Outback Offsets program targets NT for carbon neutral travel
Media Release - September 22, 2008
A new carbon emissions pilot program for travel in the Northern Territory allows travellers to offset their travel’s carbon footprint free of charge in an exciting initiative from Territory Discoveries and Tourism NT.
When a traveller purchases a tour with any of the three participating operators, including Adventure Tours Australia, Connections Safaris and Wayoutback Desert Safaris, an amount of carbon credits equal to the emissions per passenger trip will be automatically included as part of their travel booking at no extra cost.
The scheme is in response to growing consumer concern about the impact of climate change and recent research highlighting consumer awareness of the need to protect the globe’s natural assets through highly credible and transparent carbon offset and abatement programs.
The three participating operators have undergone a comprehensive Greenhouse Gas Life Cycle Assessment and analysed their back office procedures and supply of fuels, the tours themselves and the clean up after the tour. As a result, carbon credits have now been purchased from a Greenhouse Friendly™ abatement provider in the Northern Territory to offset the emissions per year for each business. The Landfill Management Systems Pty Ltd abatement project from which these carbon credits have been sourced, is the Shoal Bay Landfill Gas Generation project in Darwin. This facility produces electricity from methane gas harvested from waste and is the first of its kind in the Northern Territory.
Taking the road to a low carbon economy, travellers can now plan, organise and book their Northern Territory holiday through Territory Discoveries with a range of touring options available to suit all tastes and budgets. An exciting 4-day 4WD Red Centre Safari adventure is priced from $675 per person and includes The Olgas, Uluru/Ayers Rock, Kings Canyon and the magical Palm Valley before the tour concludes in the bustling centre of Alice Springs.
For a sensational camping adventure without leaving a carbon footprint, travellers will be entertained on a 3-day Uluru, Kata Tjuta & Kings Canyon discovery tour experiencing all the icons of the Red Centre, priced from $555 per person.
A short 2-day small group getaway into Palm Valley and the West MacDonnell Ranges includes a visit to the Oak Valley Aboriginal Community and will quickly have travellers camping under the sparkling desert stars with dinner cooked over the campsite in true outback style.
Many Northern Territory holiday operators are proactively working to adapt their business processes and are adopting new technologies in order to ensure environmental sustainability. For more information on the Outback Offsets program and to find more green holiday options, please call 13 38 43 or visit Green Holidays. Some conditions do apply and deals are subject to availability, please contact Territory Discoveries for details.
Media contact: Daryl Johnson (02) 8281 9623, daryl.johnson@territorydiscoveries.com