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Be confident that sustainability and responsible tourism are at the heart of your Vagabond or Driftwood small-group tours of Ireland.

To cement this commitment, we have joined the Tourism Declares A Climate Emergency initiative.

Our Declaration

  • 💚 We declare our shared commitment to unite all stakeholders in transforming tourism to deliver effective climate action.
  • 0️⃣ We support the global commitment to halve emissions by 2030 and reach Net Zero as soon as possible before 2050, in line with the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism
  • 🌍 We will consistently align our actions with the latest scientific recommendations, so as to ensure our approach remains consistent with a rise of no more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100.

As a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, we commit to:

  • 🗓️ Deliver a climate action plan within 12 month of signing.
  • 🎯 Report publicly both progress against interim and long-term targets, as well as the actions being taken, at least annually.
  • 5️⃣ Align our plan with five shared pathways (measure, decarbonise, regenerate, collaborate, finance) to ensure climate action is consistent across all of tourism.
  • 🗨️ Share information on activities connected to Tourism Declares and/or the Glasgow Declaration among contacts and networks.
  • 🤝 Work in a collaborative and constructive spirit with other members of Tourism Declares and/or signatories of the Glasgow Declaration.

We're Proud Of Our Green Awards!

BCorp Logo

In January 2021 we received our first B Corp certification and in July 2024, we were recertified as a B Corp.

Irish Tourism Industry Awards Winner badge

Our efforts towards Responsible Tourism were awarded Best Environmental Tourism Initiative at the 2019 Irish Tourism Industry Awards

Winner badge for the Irish Green Awards 2018

We were delighted to be awarded the Green Tourism & Entertainment Award at the Green Awards 2018

Pure Mile Clean up the Uplands Award for Vagabond Tours 2018

Pure Mile awarded us the 2018 Clean Up The Uplands Award for restoring our stretch of local roadside to its former glory.

Green Awards 2019 Finalist for Vagabond Tours

We were delighted to be finalists in two categories at the 2019 Green Awards: 'Tourism & Entertainment' and 'Best Small Organisation'

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BCorp Sheep Square Logo

We Care For You, Our Community and Planet

Like you, we want our children (and grandchildren) to be able to enjoy authentic travel experiences into the future.

That's why we're a certified B Corp.

We aim to bring long-term benefits to both our community and our planet.

Rob & Amy Rankin
+ the Vagabond Team

 

 

Sustainability In All We Do

B Corp

We are a certified B Corp, committed to driving forward a more ethical and sustainable business model for the future.

In practice, that means bringing long-term benefits to our guests, our team, our suppliers and their communities.

We have joined a community of over 10,000 businesses globally who are certified B Corps.

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Local Ethos

Local is better. Local is more authentic. Local is more sustainable.

Our small-group tours spend an average of 9 days and 8 nights in rural Ireland. This approach aims to avoid overtourism. Even better, staying local is more rewarding for you, our guest.

Our hotels are all locally-owned and our providers are local so the bulk of our guest spend is retained in the community.

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EV Charging

At Vagabond HQ, we recognise the benefits that electric vehicles can have.

We wanted to make it as easy as possible for all of our staff to drive an EV to work.

Installing a fast car charging point was the first step to achieving this.

Even better, the energy used to charge our cars is generated by our green energy provider.

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Solar Power

To improve our commitment to green energy, we had solar panels installed on our roof at VagaHQ in 2019.

Despite what you might think, the sun does shine in Ireland, allowing us to generate plenty of green energy.

In 2024, we doubled the number of panels, allowing us to further reduce our conventional energy use and, consequently, carbon emissions.

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Tree Planting

We are planting more native trees around Ireland than ever, in partnership with Trees on the Land.

Through this partnership, we plant a minimum of 4,000 native Irish trees each year. That's one tree for every guest who travels with us.

Planting native Irish tree species promotes biodiversity and helps foster more effective natural habitats for insects, birds and mammals.

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Saving Water

We estimate that we conserve at least 27,000 litres of water per year keeping our tour vehicles clean.

Our VagaGuides use NoH20, a waterless cleaner, externally and Lilly’s Eco Clean internally, to keep our tour vehicles spick and span. A thorough water-wash is ONLY used at the end of each tour.

Even our toilets are green! All cisterns at VagaHQ are fitted with 2x 500ml water bottles, reducing the water required per flush.

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Waste Management

At Vagabond, we aim to reuse and repurpose whenever we can to reduce the waste we produce.

All waste generated both on tour and at VagaHQ is separated and disposed of correctly. Waste is separated into general, recyclable, WEEE and hazardous.

We encourage all of our guests pre-tour to bring a reusable water bottle, coffee cup and to follow our tips for travellng sustainably.

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Vehicles

All of our tour vehicles use the very latest and most efficient Mercedes turbo-diesel engines.

Our VagaGuides are expertly trained to drive in a smooth, safe and considerate way to help reduce fuel consumption.

In 2025, we introduced HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) – a low-carbon biofuel that significantly reduces emissions. In our commitment to greener fuels, we have also installed our very own HVO tank.

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Bike To Work

Vagabond Tours actively supports staff who want to cycle to work.

Tax-free bikes and e-bikes are available to all of our employees via the Bike To Work scheme.

The net effect is a reduction in traffic congestion and lower carbon emissions.

 

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Ethical Coffee

Green Ocean Coffee is a family-owned Irish B Corp business and we are proud to have this delicious coffee available at VagaHQ.

Through buying Green Ocean Coffee, we directly support ocean bed restoration and oyster reseeding right here in Ireland.

This supports cleaner, healthier oceans and allows for the absorbtion of more carbon from the atmosphere.

What is Responsible Tourism?

Black icon of a leaf symbolizing environmentally friendly tours

“Tourism that takes full account of its current and future environmental, social and economic impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and communities” - The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)

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Our Goals

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💚 To provide long-term benefit to our local communities, employees and the planet

🌞 Install and use solar power and EV charging point at VagaHQ

🦌 Continue respecting Irish nature, wildlife and landscapes following Leave No Trace principles

♻️ Conserve water, avoid unnecessary printing and manage waste efficiently at VagaHQ

💡 Continue to listen, learn, innovate and start conversations

Our Achievements

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🌳 1 native Irish tree planted per guest each year to support biodiversity

🍃 Measuring, monitoring and managing our carbon since 2016

🏆 Ireland's first B Corp in travel & tourism. Recertified as a B Corp in 2024

🥇 Achieved STN (Sustainable Tourism Network) Gold Certification in 2025

🌍 Setting up a Green Team focused on developing green initiatives in the business

 

We Plant A Native Irish Tree For Each Guest

Black icon of a leaf symbolizing environmentally friendly tours

We plant a minimum of 4,000 native Irish trees every year. That's at least one for every guest!

We've always been passionate about supporting native Irish tree initiatives. Through these programmes, we help to promote biodiversity to foster better habitats for insects, birds and mammals.

Litter-Picking in Wicklow & On Tour

Leave No Trace Training
Litter picking locally
Clean up at our Pure Mile

All Vagabond Tours staff carry out litter picks. This happens in Wicklow, close to our VagaHQ, and on tour.

Since 2018, we have partnered with the Pure Mile Project to adopt a section of local woodland.

Our staff members successfully returned the area near Glencree in Wicklow to its original state. What had become a frequent dumping ground was now pure again!

Our Sustainability Mission

Vagabond Small Group Tours of Ireland Sustainability Mission

Do you want to help?

We are all conscious of the carbon footprint we create in our travels. If you'd like to ask us more about the resposible tourism we practice on our trips to Ireland, please feel free to get in touch.

Climatecare is a non-profit organisation which raises awareness of climate change by supporting humanitarian and environmental projects globally.

Use the carbon calculator and offset your emissions at Climarecare.

Click here to launch the Climate Care Calculator App.

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TripAdvisor owl logo icon in very very very dark grey

"Our 7 Day Driftwood Treasure Ireland Tour was wonderful… Vagabond has made great effort to reduce their environmental impact... recyclable coffee go cups were provided. I really appreciated their respect for the beautiful land we were touring."

Adventure138611 - Reviewed October 1 2018 on Trip Advisor

 

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"We took the 12 Day Vagabond Giant Irish Adventure Tour...

The company has some excellent values and standards and lives up to them (environmental sustainability, personalized service etc)."

E435ZZerins - Reviewed May 14 2017

Sustainable Tourism Network

In 2017, Vagabond were awarded Ecotourism Ireland Gold Level certification.

In 2019, Rob & Amy took their commitment to responsible tourism one step further by acquiring Ecotourism Ireland.

In 2024, Sustainable Tourism Network was fully re-launched.

Our Sustainability Partners

We are proud members of, or partner with, all kinds of sustainability-focused organisations:

Our Sustainable Tourism Partnerships

Tour Guide on Leave No Trace training in Ireland
Puffin with BirdWatch Ireland logo
Two men planting trees with Trees on the Land logo

Find Out More About Our Responsible Tourism Efforts

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Responsible Tourism On The Road

We save water, conserve fuel and practice Leave No Trace while on tour

Find Out More
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Visit Green VagaHQ

We operate a green headquarters by recycling, saving water and energy.

Find Out More
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The Extra Mile

We go further by litter picking, educating our guests and helping local communities.

Find Out More
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EcoTourism Ireland

Read why Vagabond founder, Rob Rankin, acquired EcoTourism Ireland in 2019.

Find Out More
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Our Social and Environmental Policy

Read our full Social and Environmental Policy

Find Out More
 
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Proud member of Leave No Trace

As proud partners of Leave No Trace Ireland, we train all of our guides in the Leave No Trace Ireland awareness programme.

Twelve of our staff have qualified as Leave No Trace Trainers. This approach not only ensures that our footprint on the landscape remains minimal. It also enables us to raise the level of environmental awareness among Vagabond guests.

Proud member of Birdwatch Ireland

We are proud members of Birdwatch Ireland and maintain both bird feeders and nesting boxes at Vagabond HQ.

We actively encourage our accommodation suppliers to follow suit. We were delighted when Beech Hill House Hotel and Gougane Barra Hotel both followed our example!

 

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