Pelorus Foundation Announces new Climate Investment Fund

Pelorus Foundation’s new Climate Investment Fund is a dynamic investment portfolio made up of nature and technology-based solutions to remove carbon from the atmosphere, addressing travel emissions responsibly. Driven by a desire to take a hands-on approach to carbon emissions, the Fund creates sustainable partnerships directly with projects on the ground – supporting communities on the front line of the climate crisis and investing in technology that is pioneering carbon removal. Clients travelling with Pelorus have an opportunity to invest credits in the fund, allowing environmentally conscious individuals to address their travel emissions responsibly. Solutions to conserving our planet exist. It is simply a matter of investing in them.

To determine the amount of carbon credits needed to recompense its trips, Pelorus has now partnered with Greenly to create a bespoke carbon accounting platform. Strictly following the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, Pelorus’ travel designers can calculate emissions accurately and independently. By understanding the carbon footprint of a trip, Pelorus can offer clients practical advice on how to reduce emissions while still experiencing Pelorus’ unique brand of experiential adventure.

“Our Climate Investment Fund is proud to support carbon removal projects, pioneering-technology based solutions as well as nature-based solutions, that place the local population at the heart of projects,” comments Pelorus Co-Founder Geordie Mackay Lewis.

He adds: “The immense restorative power of nature itself is one of the most cost-effective ways to tackle climate change, yet there is also an urgent need to invest in novel technology that is pioneering the new methods needed to reverse climate change. Whilst we recognise that our Climate Investment Fund will not end climate change, it is a measure we take to reduce our impact on the environment, and ensure travel is a force of good.”

Through the fund, Pelorus is able to promote some of the world’s leading carbon removal projects to individuals; those with the capacity to make significant changes to the future of the planet. Two of the schemes are from Plan Vivo’s Standard certified portfolio which place the local population at the heart of the projects – ranging from reforestation in Timor Leste, to soil carbon sequestration in Mongolia. The first, Halo Verde, builds lasting partnerships with Timorese farmers by working together on agroforestry, land restoration, and sustainable agricultural practices. The latter, Pastures, Conservation, Climate Action, helps to develop and implement new approaches to restore degraded grasslands in rural Mongolia. 

The third, Running Tide, is a technology-driven blue carbon company that combines technology, science, and the natural processes of the ocean to put carbon back where it belongs by growing biomass and sinking it in the deep ocean. Founded by fishermen, Running Tide started by reinventing regenerative aquaculture and ecosystem restoration in Maine, United States. Now, their unique team of scientists, biologists, fishing captains, engineers, and welders are leading the blue carbon movement.

As the foundation enters its second year, other updates include the appointment of Justine Williams at the helm. Justine brings over 30 years’ of experience from the UK voluntary sector to the charity. Prior to joining Pelorus, she led fundraising and marketing teams in a range of UK and international charities, including Plan International, ActionAid, Practical Action and UK environmental charity, Garden Organic. Driving positive change, Justine has sourced funding to support people living in some of the poorest parts of the world - working with local community-based partners to help combat the effects of climate change, protect our environment, and ensure long-term biodiversity through environmentally conscious and sustainable projects.

Justine Williams, Head of the Pelorus Foundation comments: “I am delighted to join The Pelorus Foundation, a very special organisation that funds conservation and environmental projects that are close to my heart. Working together with our supporters and project partners, I look forward to helping build the Foundation and raising essential funds to support impactful projects. Our bigger picture goal? Helping to create a more sustainable world for people and wildlife, whilst conserving and protecting our planet for generations to come.”