Stories from the Trails: Discover Banff Tours Surpasses Emission Reduction Goals
In one of Canada’s most iconic landscapes, a place that is 97 per cent wilderness, Discover Banff Tours is proving that tourism can be a force for good.
“Nature speaks loudest here in Banff National Park,” says Jonathan Welsh, co-owner of Discover Banff Tours (DBT). “That’s why we listen, and act.”
As part of their ambitious Sustainability Plan, DBT has aligned its operations with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They’ve set measurable targets to reduce environmental footprint while deepening their positive impact on the land and continuing to offer exceptional visitor experiences.
One of their boldest goals? A 20 percent reduction in emissions by 2028, using 2018 as a baseline.
And Discover Banff Tours didn’t just meet that target; they surpassed it. As of 2025, the business achieved a 32 percent reduction in emissions, exceeding their goal by 12 percent and reaching it three years ahead of schedule.
This milestone isn’t just a number – Jonathan says it’s a signal of what’s possible when local businesses take climate action seriously. It’s also a reflection of the businesses’ respect for the place their team and community calls home.
“We know it’s a privilege to operate in a national park,” says Jonathan. “Our guests come here to experience nature. That comes with a responsibility to protect it.”
Our guests come here to experience nature. That comes with a responsibility to protect it.
Jonathan Welsh, Co-owner at Discover Banff Tours
Sustainability in action
That sense of responsibility is woven into every aspect of operations at DBT. From staff-led cleanups at popular day-use areas, to installing solar panels on two buildings and reducing electricity emissions by nearly 50 per cent, Discover Banff Tours’ team is committed to leaving the park better than they found it. Their efforts also include implementing vehicle telematics to improve fuel efficiency and safety.
And they’re not stopping there! Plans are underway to expand solar installations, transition to electric vehicles, improve building energy efficiency, digitize operations to reduce paper use, and more.
Jonathan shared, “Sustainability isn’t just about doing our part for the environment. It’s changing our entire business approach to how we work with our natural ecosystem, staff, and communities.”
DBT’s Sustainability Plan goes beyond emissions. The team also supports educational programming ensuring each tour includes information on local conservation, the importance of national parks, and Indigenous history and knowledge, helping guests connect with Banff and Lake Louise more meaningfully.
This approach from Discover Banff Tours is rooted in the belief that tourism should not only minimize harm but actively contribute to the health of the places it touches, Jonathan says. That’s why they’ve embedded sustainability into their business model as a core value.
And they’re showing that environmental leadership can go hand in hand with exceptional visitor experiences.
Walking the Trails to Tomorrow
Whether it’s a guided hike through Johnston Canyon, a wildlife tour at dusk, or a snowshoe adventure under starlit skies, every DBT tour is designed to foster a deeper connection to nature and a greater appreciation for the land.
This is what it means to walk the Nature Positive and Climate Action Trail to Tomorrow as part of the vision to Lead Tourism for Good in Banff and Lake Louise.
Recognizing that national parks demand care. Understanding that climate action isn’t a future goal but a present imperative. And showing, through action and leadership, that sustainable tourism is possible and powerful.
As Discover Banff Tours continues to innovate and inspire, they offer a compelling example of how tourism can be a force for good. And they’re just getting started.
“We’ve got more work to do by 2030,” says Jonathan. It’s a reminder that the journey toward sustainability is ongoing.