ABTA offers new series of free workshops for members on biodiversity and travel
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dhewitt@abta.co.uk Tue, 10/01/2024 - 12:43
ABTA has launched a new programme of free training workshops exclusively for ABTA members to help them develop their understanding and knowledge of the links between biodiversity and travel and tourism, and how they can incorporate these into their sustainability plans.
The programme is called Biodiversity Literacy for Travel and Tourism Workshops, and they are being delivered in collaboration with biodiversity in tourism experts ANIMONDIAL.
Biodiversity, which encapsulates all living things including plants, animals, organisms and the different habitats they live in, is intrinsically linked to travel and tourism and ensures its long-term resilience.
Over 80% of travel and tourism’s goods and services rely on nature and its biodiversity1. Since 1970, global biodiversity has dropped by 70%2.
Travel and tourism has great potential to support the protection and recovery of biodiversity, which is particularly important given that preserving nature and biodiversity is part of the solution to the climate and pollution crises.
Through the workshops members will learn how to incorporate activities into their sustainability plans that can protect nature, uplift local communities and regenerate destinations. They will also learn about the UN Biodiversity Plan, the new global goals for nature, and the business obligations that are already being implemented through disclosure requirements, like the CSRD, and regulations like the Green Claims Code.
The workshops are suitable for individuals working across the sector including tour operators and travel agents, and people working in roles such as sustainability, legal, product management, communication and marketing, and supply chain management.
Members can attend the workshops virtually or in person at ABTA’s office in London. The training includes materials that participants will use during the course and can be kept for future reference. Each workshop is 90 minutes long, and the workshop themes, dates and times are as follows:
Members can sign up to the workshops here. Those who attend all five workshops will receive a certificate of attendance on completion.
Carol Rose, Head of Sustainability at ABTA – The Travel Association said:
“As an industry, we are acutely aware of the impact of climate change on the world, and to destinations, and the need to take action. Decarbonisation is one part of the solution, restoring nature and biodiversity is another.
“Biodiversity and fully functioning ecosystems are essential for achieving sustainability and Net Zero goals. Businesses must therefore minimise their operational impacts on nature and contribute to nature protection and destination regeneration.
“It’s a topic that the industry has been looking at more and more in recent years, but it’s an area of expertise which not many are familiar with, which is why we are pleased to be offering members these free workshops to help develop their insight.”
Helen Usher, Co-Founder and Director, ANIMONDIAL said:
“Nature and biodiversity are increasingly important topics for travel and tourism. Pressure is mounting from international initiatives and national legislation as well as investor, consumer and client/supplier expectations.
“These Biodiversity Literacy in Travel & Tourism webinars not only provide a clear explanation of the current situation but will give participants a fundamental understanding of the underlying topics that allows them to navigate this changing landscape.”
Notes to editors
1UN Tourism - External Link
2Living Planet Report - https://livingplanet.panda.org/en-GB/
ABTA is a trade association for UK travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry. We’re the largest travel trade body, with over 4,600 travel brands in membership who have a combined pre-pandemic annual UK turnover of £40 billion. We work closely with our members to help raise and maintain standards and build a more sustainable travel industry, and provide travellers with advice, guidance and support.
Our members sign up to a code of conduct and commit to agreed service standards and fair trading. When you need clear travel information, and accurate and impartial advice relating to your trip, we’re here for you. When you book with an ABTA member, reliable advice comes as standard. This means that booking with our members brings peace of mind.
All this together means we help you travel with confidence. www.abta.com
About ANIMONDIAL
ANIMONDIAL is a specialist consultancy working with travel and tourism businesses to improve animal welfare, halt biodiversity loss and ensure nature’s recovery. Widely considered a thought leader in the global sector, ANIMONDIAL has co-created internationally established animal welfare guidelines, developed NATOUR IMPACT, an evaluation tool for businesses to assess their nature-related risk, and established the widely adopted Nature Positive Tourism initiative.
Supporting travel & tourism to manage their nature-related risks. External Link
Continue reading...
Full Page image
dhewitt@abta.co.uk Tue, 10/01/2024 - 12:43
ABTA has launched a new programme of free training workshops exclusively for ABTA members to help them develop their understanding and knowledge of the links between biodiversity and travel and tourism, and how they can incorporate these into their sustainability plans.
The programme is called Biodiversity Literacy for Travel and Tourism Workshops, and they are being delivered in collaboration with biodiversity in tourism experts ANIMONDIAL.
Biodiversity, which encapsulates all living things including plants, animals, organisms and the different habitats they live in, is intrinsically linked to travel and tourism and ensures its long-term resilience.
Over 80% of travel and tourism’s goods and services rely on nature and its biodiversity1. Since 1970, global biodiversity has dropped by 70%2.
Travel and tourism has great potential to support the protection and recovery of biodiversity, which is particularly important given that preserving nature and biodiversity is part of the solution to the climate and pollution crises.
Through the workshops members will learn how to incorporate activities into their sustainability plans that can protect nature, uplift local communities and regenerate destinations. They will also learn about the UN Biodiversity Plan, the new global goals for nature, and the business obligations that are already being implemented through disclosure requirements, like the CSRD, and regulations like the Green Claims Code.
The workshops are suitable for individuals working across the sector including tour operators and travel agents, and people working in roles such as sustainability, legal, product management, communication and marketing, and supply chain management.
Members can attend the workshops virtually or in person at ABTA’s office in London. The training includes materials that participants will use during the course and can be kept for future reference. Each workshop is 90 minutes long, and the workshop themes, dates and times are as follows:
- Biodiversity Basics - Wednesday 13 November 2024 2-3.30pm
- Understanding the State of Nature - Wednesday 20 November 2024 2-3.30pm
- One Planet – One Plan - Tuesday 26 November 2024 3.30-5.00pm
- Business Action for Nature - Tuesday 3 December 2024 2-3.30pm
- Collaborating for Change - Wednesday 11 December 2024 2-3.30pm
Members can sign up to the workshops here. Those who attend all five workshops will receive a certificate of attendance on completion.
Carol Rose, Head of Sustainability at ABTA – The Travel Association said:
“As an industry, we are acutely aware of the impact of climate change on the world, and to destinations, and the need to take action. Decarbonisation is one part of the solution, restoring nature and biodiversity is another.
“Biodiversity and fully functioning ecosystems are essential for achieving sustainability and Net Zero goals. Businesses must therefore minimise their operational impacts on nature and contribute to nature protection and destination regeneration.
“It’s a topic that the industry has been looking at more and more in recent years, but it’s an area of expertise which not many are familiar with, which is why we are pleased to be offering members these free workshops to help develop their insight.”
Helen Usher, Co-Founder and Director, ANIMONDIAL said:
“Nature and biodiversity are increasingly important topics for travel and tourism. Pressure is mounting from international initiatives and national legislation as well as investor, consumer and client/supplier expectations.
“These Biodiversity Literacy in Travel & Tourism webinars not only provide a clear explanation of the current situation but will give participants a fundamental understanding of the underlying topics that allows them to navigate this changing landscape.”
Notes to editors
1UN Tourism - External Link
2Living Planet Report - https://livingplanet.panda.org/en-GB/
ABTA is a trade association for UK travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry. We’re the largest travel trade body, with over 4,600 travel brands in membership who have a combined pre-pandemic annual UK turnover of £40 billion. We work closely with our members to help raise and maintain standards and build a more sustainable travel industry, and provide travellers with advice, guidance and support.
Our members sign up to a code of conduct and commit to agreed service standards and fair trading. When you need clear travel information, and accurate and impartial advice relating to your trip, we’re here for you. When you book with an ABTA member, reliable advice comes as standard. This means that booking with our members brings peace of mind.
All this together means we help you travel with confidence. www.abta.com
About ANIMONDIAL
ANIMONDIAL is a specialist consultancy working with travel and tourism businesses to improve animal welfare, halt biodiversity loss and ensure nature’s recovery. Widely considered a thought leader in the global sector, ANIMONDIAL has co-created internationally established animal welfare guidelines, developed NATOUR IMPACT, an evaluation tool for businesses to assess their nature-related risk, and established the widely adopted Nature Positive Tourism initiative.
Supporting travel & tourism to manage their nature-related risks. External Link
Continue reading...
