Ethics

Responsible travel

Whilst we cannot pretend to have all the answers and we do not claim to live in total harmony with our environment, we do promise that the future of the planet is of utmost importance to us. It may seem to some to be a paradox to work in the travel business, particularly where long haul air travel is the norm, and to talk about minimising our carbon footprint. We answer with these thoughts: People will always travel. Man has done since the dawn of time. We cannot prevent this. Instead we strive to do business in a more enlightened way, where we take responsibility for the impact of our business on society and the environment, and move these impacts from negative to neutral, or better still, positive. It’s part of our quest to become a truly sustainable business, where we have a net positive effect on the wonderful world around us.

We pledge to tread lightly in all that we do, and to educate and encourage others to do the same as they pursue their desire to travel.

As a business

We actively re-use, reduce, recycle and offset as much as possible, whether it be office materials, energy use or staff travel. Whilst carbon reduction remains a primary objective, mindthegap recognises the need for opportunities to offset carbon too.

We also have a Responsible Volunteer policy, detailing how we conduct ourselves in the wider context.

For our volunteers

By travelling overland wherever possible, using public transport and by being sensitive to environmental needs of the communities in which they are placed, we aim to enrich the lives of all involved in our projects, whilst at the same time, minimizing any negative impact on the planet.

Useful links: http://www.thecarbonconsultancy.co.uk/pdfs/07-Lower_Carbon_Travel_Tips.pdf ; www.carbonresponsible.com.

Please also see our Guidelines for Volunteering

For our partner charities and NGOs

We only to choose to work with small, locally run charities and partner NGOs. Not only does this ensure that it is the host community who are benefiting, but we also believe that our volunteers will have a more enriching experience as local staff have a much more intimate knowledge of their regions. For the same reasons as above, we always employ local guides and drivers as this provides crucial employment and income for the local community. Our partner charities and NGOs have an awareness of responsible tourism policies and a strong environmental commitment. Responsible practice is one of the principle criteria during the selection of new partners, and ethical initiatives form a fundamental element in our ground arrangements.

We also work closely with our partner charities to source other specialist services where required. This ensures that as much revenue as possible remains in the host country as well as providing an experience with more genuine character for our volunteers.

Our responsible volunteer programmes have been fully explored and risk assessed by the mindthegap team and our partners.  All of these programmes have been set up to help address the current and future needs of local communities.

Respect

Communities can only sustain a certain number of volunteers at any one time. We will respect that and will advise you when space is available, rather than taking your money and sending you regardless of the impact on the communities and projects involved and consequences to yourself. If that does not suit, we will suggest another project, preferably in the same region or country, again space allowing. We will not place you until it suits the communities where our projects are based, so as to ensure the best possible experience for you and our partner projects.

We will also look at each individual volunteer and assess where your talents and skills will be best utilised. Unlike many of the larger travel companies we are small enough to know each project intimately and are therefore well equipped to place you where you can be of the greatest benefit.

Corporate Social Responsibility

The UK government describes its definition of Corporate Social Responsibility as follows:-

“The Government sees CSR as the business contribution to our sustainable development goals. Essentially it is about how business takes account of its economical, social and environmental impacts in the way it operates – maximising the benefits and minimising the downsides.”

“Specifically, we see CSR as the voluntary actions that business can take, over and above the compliance with minimum legal requirements to address its own competitive interests, and the interests of wider society.”
Source: www.csr.gov.uk

“Possibly the best definition of CSR is Impact Management, either positive or negative of a company’s impact on its employees, suppliers, the environment, communities and as a social catalyst.”
Source: http://www.thecarbonconsultancy.co.uk/pdfs/Defining-CSR.pdf

BS 8848

Specification for the provision of visits, fieldwork, expeditions, and adventurous activities, outside the United Kingdom

The new BSI standard has been developed for adventurous activities abroad with the aim of reducing the risk of injury or illness. It specifies requirements that have to be met by an organiser of adventurous trips conforming to good practice. It is aimed at expedition organisers, universities and other organisers of field trips, gap year travel companies and providers of adventurous holidays.

BS 8848 takes a start to finish approach requiring that one person or organisation is identified as the venture provider or expedition organiser with responsibility for all aspects of the trip including safety. If the organiser uses outside help for certain aspects of the venture such as transport, accommodation or an adventure element they need to ensure that their chosen suppliers follow the relevant requirements of the standard.