Michael is also committed to sustainable travel and some of the profits are invested in a Global Portfolio of programs managed by the company Carbon Footprint to create a positive effect of “carbon balancing” rather than just offsetting. Michael believes that the travel industry can be a powerful catalyst for positive change. His business is aligned with Virtuoso’s own in-house sustainability program and that of their three pillars: celebrate the culture, support the economy, and protect the planet. 

One example is our commitment to carbon balancing: Michael works with Carbon Footprint Limited with their carbon calculator to calculate the clients’ carbon flight footprint, transparently adding the cost as an optional extra to each residents invoice and committing to matching the exact same amount. For example, a recent return economy flight from London to California produced 2.96 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and choosing to contribute to their Global Portfolio cost £26.50. Michael then contributed a further £26.50 so creating a positive balance to the carbon footprint of this trip.

The decision to work with Carbon Footprint Ltd was easy because they are the first choice for blue-chip and mid-market companies through to SME’s and public sector organisations. They share a common responsible aim to track and reduce carbon emissions 'at source' as much as possible and to compensate for unavoidable emissions - via carbon offsetting - to render their activities to be net zero carbon/carbon neutral. 
More details can be found at: www.carbonfootprint.com
 

Many of the carbon offsetting projects (from wind based energy, solar power, hydro-electric, biomass conservation and preventing deforestation) also provide additional benefits such as biodiversity, education, jobs, food security, clean drinking water and heath & well-being in developing countries.

Your Riverstone Travel Designer also promotes sustainable hotels and practices and those partners that give back to communities. Michael says “we are committed to a path of sustainable travel and look forward to sharing this journey with you “. 

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