Audley Travel hits majority of its sustainability targets

22 Feb 2022by Gary Noakes

Audley Travel achieved three-quarters of its sustainability targets last year set under its Environmental Social Governance (ESG) framework.

Gary Noakes

Senior contributor and analyst

Gary Noakes

Senior contributor and analyst

Audley Travel's Travel the Right Way report

ESG identifies five key areas – the environment, workplace, communities, marketplace and governance – in which the business has set 36 goals and annual targets.

The operator’s latest Sustainability Report details how 27 of 36 targets were met despite the challenges of the pandemic. Two targets had to be amended due to Covid and seven will continue to be worked on in 2022.

Audley reviewed its offering in five countries – Costa Rica, Tanzania, Thailand, Australia and India – to identify sustainable experiences and sealed renewable energy contracts for all its offices in London, Witney and Boston.

The operator also has a long-term carbon strategy to reduce most types of emissions by 68% by 2030. It said: “Audley’s focus is firmly on carbon reduction with carbon offsetting only used for the residual emissions.”

Audley has also taken steps on social mobility in the UK. Staff designed an initiative to use the knowledge of employees and suppliers to support young people exploring careers in travel. This sees the business connect with youths from different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds to help them understand sales, marketing, product, health and safety, HR and finance.

In addition, employees dedicated more than 650 hours to volunteering, with 27% of staff donating at least half a day. In 2022 the business aims for 40% of employees to take part.

Another initiative saw the establishment of the Audley Travel for Good community engagement fund. The Audley website now promotes a link for each charity partner, allowing clients and employees to make donations.

Heather Magnussen, Audley’s responsible travel and sustainability manager, said: “Responsible travel has always been part of Audley’s DNA.

“Since the beginning, we’ve strived to work with local people and businesses in the destinations we visit to benefit local communities and protect the environment. This sentiment has only grown stronger over the years.

“We were granted the Travelife Partner award in January 2020 in recognition of our long-term efforts and commitment and we look forward to constantly improving as we continue to learn from the people we work closely with across the world and with leaders in the sustainability community.”