Intrepid Travel will take its climate action agenda to COP31 in Türkiye next month, with Dr Susanne Etti, the company’s General Manager Climate, attending the global summit and supporting a five-day Tailor-Made leadership trip for senior business leaders.
COP31, the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is the world’s largest climate change conference bringing together governments, businesses, investors and civil society to accelerate the global transition to clean energy, advance adaptation and keep the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C temperature goal within reach. While Türkiye is hosting COP31 in Antalya, Australia will hold the role of President of Negotiations, providing a unique opportunity for Australian business to contribute to and engage with the global climate agenda.
UNGCNA x Intrepid leadership trip
Delivered in partnership with the UN Global Compact Network Australia (UNGCNA), the trip will run from 5-9 November across Antalya and Kaş, bringing together C-suite executives, board directors and sustainability decision-makers to explore how businesses can translate climate commitments into practical action.
Featuring a program curated by Dr Evan Center, Head of Environment and Climate Change at UNGCNA, alongside special guest Dr Etti, the trip combines executive workshops with locally led, community-based experiences. Participants will explore how climate change is impacting communities and industries, alongside the regional and geopolitical context surrounding COP31 in the host region.
Intrepid at COP31
Beyond the leadership trip, Intrepid will use COP31 to engage with businesses and industry partners on the practical realities of climate action in tourism, from reducing emissions across supply chains to managing climate risks in destinations.
With thousands of small businesses underpinning the visitor economy, Intrepid believes larger companies have an important role to play in helping suppliers access the knowledge, tools and support needed to progress decarbonisation while strengthening the resilience of destinations and communities.
Dr Susanne Etti, General Manager Climate at Intrepid Travel said: “Climate change is already reshaping destinations and disrupting travel, so we can’t afford to treat it as a future risk. At COP31, I’m keen to see how we turn global commitments into practical action for businesses and the communities they rely on. For travel, that means reducing emissions, preparing for climate risks and working alongside local communities to protect the places that make travel possible. We don’t need a perfect playbook to start making better decisions we need to act on what we know now.”
Dr Evan Center, Head of Environment and Climate Change at UN Global Compact Network Australia, said: “As Australia prepares to lead the COP31 negotiations, this is a critical opportunity for business leaders to shape the transition to a more resilient, competitive and sustainable economy. By bringing leaders together with communities, experts and practitioners on the ground, this program strengthens the insights, relationships and practical understanding needed to translate climate ambition into business value, innovation and measurable outcomes.”
In 2025, Intrepid launched its renewed Climate Action Plan, focused on reducing emissions across its operations and supply chain. The strategy is backed by a $2 million annual Climate Impact Fund to support practical decarbonisation projects, alongside efforts to reduce carbon intensity, invest in lower-emissions transport and work with suppliers to accelerate climate action.
The Leadership Trip forms part of the UN Global Compact Network Australia’s broader COP31 business engagement agenda in 2026. Through a flagship conference, executive roundtables, networking events and webinars, the network is supporting Australian business leaders to build the knowledge, connections and practical insights needed to navigate COP31 and accelerate climate action within their organisations.
COP31 takes place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9-20 November 2026.
