Our sustainability journey
At Esprit, we’re passionate about travel, and it’s our passion that drives us to make a difference in the world. As we continue to offer activity-based holidays in the great outdoors, in some of nature’s most magnificent locations across Europe, we know it is essential that we contribute to industry wide change for a more sustainable future.
Committed to change
We are proud to announce that our parent company Hotelplan UK Group was a signatory and launch partner of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, launched at the COP26 climate change conference in November 2021.
We, along with all our sister brands within the Hotelplan UK Group, are committed to change. The declaration aims to raise the climate protection ambitions of all tourism businesses, taking strong action to support the global commitment to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero as soon as possible before 2050.
We stand alongside a group of like-minded travel and tourism companies acknowledging the environment around us, the impact we have had and now our duty to protect and rebuild what is left. We will learn from one another, take responsibility for our actions (at an individual level, company level and industry level) and push for regulatory action, research and development.
There is no excuse for waiting, this is why we are acting now. Our first step is publishing our climate action plan which directly addresses our impact and what we are doing to reduce it.
Measure
A crucial part of any climate action plan, we wanted to ensure we have an an accurate starting point so we can measure progress over time, working towards the level of reduction and removal that the science tells us is critical.
We have been working with ecollective to measure the carbon emissions of every one of our holidays - including all transport, accommodation, activities and excursions - as well as operational activities involved in running the Hotelplan UK business. We’re excited to be able to publish our Climate Paper and Biodiversity Paper that outlines our clear planet goals for 2023 and beyond.
With clear calculations in place, we can confidently set about tackling the next challenge…reducing our footprint and removing our carbon.
Reduce
Now our carbon audit is complete and we have released our Climate Paper and Biodiversity Papers, as part of this audit, we have created a new partnership with Klimate to help us in achieving the removal of our carbon from the atmosphere.
We must adapt our operations and reduce our footprint, both on the climate and the natural world, and we must do this with our suppliers, our partners and of course our customers all on board.
What makes our trips truly memorable for customers will not change, and we are confident they will ultimately be better. Our aim is that all our efforts will help ensure that our holidays will still going for another 85 years.
Mitigate
Alongside our promise to measure, remove and reduce our carbon footprint in the coming years, is our promise to protect and restore nature as part of our partnership with Rewilding Britain, a journey we are excited to see flourish.
The concept of rewilding is fundamental to the long term resilience of our holidays, as well as underpinning all our health and wellbeing. We will be talking more about our exciting new plans as soon as things are confirmed, but in the meantime you can read more about our partnership with Rewilding Britain with our Biodiversity Paper.
Communicate
The final part of our action plan is all about communication and collaboration. It is our promise to talk openly and honestly about our progress, admitting when we fall short of our ambition and celebrating all the successes we know we will have along the way. It is about bringing everyone with us on this journey; our customers, our staff and our partners.
Please contact us on sustainability@hotelplan.co.uk with any feedback or questions you may have regards our sustainability journey.
Our Climate Papers
Our Biodiversity Paper 2023
This Biodiversity Paper outlines our current position, and key 2023 targets against biodiversity.
Our Climate Paper 2023
This Climate paper outlines our approach to tackling our impact on the climate crisis - our targets and how we’ll reach them.
This People and Planet report tracks our progress towards sustainability goals and incorporates elements of its People strategy for the first time.
Further Information
Animal Protection Policy
Animal interactions sit at the heart of many of our holidays, therefore it is our responsibility to have an animal protection policy that is robust, clear and well communicated to ensure that all experiences are ethical and responsible and involve zero exploitation of animals or local communities.
Read our Animal Protection Policy here.
Sustainable Partnerships
View our Partnerships page to see who we have partnered with to help us achieve our sustainability goals.
