The launch of a new Impact Fund will see Nordic travel company 50 Degrees North invest 10% of its annual profits into environmental and social projects, with the first recipients already revealed.
Reflecting the B Corp-certified company’s commitment to regenerative tourism, the initiative combines a global approach with local impact. It will focus on supporting projects that align with the company’s objectives of environmental restoration, cultural preservation, and community wellbeing.
“Regenerative tourism goes beyond sustainability,” 50 Degrees North Sustainability Manager Jerrine Mullen said.
“It’s about actively restoring and revitalising the places we visit, with the hope of leaving them better than before. By focusing on environmental restoration, cultural preservation, and community wellbeing, we aim to make a lasting, positive impact.”
The first recipients of funding through the 950,000 NOK (135,000 AUD / 149,000 NZD) Impact Fund include La Humla Suse, a biodiversity organisation, which works to protect pollinators, particularly bumblebees, by creating pollinator-friendly environments.
“This partnership allows us to engage directly with local communities through pollinator workshops and volunteer activities,” 50 Degrees North Co-Owner and Director of Product Satu Vänskä-Westgarth said.
SeaForester is another recipient. A finalist for the Earthshot Prize, the organisation works to restore kelp forests along coastlines, vital for biodiversity and climate change mitigation. 50 Degrees North’s contribution will support the restoration of marine ecosystems in Norway.
The company is also backing initiatives in the Nærøyfjord World Heritage Park, ensuring the preservation of the UNESCO-listed site through responsible tourism practices, as well as local organisations near its headquarters in Øyer, Norway which focus on youth sports, music, and cultural activities are also being prioritised.
Such partnership’s form part of 50 Degrees North’s “broader commitment” to sustainability, with employee-led volunteer initiatives, carbon offsetting and a bold Climate Action Plan also among its efforts.
“In an era when the travel industry must adapt to a changing world, 50Degrees North’s Impact Fund serves as a reminder that tourism can be a force for regeneration, supporting biodiversity, empowering communities, and promoting cultural heritage,” the company said.
