As a small company, we do our part by traveling mindfully, supporting conservation efforts and reducing carbon emissions.
Mongolia’s rich biodiversity and unique landscapes captivate travelers, yet this natural wealth is under threat—part of a global biodiversity crisis. Nature is our essential life support system, reliant on a balanced, thriving biosphere. However, human activities, including our demands for food, energy, and unsustainable land use, are “destroying, degrading, and fragmenting nature at an unprecedented rate” (Global Goal for Nature Group, 2020).
The biodiversity crisis is tightly linked to the climate crisis, making it crucial for solutions to address both. In addition to the UN Climate Convention’s “net zero” emissions target, governments worldwide have committed to a new biodiversity objective: to become “nature-positive” by 2030. This commitment entails urgent action to halt and reverse nature loss. In a powerful declaration at the United Nations Summit on Biodiversity in September 2020, the President of Mongolia and other global leaders pledged to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, a goal as ambitious and measurable as the net zero emissions target. The “30 by 30” initiative aims to safeguard 30% of the world’s land, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, while recognizing and upholding the rights and leadership of Indigenous peoples and local communities.
Effective solutions require action across all sectors: government, industry, and individuals. As a small company, we stepped up by signing the Glasgow Declaration, with a commitment to reduce our carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. We are also members of the Get Nature Positive movement, which supports us in setting clear, measurable goals, including the upcoming Science-based Targets for Nature. This commitment involves actively reducing our impact and working to restore ecosystems—a crucial call to action for the future of nature.
Mongolia is located at the crossroads of the Central Asian steppes, the Siberian taiga (forest region), and the Gobi Desert. It hosts a range of globally significant biodiversity within its boundaries.
Currently, 20% of the country is under special protection (see below), with a targeted increase of 30%. The global importance of Mongolia’s ecosystems is also recognised through its five UNESCO World Heritage Sites (with two designated as natural sites), two World Wildlife Fund Global 200 Ecoregions, eleven Ramsar Sites (Wetlands of International Importance), seven Biosphere Reserves, and seventy Important Bird Areas (IBAs – designated by Birdlife International).
In May 2019, the Mongolian Parliament approved a proposal to designate 22 new National Protected Areas spanning 8.4 million acres (3.4 million hectares). As the world’s 19th largest country, Mongolia now has 20% of its vast landscape under national protection. These protected areas are off-limits to mining, excavation, timber harvesting, and other activities that could harm ecosystem health. However, Mongolia’s commitment doesn’t stop there—the Parliament has set an ambitious “30 by 30” goal, pledging to protect 30% of the country’s territory by 2030.
A comparison of protected areas before 2008 and in 2020. Maps from The Nature Conservancy.
A comparison of protected areas before 2008 and in 2020. Maps from The Nature Conservancy.
Every aspect of the tourism industry affects nature, from light and noise pollution to solid waste, food consumption, infrastructure, and plastic use. Conservation cannot be confined to wildlife or ecotourism alone—it must be a priority across every sector. As an industry that relies on people exploring the world, tourism bears a responsibility to protect the environments we visit and live in. By traveling mindfully—supporting conservation efforts and reducing carbon emissions—the tourism industry can collectively contribute to a healthier planet.
Although Mongolia is famous for its open spaces, 50% of its population lives in Ulaanbaatar – Mongolia’s crowded capital city. In a March 2022 survey carried out by the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), 33% of Ulaanbaatar’s population are aged 17 or younger and these statistics were our motivation in setting up, in partnership with Association Goviin Khulan, a free nature club for Mongolian kids designed especially for kids based in an urban setting. (The DTM survey also highlighted that a percentage of kids in Ulaanbaatar struggle to access clubs as well as a lack of green spaces.).
Our work with the Heroes of Nature Eco Club is an ongoing journey, and we’re eager to see it grow and evolve. After completing our first two projects, we’ve taken a pause to focus on finding the ideal community location for the club. If you have suggestions or connections that could help us in this search, please reach out—we’d love to hear from you! You can find out more here.
Simultaneously, Jess co-founded a local wildlife group in her hometown. Since the pandemic, she has been supporting her mother full-time, which has meant spending more time in Devon, UK. Wanting to give back to her community, Jess teamed up with a local parish councillor and conservationist to create Wild Oke—Okehampton’s Wildlife Group. Find out more here.
Nature-positive tourism fosters connections with communities capable of safeguarding natural environments. We’re proud to partner with the Association Goviin Khulan, a grassroots NGO in Mongolia focused on protecting the Khulan (wild ass) and its habitat. This innovative, multidisciplinary approach addresses local needs, challenges, and culture, engaging the community in research for lasting conservation impact.
Mongolia, with its vast mountainous landscapes and diverse ecosystems, is home to an estimated 700-1,000 snow leopards, making it one of the world’s most important habitats for this endangered species, whose global population numbers only around 4,000-6,500. Understanding travellers’ interest in observing and photographing snow leopards, we prioritised partnering with an organisation dedicated to their conservation, ensuring our work aligns with active efforts to protect these magnificent animals and their habitat. In Western Mongolia, we collaborate with a community group of herders who, thanks to World Wildlife Fund training and support, now act as “citizen scientists,” monitoring and safeguarding snow leopards and other wildlife. This community also serves as skilled wildlife spotters, providing visitors with unique opportunities to experience Mongolia’s extraordinary wildlife firsthand.
When you travel with us, you’re not only funding conservation but also investing in local communities—an essential aspect of nature-positive tourism. For conservation to succeed long-term, it’s crucial that local people benefit, reinforcing the sustainable future we’re working to build.
While promoting tourism to Mongolia—a remote and unique destination—contributes to global carbon emissions, nature-positive tourism enables travellers to journey in ways that minimise their environmental impact. We’re focused on making each trip count, which is why we’ve removed unnecessary internal flights and developed a “foodprint” plan to reduce food-related emissions. We’ve also introduced homestay experiences that provide meaningful cultural engagement and can be accessed via public transport. Our ‘Wild Tracks’ offerings promote longer, slow-travel experiences that emphasise deeper connections with the land. Importantly, our entire team is based in Mongolia, and we work in long-term partnerships with herding families across the country, ensuring each experience we offer creates direct economic benefits and sustainable employment opportunities for local communities.
