Climate Action Plan

Objective 1 — Measure Our Impact

We will continue to improve the accuracy and scope of our environmental data collection and carbon footprint measurement.

Actions

• Conduct annual carbon footprint assessments
• Measure Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions annually
• Improve tracking of Scope 3 emissions, including participant travel
• Introduce annual sustainability reporting processes
• Develop clearer emissions baselines for future target setting

SMART KPI

Measure and report 100% of operational emissions and participant flight emissions annually starting from 2026, using 2025 as the baseline year for future reduction targets.

Our process

Projects Abroad engaged Carbon Collaborate, a carbon consultancy, to calculate our total carbon emissions for 2025, including both our operations and participant activities such as accommodation, food, transport, and programme activities. Our total footprint was 1,326 tonnes of CO₂e.

Through our partnership with Ecologi, we funded certified climate projects equivalent to our total calculated emissions, including forest conservation and community projects that provide fuel-efficient cookstoves.

Objective 2 — Reduce Operational Emissions

We will reduce emissions associated with office operations, business travel, and internal activities in line with science-aligned climate targets.

Actions

• Improve office energy efficiency
• Reduce unnecessary business travel
• Encourage virtual meetings where appropriate
• Transition toward renewable electricity providers where feasible
• Promote lower-carbon commuting options
• Reduce waste, paper use, and resource consumption
• Improve emissions data collection and monitoring

SMART KPI

Reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 65% by 2035 from the 2025 baseline.

Objective 3 — Responsible Travel & Programme Operations

As an international travel organisation, we recognise that aviation and transport contribute significantly to our footprint. As the organisation continues to grow, we will focus on reducing emissions intensity (Emissions per participant-day) across our programmes and operations.

Actions

• Include sustainability guidance within pre-departure materials to improve participant awareness of responsible travel
• Prioritise the development of destinations closer to primary participant markets where appropriate, helping reduce travel distances and associated emissions
• Prioritise rail travel and other lower-carbon transport alternatives over domestic or short-haul flights where viable, particularly across programmes in Europe and Japan
• Improve efficiency of in-country logistics and operational transport planning
• Implement fixed arrival and departure dates where operationally feasible to reduce the frequency of airport transfers and associated vehicle use
• Prioritise direct flights for group travel, staff, and chaperones where practical to reduce emissions associated with multiple take-off and landing cycles
• Encourage longer-duration and more operationally efficient programmes where appropriate
• Explore incentives or subsidies for lower-carbon staff travel and increased use of public transport where feasible
• Encourage locally sourced food and supplies where feasible to help reduce transport-related emissions and support local economies
• Improve emissions measurement and reporting systems for participant travel and programme delivery
• Provide participants with practical tools and educational resources, including the Ecologi flight calculator, to help them better understand and address the environmental impact of their travel
• Continue evaluating opportunities to reduce travel-related emissions over time

SMART KPI

Reduce Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2035 from the 2025 baseline, while monitoring emissions intensity per participant-day as a secondary performance indicator.

Objective 4 — Supplier & Partner Engagement

We recognise that our environmental impact extends through our supply chain and partnerships.

Actions

• Strengthen environmental procurement practices by prioritising eco-certified accommodation providers and suppliers with recognised sustainability commitments
• Continue developing relationships with suppliers and partners that share our environmental and ethical standards
• Include sustainability checkers in the partner’s self-assessment processes
• Integrate sustainability considerations into procurement decisions

SMART KPI

80% of local partners complete sustainability self-assessments by June 2027.

Objective 5 — Staff Engagement & Governance

Climate action requires organisation-wide participation and accountability.

Actions

• Deliver annual sustainability awareness training
• Include environmental responsibilities within relevant teams
• Improve internal sustainability communications
• Encourage staff participation in sustainability initiatives
• Review progress annually at leadership level

SMART KPI

90% of staff complete annual sustainability training each year.

Objective 6 — Climate & Nature-Based Solutions

While emissions reduction remains our priority, we acknowledge that some residual emissions may remain difficult to eliminate in the short to medium term.

Since 2023, Projects Abroad has supported certified climate and ecosystem restoration initiatives through partnerships including Ecologi. Our future approach will increasingly prioritise measurable emissions reductions while supporting credible climate and nature-based solutions for residual emissions.

Actions

• Continue supporting verified climate and nature-based projects
• Prioritise projects linked to ecosystem restoration, biodiversity, and community resilience
• Review climate contribution strategy annually
• Improve transparency regarding climate claims and communications
• Avoid misleading or unsubstantiated environmental claims
• Explore future carbon removal approaches for long-term residual emissions

SMART KPI

Maintain annual investment in verified climate and nature-based projects for residual emissions while increasing emissions reduction activities year-on-year.

Objective 7 — Long-Term Net Zero Commitment

Projects Abroad is committed to supporting the global ambition to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. We recognise that achieving this ambition requires sustained emissions reductions across our operations, value chain, and programme delivery.

Actions

• Maintain and periodically strengthen our greenhouse gas reduction targets in line with evolving climate science and best practice.
• Develop and implement a long-term decarbonisation roadmap covering Scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
• Continue improving emissions measurement, particularly across Scope 3 categories.
• Integrate climate considerations into strategic planning, operational decision-making, procurement, and programme development.
• Review emerging technologies, industry guidance, and opportunities for emissions reductions and carbon removals.
• Engage stakeholders, including staff, participants, suppliers, and partners, to identify challenges, opportunities, and improvements to our climate strategy.
• Review this Climate Action Plan and associated targets at least every 36 months, or sooner if significant changes occur in climate science, organisational activities, stakeholder expectations, or regulatory requirements.

SMART KPI

Commit to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 by 2050 at the latest, supporting the global ambition to limit global warming to 1.5°C. This will be achieved by reducing emissions by at least 90% from the 2025 baseline and addressing any residual emissions through credible carbon removal solutions.

Progress against this Climate Action Plan will be reviewed annually by leadership teams and relevant stakeholders.

Monitoring will include:

• Annual carbon footprint reporting
• KPI tracking and target monitoring
• Supplier engagement monitoring
• Sustainability training completion
• Operational reduction initiatives
• Review of climate-related communications and claims
• Stakeholder feedback collection and review
• Consideration of stakeholder concerns, challenges, risks, and improvement suggestions

Stakeholder Engagement & Feedback

Projects Abroad recognises that effective climate action requires ongoing engagement with stakeholders who are affected by, or can influence, our environmental performance and climate objectives.

Key stakeholder groups include:

• Employees and expedition leaders
• Participants and travellers
• Parents, teachers, and educational partners
• Local staff and in-country teams
• Suppliers, accommodation providers, and transport partners
• Community partners and host organisations
• Sustainability partners and relevant industry bodies

Stakeholder feedback may be gathered through:

• Annual employee surveys and staff consultations
• Participant feedback surveys and programme evaluations
• Supplier self-assessments and partner reviews
• Customer, school, and educator feedback processes
• Meetings with local teams and operational stakeholders
• Sustainability reporting and stakeholder discussions
• Direct stakeholder enquiries, complaints, suggestions, and grievances

Climate-related stakeholder feedback will be reviewed annually as part of the implementation and monitoring of this Climate Action Plan.

A formal review of stakeholder feedback, climate targets, implementation progress, and resource allocation will be conducted at least every 36 months.

Stakeholder feedback will be used to:

• Identify environmental risks, challenges, and emerging issues
• Evaluate the effectiveness of climate initiatives and reduction measures
• Inform future climate objectives and priorities
• Improve operational practices and programme delivery
• Strengthen supplier engagement and procurement decisions
• Update climate targets, actions, and resource allocation where appropriate

The Climate Action Plan will be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect:

• Stakeholder feedback and engagement outcomes
• Operational challenges and lessons learned
• Suggestions and improvement opportunities identified internally and externally
• Organisational growth and changing business activities
• Regulatory developments
• Evolving climate science and best practice
• Progress against established climate targets and objectives

A formal review of this Climate Action Plan, associated targets, and implementation resources will be undertaken at least every 36 months to ensure continued alignment with organisational priorities, stakeholder expectations, and the global ambition to limit warming to 1.5°C.