, demonstrating a holistic view of its environmental footprint.

In an open letter addressed to the public, Intrepid Co-founder and Chair Darrell Wade, alongside CEO James Thornton, candidly acknowledged that both Intrepid and the broader travel industry are currently not on track to achieve the critical 1.5C global warming target, emphasizing the urgent need for more decisive action. This new strategic framework is a testament to the company's dedication to immediate and measurable impact. Intrepid's specialized Purpose team will play a crucial role, engaging with its vast supplier network to implement practical solutions, ranging from providing financial assistance for electric vehicle procurement in regions like India and Nepal to facilitating the installation of solar panels in homestays, also in locations such as India. The leadership team affirmed that while travel serves as a powerful catalyst for empathy, cultural exchange, and economic support, its inherent environmental impact necessitates a proactive and robust response, with this revitalized climate action plan designed to confront the crisis head-on and accelerate the necessary decarbonization of its business operations.