Though recent, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations have evolved from mere buzzwords to a critical driving force behind corporate strategies worldwide. This trend is particularly pronounced in China due to its substantial commitments to environmental sustainability and social responsibility. The major push has been the government’s ambitious pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 and the increasing corporate ESG commitments in China.
Environmental
For us at WildChina, sustainability is a cornerstone of our operations, and ESG has become a critical set of criteria against which we measure our performance as a company and the impact that we make.
- WildChina employed gamification as a strategic tool to develop an eco-conscious bingo game, fostering heightened awareness among participants about their environmental footprint. This innovative approach ensures that every facet of the travel experience is meticulously crafted to minimize the traveler’s ecological impact through a fun and educational game.
- As a member of the Leave No Trace organization, we follow outdoor practices that promote conservation and environmental stewardship. The Leave No Trace guidelines are incorporated into our SOPs to ensure that our trips are as sustainable and minimal impact as possible.
- WildChina is an active member of the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Sustainable Travel Alliance. WildChina team has organized and participated in events with the Sustainable Travel Alliance to share our best practices and exchange ideas on improving trip designs to focus more on animal welfare, local community support and NGO partnerships.
All staff at WildChina are in the process of obtaining Travelife’s prestigious sustainability certification, which includes 16 online courses on a variety of topics ranging from animal welfare to food waste management.
Social
Community
- On the ground, on our trips and in the office, our people are our focus. All our guides and drivers are locals to the areas in which they work.
- WildChina has started an initiative in partnership with the local government in Songyang to revive the rural Zhejiang village of the region into a sustainable and eco-tourism-friendly destination. The initiative involves the transformation of a traditional folk house into a modern café and studio space, blending the building’s original charm with contemporary functionality. The design approach centered around minimal intervention, utilizing organic wood materials and time-honored techniques. The Songyang project displays how a sustainable approach can effectively preserve cultural heritage, support the local community, and minimize the ecological footprint.
Diversity & Inclusion
- Our experiences feature lesser-known cultural activities led by local artisans and craftsmen/women. We constantly survey new local boutiques to give our travelers the best accommodation options possible in every destination while supporting local entrepreneurs.
- We celebrate the diversity and rich heritage of our partners by cooperating with local businesses and platforming Chinese traditions in every element of what we do.
- Successful ESG efforts are never done in a vacuum. Therefore we value the vital importance of the right partnerships with the communities and NGOs that engage with and nurture them. Across many of our ESG projects, we support and collaborate with local NGOs and international organizations.
- Chi Fan for Charity, the biggest citywide not-for-profit organization in China, completed a volunteer trip (“voluntourism”) to Yunnan, which was fully supported and organized by WildChina Corporate Services team. The latest in the series of Chi Fan for Charity events, this trip was dedicated to building a local museum to preserve and protect the Hani Minority Culture. This initiative not only benefited the local community but also left a profound impact on the participants.
Governance
WildChina is committed to ISO compliance. ISO 9001 are quality management principles that include a strong customer focus, the motivation and implication of top management, the process approach, and continual improvement.
WildChina is certified to the ISO 27001 standard for information security management systems. By following the standard, we ensure that information security risks are managed properly.
WildChina is a part of the UN Global Compact Early Adopter program, a worldwide corporate sustainability initiative that seeks to support companies in achieving the UN SDG’s.
Embracing ESG
We are firm believers in the idea that responsible travel serves as the cornerstone for a more promising tomorrow. By adopting ESG principles, we not only guarantee life-changing travel experiences but also actively contribute to the preservation of the environment and the empowerment of local communities through our programs.
- For additional details on WildChina’s sustainability efforts and commitments, visit our Sustainability page.
- Read our short document on the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace that WildChina practices or visit the Leave No Trace to find out more.
