Sustainability

Taking concrete steps to limit global warming and protect our future.

We recognize the urgent need to limit global warming to 1.5°C. At Campbell River Whale Watching, we measure our footprint, actively reduce it where we can and offset the rest.

The Reality of Our Emissions: The marine fuel required to run our vessels is our largest source of emissions. While our ultimate goal is to transition to fully electric boats, the current technology isn't yet capable of safely navigating the strong tidal currents of our region. We acknowledge that offsetting, while necessary right now, is not the ideal long-term solution - reducing emissions at the source is always the better path. Because of this, we are committed to continuously exploring emerging marine technologies and operational efficiencies to actively cut our footprint first.

Carbon Neutral Since 2018: We are proud to run a fully carbon-neutral operation. By tracking our Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions annually, we calculate exactly what is needed to balance our impact.

1 Ticket = 1 m² of Protected Forest: Our primary tool for climate action is a partnership with Wilderness International. For every single passenger, we protect one square meter of old-growth forest right here in British Columbia.

• Included in your Ticket: This isn't an optional add-on; it is built into every ticket price.
• Permanent Sequestration: Old-growth forests are massive carbon sinks. By preserving them, we ensure that carbon remains locked in nature rather than released into the atmosphere.

Science-Based Accountability: We rely on data, not guesswork. We measure our fuel consumption and operational emissions every year to ensure our offsets are accurate and validated. This commitment aligns our operations with global climate goals and science-based targets.

Go Beyond Neutral: While your trip is automatically offset, we offer guests the opportunity to go beyond "neutral". During the booking process, you can choose to donate additional funds to sequester even more carbon than your tour emits, helping to expand the protected forest zones.

Tracking our progress: We are committed to transparency and accountability in our sustainability efforts. Our sustainability reports detail key initiatives, including our emissions tracking efforts, as part of our goal to achieve carbon neutrality. Have a look at our past reports below:

• 2021
• 2020
• 2019
• 2018

Creating a safer, more inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and welcome.

We believe the ocean belongs to everyone. To ensure our tours and our workplace are safe for all, we are breaking down barriers through inclusive hiring, staff training, and active community support.

Rainbow Registered: We are committed to providing a welcoming atmosphere for every identity. Since 2024, we have been a Rainbow Registered business, adhering to strict national standards for 2SLGBTQIA+ safety and inclusivity.

Education & Culture: Inclusion starts with understanding. Since 2024, we have mandated DEI Training for every single team member - seasonal and full-time - at the start of each season. Our leadership team undergoes additional in-depth training to ensure that equity is embedded in our management structure and daily operations.

Community Action & Pride: We put our values into action. Our Annual Pride Harbour Cruise (launched in 2023) donates 100% of proceeds to North Island Pride. Beyond financial support, we provide paid time staff volunteers at local Pride events in Campbell River.

Accessible Adventures: Nature is for everyone, and we strive to accommodate guests of all abilities. As an Access2 card venue since 2019, we are dedicated to making wildlife viewing accessible to individuals with disabilities. While the nature of our vessels presents some challenges, we work closely with guests to ensure equal access whenever possible.

Advocating for systemic change and investing in the people and places we love.

To create a just and sustainable world, we look beyond our own operations.

Investing in Conservation: We view our revenue as a tool for good. Through ticket-based sustainability fees and direct donations, we fund the organizations protecting our coast.

• We maintain long-term financial partnerships with key organizations.
  • NIMMSA: $2.50 per guest are donated to the North Island Marine Mammal Stewardship Association, directly supporting local marine conservation projects.
  • Wilderness International: For each guest, $1.50 is donated to protect 1 square meter of old-growth forest.
  • CBVA: Our bear tours include a $20 Bear Conservation Fee that directly supports local grizzly bear conservation in British Columbia through the Commercial Bear Viewing Association.
• Local Giving: We regularly donate gift certificates to auctions in support of local NGOs such as the Pacific Salmon Foundation, Oyster River Fire Rescue, and Habitat for Humanity.

Advocacy & Leadership: We don't just follow regulations; we help shape them. We lobby for policies that prioritize preserving wildlife and their natural habitats. Beyond engaging in political and non-profit discussions, we are helping lead a mindset shift in tourism marketing - promoting ethical wildlife viewing and environmental stewardship that puts the welfare of wildlife and the environment first.

Indigenous Partnership & Reconciliation: We operate on the unceded traditional territories of the Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw, Coast Salish, and K’ómoks First Nations and are committed to economic and cultural collaboration.

• Collaborative Tourism: We partner with Homalco Tours (since 2011) and Klahoose Coastal Adventures (since 2019) to deliver grizzly tours rich in Indigenous cultural knowledge.
• Local Support: We support the Laichwiltach Family Life Society in Campbell River through fundraising and Orange Shirt Day sales.

Educating the Next Generation: We are planting seeds for the future. By offering deeply discounted rates to local School Districts, we ensure youth can access the ocean.

• Floating Classroom: In partnership with local school districts, we are piloting a "Floating Classroom" to offer hands-on marine science education.
• Aquarium Support: We provide non-profit, at-cost tours to the Campbell River Aquarium to enhance their summer camp programming.

Staff & Community Wellbeing: Sustainability starts with how we treat our neighbors and our team.

• Paid Volunteerism: We pay our staff to volunteer for causes they care about, including local beach clean-ups and Pride events.
• Incentivizing Green Habits: Through "Bike to Work Bingo" and "Sustainability Idea Contests," we reward staff for living their values.
• Social Support: From donating all proceeds of our Canada Day Fireworks Cruise to the Campbell River Hospice, to supporting North Island Pride and the Campbell River Skating Club, we show up for our community.

Protecting the ecosystems that sustain us.

From climate change to biodiversity loss, the stakes have never been higher. We view environmental stewardship as a core responsibility. By assessing our impact and embracing a circular economy, we ensure that our operations actively minimize harm and regenerate our local environment.

Closing the Loop on Waste: We are transitioning to a zero-waste future by refusing, reducing, reusing, repairing, rotting and recycling.

• Plastic-Free: We have virtually eliminated single-use plastics from our operations.
• Smart Sourcing: We buy in bulk (cleaning supplies, tea, sugar) to reduce packaging waste whenever possible.
• Composting: Most of our waste is organic. We use reusable containers or compostable packaging for lunches to divert food and paper waste from landfills.
• Microfiber Filtration: We have installed a specialized microfiber filter on our washing machine to prevent microplastics from entering the waterways.
• Digital First: We operate on a "paper-free" basis whenever possible, handling bookings and waivers digitally.

Conscious Procurement: Our money stays local and green whenever possible. Our Procurement Policy prioritizes suppliers who share our values, and we conduct an annual Purchasing Audit to keep improving.

• Local Partners: We proudly source tour coffee from Salt Spring Coffee, cleaning products from The Unscented Company, and merchandise from Bough and Antler.
• Supporting Artists: Our gift shop features the work of local artists, supporting the creative community while reducing shipping emissions.

Guardians of Biodiversity: We operate in the home of orcas, humpbacks, and grizzly bears. Our presence must be respectful.

• Exceeding Standards: We adhere to the NIMMSA Code of Conduct, exceeding regulatory requirements to ensure minimal disruption to wildlife.
• Ethical Marketing: We have strict marketing guidelines - we never use or promote imagery of close encounters that suggest harassment or disturbance of wildlife.
• Guide Commitment: Every season, all guides sign a mandatory code of conduct, ensuring respectful wildlife viewing is strictly enforced on the water.

Powering Research & Conservation: We are the eyes and ears of the coast. We actively support the science that protects marine mammals.

• Citizen Science: We share real-time wildlife sighting data with MERS (Marine Education and Research Society) to aid their research.
• Economic Research: We facilitate guest surveys for the CBVA (Commercial Bear Viewing Association) to help quantify the economic value of bear viewing in BC.
• Direct Support: As one of the largest contributors to the CBVA small grant fund and a donor to NIMMSA, our ticket fees directly fund conservation projects.