The Zero Carbon Itinerary is the first four-day travel itinerary in Aotearoa that offers a non-stop experience of certified Zero Carbon tourism, accommodation, and hospitality providers in the Nelson-Tasman region. This Itinerary is for climate conscious travellers wanting to travel in a way that looks after the planet.
The tourism sector continues to impress us at Ekos. When Covid-19 hit our shores in 2020, Ekos was surprised to receive an increased interest from operators who had previously not had the time to reach out. By the end of 2020 the Nelson-Tasman region had over 15 operators in the tourism, accommodation and hospitality sector certified with Ekos as either Zero Carbon or Climate Positive.
Enjoy a beer at The Free House!
It was at this point that Gisella Purcell (Nelson Regional Development Agency - NRDA), Claire Keeling (Ekos) and Brendan Alborn (Alborn Enterprises), met as part of the Businesses for Climate Action’s tourism activation group. Together they realised that the Nelson-Tasman region had a grassroots movement of tourism businesses who were already well on their way to creating Aotearoa’s first net Zero Carbon tourism destination.
The NRDA took the lead and sat down to pull the itinerary together. The goal was a door to door Net Zero Carbon tourism experience – and that is exactly what they achieved.
So, what exactly does it mean to visit a certified Net Zero Carbon business as part of the Zero Carbon itinerary?
A business that is featured on the Itinerary has measured their organisation’s carbon footprint and gained an understanding of where emissions are produced in their operations. They use this information to develop a strategic emissions reduction plan. Offsetting and certification are the last steps in the process.
A nice Zero Carbon breakfast spread!
Implementing an emissions reduction plan takes time, so rather than letting the carbon pollution accumulate in the atmosphere, Net Zero Carbon certified businesses have chosen to take responsibility for their carbon impact by purchasing certified carbon credits from permanent restorative forest carbon projects such as the Rameka Forest Carbon Project in Mōhua, Golden Bay. Forest carbon projects in Ekos’ supply chain go beyond producing measured and verified carbon benefits. They also deliver a range of other benefits including improved freshwater habitat, biodiversity enhancement, reduced erosion and sedimentation of water ways, and enhanced climate resilience. So when an organisation goes Net Zero Carbon with Ekos it is simultaneously taking action on climate change, the biodiversity crisis, and sustainable land management.
Other regions (and other countries) have looked at the Zero Carbon Itinerary and thought about creating their own. Our dream is that someday soon, Nelson-Tasman will be able to link their Zero Carbon Itinerary with other Zero Carbon Itineraries hosted by Rotorua, Ōtautahi (Christchurch), Ōtepoti (Dunedin) and Wānaka?
Imagine a tourist arriving at Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) signing up to travel the length of Aotearoa on a full net Zero Carbon tour… Tourist dollars will be funding the measurement and reduction of emissions, and the restoration of our forests and degraded lands.
Zero Carbon Itineraries are a great way for Aotearoa to lead the world in sustainable and regenerative tourism.
So, what next? Well, if this is the kind of tourism that you want to see more of – then get on board and come along for the ride.
For further information on the itinerary:
https://www.nelsontasman.nz/visit-nelson-tasman/plan-your-trip/light-footprint-holidays/zero-carbon-itinerary/
Bookings for the full itinerary:
All photos provided by the Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA).