Kontiki is aware of the effects of travel on the climate and therefore follows the rule of thumb «reduce, optimise and compensate». In order to reduce CO2 emissions, we are testing alternatives to air travel and continue to promote travel by public transport. We optimise by favouring direct flights over open jaws and by developing attractive options to increase the length of stay. To offset the CO2, we offer our guests the opportunity to offset the CO2 emissions of their trip through our long-standing partner myclimate − 100% of which goes to a gold-standard carbon offset project in Uganda.
- Reduce: Kontiki is currently looking at alternatives to air travel and continues to promote active holidays and travel by public transport.
- Optimise: For at least 15 years, Kontiki has been continuously expanding its direct flight options and offers you attractive possibilities to extend the length of your stay.
- Offset: The CO2 emissions you offset through Kontiki flow into a myclimate carbon offset project in Uganda, in which, among other things, the «Solvatten» water purifier developed by the Swede Petra Wadström is used.
Why is the train alternative not yet an alternative?
For short distances of up to 500 kilometres (Zurich-Paris), travel by train can still keep up with air travel in terms of time and price. For medium-distance journeys, on the other hand, the proportion of train journeys is low. Destinations that can be reached within one day or one night are now considered «reasonable» (Zurich-Hamburg). The potential here is large and relevant. In order to exploit this potential, it is necessary, among other things, to expand the range of rail services for international transport. The Kontiki destinations all are at least 1,000 kilometres distant. Travelling by train to the north is already possible today. However, Kontiki does not yet offer it for the following reasons:
- The journey time is at least 18 hours.
- There are no direct connections.
- The connections are unreliable.
- The level of comfort often leaves a lot to be desired.
- Trains can only be booked two months before departure.
- As the prices are not known beforehand, it is not possible to make a quote.
Kontiki is monitoring the development of international rail travel and will publish the train alternative as soon as the framework conditions are favourable.
myclimate carbon offset project «Access to Safe Drinking Water in Uganda»
By offsetting your flight emissions via Kontiki Reisen, you contribute to the myclimate carbon offset project «Access to safe drinking water in Uganda». The primary objective of the programme is to disseminate water purification systems to low-income households in Uganda with new technologies to purify drinking water. The resulting reduced consumption of fossil fuels reduces CO2 emissions and at the same time has a positive impact on the living conditions and health of thousands of people.
Among other things, the project uses the «Solvatten» water purifier developed by the Swede Petra Wadström. This consists of a portable canister that uses only solar energy to purify and heat water. The container filled with 10 litres of water is unfolded and simply placed in the sun for two to six hours. A coloured indicator shows when the water is clean and safe to drink.
myclimate
myclimate is a non-profit foundation that is committed to sustainable climate protection worldwide.
Stiftung myclimate – The Climate Protection Partnership
Pfingstweidstrasse 10
8005 Zürich
www.myclimate.org