The End of Carbon Offsetting—A Groundbreaking Turn

Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest certified B Corporation adventure travel company, has announced a seismic change in its approach to climate responsibility: it will no longer purchase carbon credits to offset travel emissions. Instead, the company will directly account for all carbon emissions generated by its tours—including flights, which comprise the largest portion of tourism’s climate footprint.

This marks a major departure from the standard in the travel industry, where offsetting emissions through credits has long been a leading—and often questioned—strategy to achieve “carbon neutrality.”

Why the Shift Was Necessary

Intrepid’s new climate stance comes amid increasing scrutiny of carbon offset programs. Numerous studies and investigative reports have revealed that many carbon offsets fail to provide real, measurable emission reductions or are difficult to verify. The company’s leadership has acknowledged that while the ambitions of the travel industry have grown, the gap between the sector’s climate goals and actual solutions—particularly in high-impact areas like air travel—is only widening.

In an official statement, Intrepid CEO James Thornton said, “We must be honest about where we are falling short and push for change, instead of relying on feel-good credits that may not address the heart of the problem.”

Making All Flight Emissions Count

Air travel accounts for about 2-3% of global carbon emissions, a number that is growing rapidly as international tourism rebounds post-pandemic. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the aviation sector is under acute pressure to decarbonize, but technological breakthroughs such as sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and electric aircraft remain years away from mainstream adoption. Intrepid’s approach now places flight emissions at the core of its environmental accounting, setting a new bar for transparency and sector leadership.

The company will publicly report all emissions related to its tour operations and customer travel, engaging stakeholders in open discussions about achievable climate action.

The Sector’s Reckoning With Offsetting

This decision comes at a time of increased skepticism around “net zero by 2050” pledges and offset-driven greenwashing. In the past year, several high-profile investigations, including by The Guardian and Bloomberg, have exposed issues with popular offset standards and the difficulty in confirming the climate benefits they claim. Intrepid’s move is a direct response to this mounting body of evidence, and an effort to rebuild trust with increasingly climate-conscious travelers.

In the first half of 2025, a Sustainable Travel International survey found that 67% of travelers now question the effectiveness of carbon offsets and prefer companies that take accountability through direct action—such as eliminating or reducing emissions at their source.

What Does This Mean for Travelers and the Industry?

• Honest Reporting: Intrepid will move to provide full carbon transparency for every trip, displaying estimated footprints—including air travel—so consumers can make informed choices.
• Direct Investment in Emissions Reductions: Funds previously allocated to offsetting will be directed towards in-house energy efficiency, lower-emission transportation options, and supporting net zero-ready operations in destinations.
• Advocacy and System Change: Intrepid is joining alliances to advocate for systemic change, including lobbying for government regulations on sustainable aviation fuels and stricter emissions standards for airlines.

This model may become a blueprint for travel operators worldwide who are struggling to demonstrate real progress toward sustainability, as pressure mounts from regulators and travelers alike.

Challenges That Remain

While Intrepid’s strategy brings new integrity to emissions disclosures, the largest challenge remains: there are limited near-term solutions for airlines to dramatically reduce their footprint. Electrification of aircraft is projected to make only a minor dent within the next decade, while sustainable fuels are still expensive and supplied in small quantities—accounting for less than 1% of all aviation fuel used in 2024.

Travel industry observers note that without sector-wide action, it will be exceptionally difficult to meet climate targets. To bridge the implementation gap, experts argue that government intervention, technological investment, and demand management are all critical. “The industry must move beyond voluntary programs and nice-sounding pledges. Regulation and pricing of carbon are crucial next steps,” says Dr. Simone Walker, transport sustainability consultant.

The Future of Sustainable Adventure Travel

By abandoning offsets and confronting its travel emissions head-on, Intrepid is catalyzing a much-needed conversation in the global tourism industry. The company has pledged to work collaboratively with supply chain partners, destinations, and customers to find innovative ways to minimize carbon output and create new models for climate-positive travel experiences.

Other major tour operators and industry groups are watching closely to see whether Intrepid’s new approach will enhance customer loyalty and market share, or simply raise the bar for sustainability accountability across the sector.

Conclusion: A Model for Real Climate Action

Intrepid Travel’s overhaul of its climate strategy marks a watershed moment for sustainable tourism, replacing marketing-friendly neutrality claims with direct transparency and measurable action. As the company challenges peers—and travelers—to recognize uncomfortable truths and embrace difficult tradeoffs, it is clear that accounting honestly for flight emissions is an essential next step in climate accountability for the global travel industry.