South Pacific community volunteering holiday

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

- This unique adventure volunteer experience creates critical access to potable water by using technologies that don't produce emissions (i.e., pollution).
- Our staff always book the most direct mode of feasible transport to our projects. When feasible if non-flight options are available, that is what we use. In addition, we share our direct route and alternative transportation findings with our participants when applicable.
- As international sustainable development specialists, with over 2 decades of global experience, our sustainability initiatives and achievements are formally recognized by the United Nations. We work with governments, multinationals, international organizations, NGOS, academia and communities worldwide to promote UN Sustainable Development Goals, one of which is the fostering of renewable energy (i.e., Goal 7). In addition, some of our projects are exclusively focused upon the design and building of renewable energy infrastructure.
- On some of our trips there is shared transport on a boat taking participants from one main island to another. As well, there will be shared bus/utility vehicle transport.
- As a small group we will be doing a number of exciting hikes through the stunning tropical areas, both coastal and inland on various days of the trip.
- We provide advice on how to reduce carbon impacts to any and all participants wishing to obtain such information.
- We promote the usage of electric vehicles when they are available.
- Both traditional and vegetarian meal options are available. There will be some smaller general vegan options available when possible.
- The majority of the food is to be locally sourced and seasonal. And yes, we do check the accommodations' food waste plans and policies to reduce (or switch to certified) palm oil, soy and forestry products.
- Our group actually provides formal training on Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions outside of our international development projects. For some of our trips/adventures we are able to measure some or all areas. We do not as yet have a measurement tool in place for this particular project.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

- On this particular project we are focused upon the design and building of water filtration systems to improve reliable access to clean water.- This unique adventure volunteer experience uses technologies that fit within natural environments without causing damage to either the environment or wildlife. In addition, they don't produce chemical or noise pollution.
- We always check environmental and wildlife factors as we specialize in comprehensive global sustainability issues. Therefore, we not only promote healthy environmental impacts, we design and build policies and infrastructure and specific projects to attain and maintain tangible reductions to environmental impact.
- The trip includes accommodations that promote nature restoration by having buildings that incorporate natural elements, such as rainwater harvesting, the use of natural building materials, that are integrated into natural areas without harming them, etc.
- We are working with the local community, as well as with the national government and main university. The nature of our work and projects is to help expedite very important international sustainable development work by circumventing traditional channels of support and aid by allowing participants the opportunity to donate to important projects, while also being able to actually take part in their donation by working alongside us on some of our projects.
- We donate our time and funds to the local community, as well as to the local and national governments and the national applicable university. When and where applicable we also work with environmental or wildlife NGOs operating in the country that have been recommended by different levels of government or the local community.
- We provide peer-reviewed, experiential science-based training on how to both reduce impacts on nature, as well as how to protect and foster natural systems in sustainable ways.
- When and where needed we have local experts from the community. Sometimes they are government or university staff or students with specialized qualifications.
- For many of our projects, this one included, invasive species can pose a risk to an island community. Therefore, we advise that people are aware and considerate to not take any chances by either introducing any species into the area, or removing any species from the area. This could include something as simple as a seashell or food item. Therefore, as part of our training session(s) we do address this issue.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

- All accommodations on this trip are locally owned.
- We work with the local community, government and university. We also take participants into various areas for exploration, which provides ample opportunities for them to spend additional funds, which adds additional support to the local economies. The very nature of our trips/projects is to work with the communities to design and foster serious sustainable development initiatives.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

- The vast majority of the people that we employ on all our projects (this one included) are from the countries that we conduct our work/projects/trips in. As a percentage, that would work out to be over 80%.
-For increased community advancement we work with the local governments and universities to share knowledge learned and foster greater sustainable development.
- We are working largely in remote communities. Therefore, they are typically not particularly wealthy communities. We work with the indigenous members, women, people with disabilities and design and build infrastructure for these, and other, groups, which benefits their quality of life through increased access to healthy food, potable water, clean energy, safe wildlife sanctuaries, access to healthcare and educational equipment; as well as providing economic opportunities for these communities.
- For locals we work directly with we do ensure the provision of fair market wages.
- Our workplace diversity strategy is focused upon including as many people who wish to participate in our work and projects as possible, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation or nationality.
- This trip is LGBTQ+ friendly.
- This trip is available to people with limited mobility, vision or hearing, or cognitive issues provided that they are both comfortable taking part in this, or other types of our trips/adventures/projects, and they are legally able to sign the mandatory waiver for our trips.
- This and our other trips/projects are focused upon important international sustainable development initiatives that directly address critical needs of different communities throughout the world. Needs which could include access to healthy food, clean water, reliable renewable energy, educational and healthcare related initiatives, wildlife concerns and issues and more. Therefore, our trips/projects directly address comprehensive issues that impact entire communities, and all those within them (i.e., people, plants, animals, etc.).
- We work with the local communities, governments, schools and individuals to ensure that the work we do is sustainable, by widely sharing our knowledge, experience, resources and collective efforts to promote comprehensive sustainable development.