Recreational Equipment, Inc. and its adventure travel company, REI Adventures, have entered into a partnership with Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) to compensate for the greenhouse gas impact of all REI Adventures trips and REI Outdoor School outings. BEF is a leading nonprofit environmental foundation that markets green power products and funds new renewable energy projects.
Starting in 2007, REI Adventures will purchase BEF Green Tags, or renewable energy credits, to offset the greenhouse gas impacts of air, water and ground travel associated with all excursions. BEF Green Tags are created when renewable energy such as solar and wind power are substituted to local utilities for energy generated by burning fossil fuels which are linked to global warming. Each BEF Green Tag offsets the carbon produced by 1,030 miles of air travel, and is equivalent to 1,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy.
REI Adventures expects to purchase more than 52,000 BEF Green Tags in the coming year, offsetting more than 36,000 tons of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels are the largest source of climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions. This amount equates to the annual CO2 emissions of approximately 6,200 average gas-powered cars, or powering nearly 5,000 typical U.S. homes for a year with 100 percent renewable energy. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's list of top renewable energy purchasers, today's announcement would place REI among the 20 largest purchasers nationally.
“REI Adventures is a long-time proponent of responsible travel and our partnership with Bonneville Environmental Foundation supports REI's commitment to environmental stewardship to reduce our overall impact on the planet,” said John Sheppard, REI Adventures general manager. “We are pleased to partner with BEF to bring carbon- neutral travel to our customers. The organization is one of the country's most innovative social enterprises because it combines the business and mission of supporting renewable energy.”
“In the growing field of sustainable travel, REI Adventures stands out for its level of commitment. Some travel providers are offering green travel at a more modest level, or as an optional purchase, but REI Adventures is the first to automatically offset the global warming impacts of its entire catalog of trips including air travel to and from the trip destination,” said Tom Starrs, vice president of marketing and sales for BEF. “In addition, REI Adventures' pioneering initiative will increase awareness of the environmental impacts of travel and tourism, encouraging others individuals and businesses alike to follow its lead. This program really is a different, deeper shade of green.”
Beyond travel, BEF is offering REI customers the opportunity to purchase BEF Green Tags to offset the environmental impacts of the energy they use in their homes and for commuting. In return, customers will receive a $20 REI Gift Card from BEF for a Green Tag purchase of $120 or more, and a $40 REI Gift Card for a purchase of $200 or more.
