Developed with Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF), the initiative measures emissions across accommodation suppliers in Sri Lanka.

Intrepid Travel has announced the launch of an initiative aimed at measuring the carbon footprint of its hotel supply chain across Sri Lanka. Implemented in collaboration with the Market Development Facility (MDF), an Australian Government-funded program supporting impactful economic growth, the initiative will establish baseline data, identify key emissions hotspots and provide actionable recommendations to improve environmental performance of participating properties in the region.

This follows the launch of Intrepid evolved Climate Action Plan in 2025, designed to accelerate decarbonization as a business by investing in practical, measurable solutions that support emissions reduction across its operations and supply chain. This Sri Lankan initiative will be supported by Intrepid’s Climate Impact Fund, which directs $2m AUD each year into practical, immediate emissions reductions in destinations around the world.

“This is a critical step in moving from ambition to action when it comes to climate responsibility,” said Poornaka Delpachitra, Country General Manager of Intrepid Sri Lanka. “By working closely with our accommodation suppliers, we’re not only measuring emissions but also building the capability and awareness needed to drive long-term, meaningful change across the tourism value chain.”

The initiative will assess emissions across Scope 1, 2, and selected Scope 3 categories across accommodation, aligned with internationally recognized standards such as the GHG Protocol and ISO frameworks. In addition to technical assessments, the program includes a strong capacity-building component, equipping the teams with the knowledge and tools required to manage sustainability data, track emissions, and implement improvement strategies to lower emissions over time.

Maryam Piracha, Country Director of MDF Sri Lanka, highlighted the importance of collaboration in driving change: “This partnership demonstrates how the private sector and development partners can work together to address climate challenges in a practical and scalable way. By focusing on data, capacity building, and long-term impact, this initiative sets a strong foundation for a more sustainable tourism industry in Sri Lanka.”

The initiative builds on Intrepid and MDF’s existing partnership in Sri Lanka, including previous programs focused on tourism workforce development and creating greater opportunities for women in the sector.

The tourism sector plays a vital role in Sri Lanka’s economy but also contributes significantly to resource consumption and carbon emissions. Through this project, Intrepid aims to support its accommodation suppliers in the transition to more efficient, environmentally responsible operations while enhancing their competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global travel landscape.

The project will be delivered in partnership with Peterson Solutions, a global sustainability consultancy, and will include comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) emission calculations alongside energy, water, and waste assessments across a wide network of Intrepid’s accommodation suppliers.

For more information about Intrepid’s global Climate Action Plan, visit: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/purpose/climate