Sustainability booklet

SUSTAINABILITY BOOKLET

Adventure Alternative maintains a responsible corporate attitude, which is embedded in a business model that uses both its product and a significant proportion of its profits to tackle social inequity and the environmental impact of its holidays, and promote an equitable environment in which all employees can enjoy their rights and the benefits of tourism.

Adventure Alternative invests in setting up regional companies by providing capital, resources, advocacy, training and development in order that local people can have ownership and the security. Each company has access to all of the resources of the UK company in order to establish its own autonomy and financial sustainability by becoming a ground handler for other companies. In return for ‘using’ and benefitting from the AA brand, each company must sign up to the conditions itemised in this document, and agree to abide by these conditions for all its clients regardless of origin.

Adventure Alternative seeks to avoid, minimise and manage its impact on the environment, including climate change, biodiversity and ecosystems.

Adventure Alternative is open and fair about the way it treats the people it employs and follows strict guidelines on salaries, contracts and employee rights. We maintain a commitment to providing regional staff with fulltime salaries during the initial period of investment until the local company achieves its own financial sustainability.

Adventure Alternative engages with the local community to cooperate and support in significant issues which might impact either the business or the local community.

Adventure Alternative implements quality audits and constant monitoring in order to ensure a high value consumer product. All clients are encouraged to engage with the local staff beyond a ‘client/guide’ relationship in order that we can get firsthand feedback of the impact of our holidays on everyone.

Adventure Alternative implements a health and safety programme to protect the health and well-being of its guests, staff and other parties visiting the property.

©2012 Adventure Alternative

SUSTAINABILITY BOOKLET

Evidence: Policies All policy documents and contracts between companies are available for inspection.

Extracts of the policies are provided on notice boards in staff and guest rooms.

The business is compliant with all relevant international or local legislation and regulations covering health, safety, labour and environmental aspects Land use, design and construction is in compliance with local zoning and protected or heritage area laws and regulations.

Staff Correspondence and training courses to show that policies are being taught and followed.

Communications at senior level for managing human and financial resources Named individuals take responsibility for specified management areas as part of their job role, and receive training in that field Management reports showing regular monitoring of staff at senior level Employee development and welfare is monitored at meetings and discussed appropriately Employees are provided with a staff handbook.

The business has a performance appraisal system for employees

Client feedback The business issues, collects and analyses guest satisfaction questionnaires There is a record of corrective actions taken as a result of issues arising from customer feedback We ask clients to assist us with filling out social impact questionnaires.

Health and Safety Records of health and safety checks are kept and made available for inspection An accident log book is provided Environmental performance is measured, communicated to staff and customers, and made available to stakeholders.

Paperwork showing current and historical health and safety performance Environment and Community Meetings with the local community to show support and cooperation and benefits

Š2012 Adventure Alternative

SUSTAINABILITY BOOKLET

COMPANY CONDITIONS Employment Adventure Alternative provides all employees of the business with formal written contracts of employment, and this includes all regional companies using the ‘AA’ name and brand.

Adventure Alternative operates a policy of equitable employment rights according to international law for any employee in any company using the brand name of Adventure Alternative.

Adventure Alternative seeks to promote tourism as a career path for any of its employees with a programme of fair and equitable development and training.

Adventure Alternative will not exploit or discriminate against any employee of the company with regard to age, background, education, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity. We will always promote fair treatment and adherence to human rights for every individual.

Adventure Alternative gives its employees additional benefits beyond their legal entitlement.

Evidence All contracts are filed and regularly checked and updated where necessary Reference to contracts and to terms and conditions is made in meetings and in the staff guidelines Employees are free to enter their employment through their own choice and at the end of their employment leave their employment when they choose without penalty in accordance with their contract.

Employee’s personal documents (ID cards/Passports) and other effects, including deposits, are not held by the business.

Employees leaving the business are paid all monies due for work completed and able to remove their personal effects from the premises.

The organisation shall pay employees at least a living wage that is equal to or above the legal minimum.

Employees are discouraged from taking tips Working hours comply with national or international law or benchmark industry standards as defined by the destination, whichever affords employees most protection, and freely accepted by the employee. Contracts will specify required hours of work.

Overtime is paid, or time is given back as lieu, unless specific conditions relating to overtime have been agreed by the employee and written into their signed contract of employment.

Weekly or monthly wage requisition forms are prepared detailing overtime The business operates a manual record of working times.

Employees are given uniforms and clothing for their work, especially for climbing and trekking.

Employees are given free accommodation in the company guesthouses, meals when on trips, and insurance where necessary (for example, when trekking).

There are disciplinary procedures in place and staff are aware of them in the staff guidelines handbook, during induction and on-going training and by email communication.

There is a clear process which describes the consequences to staff of breaking the terms and conditions of their employment and failing to abide by the companies policies on staff presentation and behaviour.

The disciplinary procedure defines levels of misconduct and provides a structure for clear feedback and fair play.

There is a clear system whereby staff can make representations to senior management about employment issues, and this is also identified in the staff guidelines.

All communication and company matters are dealt with in a non-discriminatory manner.

Training is offered to members of the local community where possible and employment positions are given with a clear acknowledgement of other roles, e.g. farming in the hills of Nepal.

Employees can raise grievances and suggestions at any time with senior management.

We do not employ children and we comply with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and also national regulations regarding employment of children. ©2012 Adventure Alternative

SUSTAINABILITY BOOKLET

Energy Use Adventure Alternative is actively engaged in achieving a sustained reduction in energy consumption and can demonstrate such achievements against a baseline in which future and further savings can be measured.

Adventure Alternative is engaged in trying to achieve a sustained reduction in greenhouse emissions by whatever means.

Evidence Sources of energy are identified, including supplier details where possible.

Low energy fittings and best solutions are used to achieve efficient use of energy in all office spaces and guest houses. We replace electrical equipment with low energy alternatives.

Renewable sources of energy are captured on site and constitute a proportion of the total energy used by some of the business for direct use. We use solar panels in the guesthouse in Kathmandu and solar power on expeditions.

We try to minimise energy consumption by not using air conditioning and heating systems in areas where windows or external doors are open, and in areas that are unoccupied for substantial hours of the day.

We try to be aware of greenhouse gas emissions through staff training and awareness courses. In all cases we try to achieve a carbon neutrality and sign up to the 10:10 agreement.

Existing hot-water boilers fired with liquid or gaseous fuels should comply with efficiency standards at least equivalent to three stars as stated in the EU Directive or the local equivalent where possible.

The tourist accommodation shall comply with the national legislation and local building codes related to energy efficiency and the energy performance of buildings, including appropriate thermal insulation.

We put information in all the guesthouses to the guests asking them to turn off the lights when leaving the room and offering practical advice to reduce energy use.

Maintenance and servicing of boilers and air conditioning systems shall be carried out at least yearly, or more often if so required by law or need, by appropriately qualified professionals, following CEI and national standards where these apply, or according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Š2012 Adventure Alternative

SUSTAINABILITY BOOKLET

Water Equity and Waste Adventure Alternative tries to achieve a reduction in water consumption which can be measured.

Adventure Alternative tries to achieve a reduction in the weight (or compacted volume) of solid waste produced.

Evidence: Water-saving devices are fitted to reduce water consumption.

Staff, guests and visitors are regularly reminded to save water through posters and leaflets Water is delivered at the temperature it is required through a single outlet.

All WC’s are capable of delivering less than 6.5 litres of water in a single flush.

Each toilet has an appropriate waste bin and the guest shall be invited to use the waste bin instead of the toilet for appropriate waste.

We minimise waste by buying products in bulk packaging as opposed to items packed in small quantities and we try to purchase products with no packaging or bio-degradable packaging Water is provided in refillable containers instead of disposable plastic bottles The purchase of disposable and consumable goods is measured We try to actively encourage clients to separate recyclable waste from non-recyclable waste and educate them about public waste disposal facilities in the area.

We take advantage of public waste disposal methods which are regarded as responsible and organise collection and proper disposal of recyclable waste, for example glass, paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, light bulbs, batteries, food, and bio matter.

We use recycling bins and have posters and messages to instruct clients in their use.

We operate a donation scheme for old or unwanted clothing so that clients can donate to other members of the community, for example those being supported by the charity.

We operate a ‘Stuff your Rucksack’ idea with our clients, which encourages people to bring their unwanted belongings to our regional offices to donate to local businesses.

Any vehicle oils are disposed of correctly in national recycling centres.

We endeavour not to use any chemicals which might harm the environment, for example in our guesthouses.

Any chemicals used are logged, and any equipment using chemicals or CFCs/HCFCs is serviced correctly.

In our guesthouses and in the hotels we use we encourage the staff to promote minimal use of towels and linen by imposing a routine of fewer washes.

Staff training and awareness of environmental policy We train our staff in all countries on the necessity and importance of having an environmental policy and interest in protecting the environment.

We encourage our staff to support biodiversity conservation and be aware of all local and national initiatives to protect flora and fauna, and instruct clients in the correct way to behave.

We encourage our staff to be aware of their responsibility in promoting the environmental policy of the business and ensuring that clients follow it. We have staff posters, handbooks and training programmes provided by external providers.

©2012 Adventure Alternative

SUSTAINABILITY BOOKLET

Purchasing, services, community rights Adventure Alternative will always seek to buy sustainable brands and goods (e.g. locally produced, fair trade, organic, low carbon footprint and eco-labelled) and recommend such products and services to clients (e.g. souvenirs, consumables, food and equipment).

Adventure Alternative will always allow local people and community’s involvement in its holidays, allowing them to benefit from tourism and not be socially, culturally or economically harmed. Children are protected from tourism-related sexual exploitation and all potential forms of abuse.

Adventure Alternative will always endeavour to respect the rights of indigenous people including intellectual property rights and traditional access rights across land. We also invite them to promote their culture to our clients and discuss community issues.

Adventure Alternative actively promotes social responsibility in the supply chain through significant investment in resources and training, and by not allowing untried or untested third party providers.

Evidence: Minutes in company meetings are kept and training of staff and any suppliers is carried out.

Meetings are held with local communities and co-operatives to discuss any plans or holidays in the area.

We always work with the authorities, local chiefs, local elders and key stakeholders to discuss potential consequences of tourism in the area and we are respectful of their land and their rights as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. All our staff communicates in local language and we carry out regular informal checks and assessments.

Access to water sources is not impeded by the business We report any cases of abuse or malpractice involving guests and/or staff to the local authorities.

We provide our regional companies with advice and training on the sustainability policies and practices including its contribution to biodiversity conservation, natural resource management and community involvement. We do this internally with regular visits and also with external providers, for example Sustainable Travel International.

We provide information about the local traditions, culture, customs and local cultural heritage, mostly through our staff.

We use our own resources as far as possible in order to maintain high quality in the supply chain, for example with vehicles, tents and equipment, and we only use third party providers which can demonstrate safe and sound practices that honestly reflect our own conditions as much as possible.

We use the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) in our business model, and we require that each regional company using the AA brand name also signs up to the criteria and accepts the training and development which is offered internally and also by third party organisations such as Sustainable Travel International.

Š2012 Adventure Alternative

SUSTAINABILITY BOOKLET

Promotion of holidays Adventure Alternative will always seek to design and promote a holiday fairly and without artifice, with appropriate regard to the surroundings and the potential benefits to the community.

Evidence: Promotional materials are complete and accurate and do not promise more than can be delivered.

Natural and cultural heritage surroundings have been taken into account and the impact assessed of running a holiday in that area, especially in respect of gap trips, school trips and international development trips.

The design and implementation of any trip is based on the appropriate principle of sustainability which ensures that the holiday in not impinging on local resources, provides tangible benefit that has been discussed and identified and agreed by all the stakeholders, and is in the best interests of everybody.

Access is provided for persons with special needs where possible.

The holiday does not jeopardize the provision of basic water, energy or sanitation to the communities.

Historical and archaeological artefacts are not sold, traded, or displayed, except as permitted by law.

We try to use elements of local art, architecture, or cultural heritage in our holidays.

We minimise any disturbance of natural ecosystems and carry out rehabilitation projects where possible (for example tree planting in Borneo).

Our gap and voluntourism programmes specifically identify and work with needs that are determined by our charity Moving Mountains and their regional NGOs, and are based on the principle of promoting valuable international development as well as personal development.

We comply with all of the criteria as laid down by Fair Trade Volunteering.

Š2012 Adventure Alternative