SEATTLE -- Ensemble Travel Group partnered with the
nonprofit Cool Effect
to offset the carbon footprint of the consortium's 2019 International
Conference at the Hyatt Regency here.
Ensemble's partnership with Cool Effect, an organization
dedicated to reducing carbon emissions around the world, also extends to
members with the nonprofit's Travel Offset Tool
that agencies can use to offset air travel’s carbon footprint. The tool will be
integrated into Ensemble’s agent platform.
Ensemble CEO David Harris announced the partnership on stage
during the conference with Jodi Manning, Cool Effect's director of marketing, following
a panel on sustainability.
"Carbon emissions from travel are only increasing -- with
air travel alone projected to hit one billion [metric] tons in 2020 -- so
it's crucial for the industry to take steps in reducing carbon pollution,"
Manning said in a statement. "We are honored to work with Ensemble in becoming
a leader in the sustainable travel space."
Ensemble is offsetting the carbon footprint of the
conference itself and all of its attendees' travel to Seattle with a monetary
amount calculated by Cool Effect. The funds will be directed to the nonprofit's
Jacunda Forest Reserve
carbon reduction project in Brazil, which protects rubber trees and provides
local jobs.
Harris also announced a partnership with Travel Care Code, a
network of academics and professionals that encourage responsible travel. More
details are forthcoming, but Travel Care Code will provide Ensemble members
with useful information and materials to further discussions about sustainable
travel with their clients.