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WorldXchange Renews Its Climate Positive Commitment and Takes a Step Further with LATA Responsible Tourism Awards Application

At Green Initiative, we proudly celebrate the ongoing climate leadership of our partner: WorldXchange. In 2025, WorldXchange not only renewed its Climate Positive Certification — maintaining its role as the first and only currency exchange company in the world with this distinction — but also took a bold step forward by submitting its application for the prestigious LATA Responsible Tourism Awards 2025 in the Nature-Positive Tourism category. This recognition is a testament to the company’s deep-rooted vision: tourism and finance can, and must, be forces for positive change. Elevating Tourism’s Second Face: From Currency Exchange to Environmental Stewardship WorldXchange operates in Peru’s major tourist corridors, with offices in Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa — cities that are gateways to some of the most biodiverse and culturally rich regions of Latin America. Although primarily a financial service provider, WorldXchange understood early on that its strategic position within airports — the “first and last impression” of many visitors — placed it at the heart of the tourism value chain. In partnership with Green Initiative, WorldXchange adopted a robust Measure-Reduce-Offset (MRV) strategy, achieving verified emissions reductions, supporting reforestation projects in the Amazon region of Madre de Dios, and engaging over 250,000 travelers annually in education efforts about climate, biodiversity, and regenerative tourism practices. Beyond internal transformation, WorldXchange’s leadership helped catalyze broader change: after its carbon-neutral and Climate Positive achievements, Lima Airport updated its concession contracts to require environmental accountability from all vendors — a ripple effect that now influences one of Latin America’s busiest airports. A New Milestone: LATA Responsible Tourism Awards Application This year, WorldXchange has taken another major step by submitting its candidacy for the LATA Responsible Tourism Awards under the Nature-Positive Tourism category. Their application highlights several key achievements: WorldXchange’s story perfectly exemplifies how companies traditionally outside the “green tourism” space can fully embrace regenerative practices — and even lead sectoral transformation. Looking Ahead: Sustaining and Expanding Climate Leadership As WorldXchange continues its journey, the company remains committed to deepening its climate and nature-positive impact. In 2025, it is finalizing its latest carbon footprint assessment and preparing new targets to further lower its emissions and environmental footprint per traveler served. At Green Initiative, we are proud to stand beside WorldXchange as it redefines the role of financial service providers in sustainable tourism. Their achievements are a clear reminder that climate-positive leadership can — and must — be integrated across every link of the tourism value chain. Congratulations to the entire WorldXchange team for their renewed certification, their bold steps forward, and their unwavering commitment to a more sustainable future! This article was written by Ella Baehringer from the Green Initiative team Related reading

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Greenhushing – Why Some Companies Stay Silent About Sustainability and Why Transparency is Key

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The Growing Role of Sustainability in Business Sustainability has become a crucial focus for businesses worldwide, with organizations investing in climate-positive initiatives, nature-positive solutions, and obtaining climate certifications to align with global environmental goals. However, a surprising trend is emerging—many companies are choosing to stay silent about their sustainability efforts. This phenomenon, known as “greenhushing,” refers to companies deliberately downplaying or avoiding publicizing their environmental progress. While this may seem counterintuitive, it is often driven by: Despite these concerns, businesses that embrace authentic and transparent sustainability communication not only build consumer trust but also position themselves as leaders in the global transition to climate and nature-positive solutions. For industries like travel and tourism, where sustainability and regenerative tourism are becoming key decision factors for eco-conscious travelers, hiding environmental initiatives can mean missing out on business growth and industry leadership opportunities. Why Some Companies Choose to “Greenhush” Several factors contribute to the reluctance to communicate sustainability achievements: 1. Fear of Accusations of Greenwashing 2. Complexity and Uncertainty in Sustainability Metrics 3. Regulatory and Legal Risks 4. Fear of Backlash from Activists and Consumers Why Transparency in Sustainability Matters While greenhushing may seem like a low-risk strategy, staying silent comes with significant downsides: 🌱 Loss of Consumer Trust 📈 Missed Business Opportunities 🌍 Lack of Industry Leadership How Companies Can Avoid Greenhushing While Staying Credible Instead of avoiding sustainability discussions, businesses should focus on clear, measurable, and transparent communication. ✅ 1. Use Verified Data & Certifications ✅ 2. Set Realistic Goals & Show Progress Rather than presenting sustainability as an all-or-nothing achievement, businesses should: ✔️ Show incremental progress and acknowledge challenges✔️ Highlight measurable results rather than vague claims✔️ Make sustainability part of their brand storytelling For example:💡 “We are on track to reduce carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 and are working toward achieving net-zero by 2040.” 💡 “Through our partnership with Forest Friends, we have planted 50,000 trees in deforested areas, restoring biodiversity and sequestering carbon.” ✅ 3. Engage Stakeholders Honestly Being open about what’s working and what still needs improvement builds credibility. Businesses can leverage: 📢 Annual Sustainability Reports – Provide detailed environmental impact data📢 Social Media Updates – Share sustainability stories and milestones📢 Webinars & Public Discussions – Educate stakeholders and showcase sustainability commitment📢 Collaboration with Environmental Organizations – Strengthen industry partnerships In the travel and tourism sector, transparency can mean:🏨 Eco-lodges sharing energy-saving initiatives🚢 Yacht charters promoting low-impact marine tourism✈️ Airlines showcasing carbon offset programs ✅ 4. Follow Standardized Reporting Frameworks Adopting globally recognized reporting standards ensures: The most recognized frameworks include:📊 Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) – Comprehensive sustainability reporting📊 Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) – Climate action goal alignment A Future of Climate-Positive and Nature-Positive Business Leadership While greenhushing may seem like a short-term risk reduction strategy, staying silent about sustainability can be just as risky as greenwashing. Companies that embrace transparent, data-backed sustainability communication will:✔️ Build consumer trust✔️ Strengthen brand reputation✔️ Position themselves as industry leaders In travel and tourism, where regenerative tourism is gaining momentum, businesses that share their sustainability journey will lead the way toward a more responsible and sustainable industry. 🚀 The future belongs to companies that take bold, transparent steps toward a climate and nature-positive world. Take Action With the Right Partners If your company is working toward sustainability and wants to communicate its efforts strategically and effectively, we can help! ✅ Green Initiative offers climate certifications for businesses looking to prove their commitment to climate and nature-positive practices. ✅ Forest Friends provides reforestation certifications, allowing individuals and businesses to support tree-planting efforts in endangered areas. 📢 Ready to position your brand as a sustainability leader? Let’s talk to start your journey today.

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Inkaterra Cabo Blanco: A Global Model for Regenerative Tourism and Sustainable Sport Fishing

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Cabo Blanco, a small fishing village on the northern coast of Peru, holds a unique place in maritime history. Once a legendary destination for sport fishing—attracting figures such as Ernest Hemingway—it is now at the center of an ambitious initiative to promote regenerative tourism, marine conservation, and climate-positive economic development. Through the efforts of Inkaterra Hotels, a leading Climate Positive Certified hospitality group, and Inkaterra Asociación, a nonprofit organization dedicated to biodiversity research and conservation, Cabo Blanco is transitioning towards a nature-positive future—one that restores ecosystems, empowers local communities and creates long-term economic value through sustainable tourism. A Legacy of Sport Fishing in Cabo Blanco During the 1950s, Cabo Blanco gained international recognition as a premier destination for big-game fishing, particularly for black marlin, with record-breaking catches exceeding 700 kg. However, decades of overfishing, habitat degradation, and climate change have led to a dramatic decline in marine populations, threatening both the ecosystem and the livelihoods of local fishing communities. To counteract these impacts, conservation initiatives have been set in motion to restore marine biodiversity while ensuring sustainable tourism remains a viable economic driver. One of the most significant steps toward this goal is the proposal for Peru’s first marine reserve, which aims to protect critical habitats, replenish fish populations, and regulate responsible fishing practices. Sustainable Sport Fishing: A Regenerative Approach While sport fishing remains a core attraction in Cabo Blanco, adopting regenerative fishing practices, such as catch-and-release policies, ensures that tourism supports, rather than depletes, the region’s marine resources. Key Benefits of Sustainable Sport Fishing: Regenerative Tourism and Marine Conservation in Cabo Blanco Beyond fishing, Cabo Blanco is evolving into a hub for regenerative tourism, where visitors actively contribute to the ecosystem’s health rather than merely minimizing their impact. Inkaterra Asociación, in collaboration with scientists, conservationists, and local communities, is implementing nature-positive solutions to rebuild degraded marine and coastal environments. Regenerative Tourism Initiatives in Cabo Blanco: Inkaterra’s Climate and Nature-Positive Impact As a Climate Positive Certified company, Inkaterra Hotels goes beyond sustainability by actively removing more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits. In Cabo Blanco, its impact is being realized through: By aligning with global climate goals and nature-positive principles, Inkaterra Asociación and Inkaterra Hotels prove that tourism can be a force for environmental regeneration rather than exploitation. A Scalable Model for Global Conservation The transformation of Cabo Blanco into a regenerative tourism destination serves as a blueprint for coastal communities worldwide. By combining scientific research, sustainable economic development, and active ecosystem restoration, this initiative demonstrates how tourism can be reimagined as a tool for global climate action and biodiversity protection. How to Support Regenerative Tourism in Cabo Blanco: Conclusion Cabo Blanco is undergoing a profound transformation—from a historic fishing hotspot to a global leader in regenerative tourism and conservation. By prioritizing marine restoration, responsible tourism practices, and community engagement, this initiative ensures that future generations can continue to experience this iconic destination’s natural and cultural richness. As the world moves toward more climate-resilient and nature-positive tourism models, Inkaterra’s work in Cabo Blanco is a powerful example of how travel can catalyze ecological regeneration and socio-economic prosperity. For more information on regenerative tourism and conservation efforts, visit Green Initiative and contact us.

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