Zeero making tourism pay for a healthier planet

In a sector often criticised for its environmental impact, Zeero is making waves with a radical, eco-driven approach: why should sustainability be a cost when it can be a valuable asset? Founded by the team behind Trees4Travel, Zeero is reshaping how the travel sector thinks about climate action. From micro-investments in clean energy to nature-restoring projects, they have created a platform that does not just offset emissions; it gives travel companies and destinations a stake in a greener future.

From idea to impact

Zeero’s journey began in the throes of the Covid-19 pandemic when its parent company, Trees4Travel, started a mission to mitigate emissions from businesses worldwide. Through reforestation projects and carbon credits, they brought attention to how travel can do more than just “do no harm” — it can actively restore. But Nico Nicholas explains, his vision has grown far beyond planting trees alone.

The goal was to go beyond indirect impacts, moving away from simply investing in distant projects like wind farms in China. Instead, they wanted to leave a direct, positive footprint on tourism destinations by investing in local solutions that communities could call their own. Now, through Zeero, every few dollars from a booking can drive energy independence, waste reduction, and nature restoration in the very places travellers visit.

Building a better future with technology and collaboration

In a world where SMEs face unique challenges, Zeero has not only survived but thrived through innovation and collaboration. They have partnered with major corporations like National Grid in the UK and the US and are even working with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to license a groundbreaking technology: hydrothermal liquefaction. This process converts organic waste into biofuels, including sustainable aviation fuel, and can be deployed at scale in any city or town. With this technology, they are tackling two issues at once—reducing waste and producing cost-effective, low-emission fuel alternatives.

Such achievements are a testament to Zeero’s vision and their belief in collaboration. With partnerships that span municipalities, environmental groups, and government bodies, they are proving that solutions to climate issues can be local, impactful, and industry-relevant.

Challenges of leading a green revolution

The journey has not been easy. Zeero admits that convincing the travel sector to take actionable steps in sustainability has been an uphill battle. While the idea of sustainable travel can excite people, inspiring businesses to take real, measurable action is another story. “No one ever said that saving our planet would be easy,” Nico reflects. Moving from applause to action requires perseverance and dedication, and that’s something Zeero is committed to despite the hurdles.

What differentiates Zeero from others in the sustainability space? First, it’s the model of co-ownership, which invites travel industry players to share in the mission and decision-making. Unlike many offset programs that feel like a transaction, Zeero empowers stakeholders to own a part of the process and vote on the projects they support.

Their unique technological offerings, like dashboards and API connections for travel companies, make it easy to see emissions in real-time and strategize for net zero travel. This approach to transparency allows businesses to show visible, accountable progress toward real decarbonisation goals.

Since launching, Zeero has experienced a significant shift in customer demographics. Originally aimed at consumers, the pandemic pushed them into the business sector. Now, they work with over a thousand corporations across 29 countries, bringing tangible solutions to businesses without sustainability experts. The need for simplicity has shaped Zeero’s strategy — from webinars to marketing resources, they make it easy for companies to embrace meaningful climate action.

Turning challenges into opportunities

The pandemic might have hampered many businesses, but for Zeero, it was the catalyst that crystallised their purpose. As they see it, the crisis didn’t just highlight environmental issues but showed how interconnected we are with our planet. Now, the travel sector has a unique opportunity to turn awareness into action.

And that awareness is only growing. Zeero has continued to evolve, moving from just planting trees to building a collaborative investment platform. They are continuously innovating, now focusing on how they can scale their impact through projects like modular hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) plants. One such project in Orlando could soon produce millions of gallons of biofuel daily — and that’s just one city.

Zeero’s journey has been marked by strong B2B relationships, with LinkedIn proving to be a significant tool for growth. They have leveraged speaking opportunities, panel discussions, and PR to connect with like-minded organisations and potential partners. But with a small team, social media often takes a backseat. As they prepare to expand, they are excited to bring in fresh talent to help them engage more widely, with the hope of eventually connecting directly with consumers as well.

A vision for a billion trees

The future is bright, and the potential is vast. If just a fraction of global bookings contributed a small amount, Zeero estimates they could plant over a billion trees annually, rolling out HTL plants to decarbonise travel on an unprecedented scale. For Zeero, the future involves going public and expanding across as many countries as possible. They believe in the power of travel to be a force for good — a power that must be harnessed now.

If Zeero has one message for the global travel sector, it’s this: Commitment is key. Taking that first step is not just about preserving profits; it is about preserving the very destinations that make travel meaningful. From their perspective, each booking and each small investment is an opportunity to protect and give back to the communities.

For other SMEs in the travel sector, Zeero offers a piece of advice that’s as inspiring as it is practical: Recognize the privilege. The travel sector has the unique role of creating dreams. And what better legacy than to ensure that dream destinations are around for future generations? With collaboration and a commitment to genuine action, SMEs can be a part of the change that transforms not just travel but the world.

As Zeero so powerfully shows, our planet’s future depends on each of us — especially those in the travel sector. With innovative solutions, collaboration, and a little bit of vision, we can indeed travel lightly and leave a lasting impact that generations to come will thank us for.

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