Our Story

The Long Run started in 2009 as an initiative of Zeitz Foundation’s international programme. It was launched by Jochen Zeitz, Founder of the Zeitz Foundation and Co-Chair with Sir Richard Branson of The B Team. After becoming the youngest CEO in German history to head a public company in 1993, at the age of 30, Zeitz served 18 years as Chairman and CEO of PUMA SE. Whilst CEO of Puma, he developed the first Environmental Profit and Loss (EP&L) accounting framework seeking to expand the scope corporate accountability and incorporate environmental impacts of operations.

 

Nine destinations, our founding members, were selected on the basis of their commitment and unique approach to sustainability. Their collaboration provided the basis on which The Long Run developed its approach and strategy. Going from strength to strength, the initiative evolved into an independent UK-based non-profit organisation in March 2015, with its own board of directors. It is now a registered charity in the UK.

 

It has now grown to become one of the world’s largest sustainable development initiative led by nature-based businesses.

 

2015 was a pivotal year for The Long Run. Its Global Ecosphere Retreats (GER)® Standard was granted the Recognition by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and The Long Run reached the 100-member mark.

Currently, our members safeguard 13 Million acres of nature and touch the lives of 500,000 people. Going forward, The Long Run aspires to conserve 20 million acres of biodiversity and improve the lives of two million people by 2020. 

Our Governance

The organisation is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Jochen Zeitz, The Long Run founder.  The Board is currently composed of 5 elected GER® Members, one Fellow member and one individual member, Andy Parker, who represents the Parker-Fray family.

 

Members eligible to steer the organisation are primarily made up of the GER®, ensuring that The Long Run integrity and rigorous processes are maintained. However, slots are reserved for representatives of other membership categories (Fellow and Affiliate Members) and 3 more slots exist on the board for individuals such as Andy who are passionate, committed and able to support The Long Run financially.

 

The Chief Executive Director supports the Board. Together with a small group of professionals, they make up the management team of what is a nimble, efficient, globally distributed and digitally connected 21st century organisation.

Our vision is that of a world in which ‘Business, Nature and People are harmoniously working together for a sustainable future’.

Our Vision & Mission

Our world faces unprecedented social and environmental challenges. No one actor can address these single-handed. We believe that business, especially tourism, can help reverse these trends!

 

Our vision is that of a world in which ‘Business, Nature and People are harmoniously working together for a sustainable future’.

 

In order to pursue this vision, we seek to ‘support, connect and inspire nature-based businesses to excel in following the highest standards of sustainability encompassing Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce (4Cs) and collectively influencing others to take up best practices for a sustainable future worldwide’.

The 4Cs

The 4Cs framework provides a concrete way for businesses to internalise sustainability in their operations and decision-making. It recognises the importance of business viability to secure biodiversity conservation and community well-being in the long term.

 

Reciprocally, it emphasises the importance of nature and supportive communities in sustaining nature-based businesses. Members are encouraged and supported to continuously expand their positive impacts on the health of the planet and well-being of people.

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CONSERVATION

Biodiversity is life. Conservation is safeguarding this biodiversity and the integrity of the ecosystem services it provides which support global needs. Conservation is a core to all Long Runners. They support the sustainable use of natural resources that safeguards the integrity of the planet in their area. Activities in this dimension address issues of biodiversity and ecosystem services as well as management of energy, water and waste, land planning and carbon impact reduction, among others.

COMMUNITY

People matter; it is the right of every person to have their basic needs met and enhancing the well-being of communities is a fundamental obligation of all. Long Runners support activities that enhance the well being of communities they belong to or interact with. Activities in this dimension address fair working conditions, community relations, social infrastructure, social accountability, capacity building and support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), among others.

CULTURE

Our world is culturally diverse. Celebrating commonality is what nurtures understanding. Respecting difference is crucial to our future. Our ability to innovate and evolve is what makes us uniquely human. Drawing on our uniqueness we enrich each other and contribute to a greater common good. Long Runners strive to strengthen intercultural relationships and understanding, safeguarding cultural heritage while raising awareness of cultural diversity. Activites in this dimension address issues of cultural heritage site protection, cultural heritage promotion and awareness, respect, cultural exchange among others.

COMMERCE

Uncontrolled, commerce has had negative impacts. Conducted in a holistic and sustainable way commerce can be a positive contributor for The Long Run. Trading and the accumulation of wealth have been central to the development of civilizations over thousands of years and are likely to remain so. This dimension addresses the sustainability of commercial operations recognising the intricate link between profit, natural and social assets. Viable businesses offer the capacity to provide a source of income for people that depend on it, as well as long term investment back into the initiatives in each of the 4Cs.

The Long Run demonstrates what the private sector can achieve and the positive impact it can have on conservation and communities around the world.

OUR

VALUES

Everything we do is guided by the 4 key principles of being fair, honest, positive and creative. These 4 Keys are at the heart of The Long Run’s mission and way of business.

Fair means balanced …

  • listening to all sides
  • resisting the pressures that can push us to extremes
  • listening as much as we talk, and
  • giving back as much as we take

Honest means sincere …

  • never faking it
  • walking the walk as we talk the talk – practicing what we preach
  • putting our money, energy and time where our mouth is
  • admitting our mistakes and owning up to our responsibilities

Positive means constructive …

  • building things and people up, rather than breaking them down
  • working for solutions rather than criticizing or complaining
  • supporting others when they try, encouraging them when they fail, and celebrating with them when they succeed
  • use “We can”, more often than “We can’t”

Creative means innovative …

  • thinking outside the box
  • finding ways around problems
  • not stopping when we encounter obstacles
  • looking at new ways, listening to new ideas and trying new strategies

With this in mind we carefully listen to our stakeholders, encourage greater communication, collaboration, participation and creative expression, and continuously support protecting the integrity of the ecosystems as well as the well-being of the communities among our members.

The Long Run has grown to become one of the world’s largest sustainable development initiative led by nature-based businesses.

Our Work

The members of The Long Run are at the front line of conservation in many remote places around the world. They are pioneers in sustainability, committed to doing things differently by leveraging the power of their business for the health of the planet and the well-being of people.

 

Through The Long Run they are connected to a global community of exceptional destinations who support and inspire each other to expand their positive impact and to excel in following the highest standards of sustainability encompassing Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce (4Cs).

THE LONG RUN ACHIEVES THIS THROUGH:

Technical Assistance

  • Providing members with personal and tailored technical support (online and on site) to help continuously improve sustainability performance and address specific challenges;
  • Facilitate exchange of knowledge and experience between members on line (through webinars) and on site through members’ exchange visits;
  • Regular follow up with members in their journey of improvement, using the GER® standard as a benchmark;
  • Facilitation to reflect and strategically plan for improvements at member’s destination.

Membership Services

  • Maintain and implement a rigorous screening process;
  • Access to The Long Run network of members and experts and online tools;
  • Organising annual members’ meeting at member destinations to exchange knowledge and expertise, as well as learn and experience the 4Cs in practice while setting the strategic priorities of the organisation.

Awareness raising and profiling

  • Recognition and profiling on The Long Run website, social media and use of affiliation with The Long Run, its name and logos;
  • Recognition and profiling of outstanding work in global tourism, conservation and other fora.
The members of The Long Run are at the front line of conservation in many remote places around the world.
BUSINESS AS A
FORCE FOR GOOD
We believe that we can achieve together for the planet, for people, and for business is much more than what we can do on our own. Collectively we can show the world that business can be a force for good and inspire others to take up best practice to make the world a better place. The members of The Long Run continuously demonstrate that profit can and should go hand in hand with productive ecosystems, and prosperous communities.
IN 2017, OUR MEMBERS

CONSERVATION

Safeguarded over 13 million acres of land.

COMMUNITY

Touched the lives of over 500,000 people.

CULTURE

Celebrated 100 cultures.

COMMERCE

Invested over $10 million in Conservation, Community & Culture.

THE GER® STANDARD

The Global Ecosphere Retreats® (GER) is recognised by the Global Sustainability. Tourism Council (GSTC) and is a lead sustainability standard premised on the outstanding work of the GER® and their contribution to sustainability. It is considered to be ‘one of the world’s best standard for privately protected areas’ (Dr. Jeff A. Langholz). The GER® standard is unparalleled by any other standard in that:

  • It rigorously covers all 4C aspects of sustainability in tourism with equal weight;
  • It is not merely about compliance assessment; it is a vehicle to support nature-based tourism businesses’ in their journey of continuous improvement;
  • Likewise, it is not only about businesses merely mitigating their negative environmental impacts but about positively impacting the well-being of the planet and the people;
  • The GER® recognition is earned rather than granted following a highly rigorous assessment by accomplished experts and professionals;
  • Owning, directly managing or influencing a significant landscape or seascape is an essential criteria that makes GER® exclusive on the one hand and focussed on planet and people on the other hand;
  • GER® members must be commercially profitable or commit to attaining commercial viability; demonstrating that conserving nature is an economic imperative beyond the ethical arguments of posterity;
  • Therefore, the GER® standard is ultimately for those nature-based tourism businesses that are exceptionally motivated to be a force for greater good and are, or aspire to be, the best of the best in sustainable tourism.
OUR
MEMBERS
The members of The Long Run are at the front line of conservation in many remote places around the world. Each nature-based tourism destination joins as a Fellow Member and commits to The Long Run’s 4Cs framework, aspiring to become ‘Centres Of Excellence’ and achieving Global Ecosphere Retreats® status. Our wide network of Affiliate members lends skills and experience to support this journey.

Global Ecosphere Retreats®

Global Ecosphere Retreats® have achieved the highest sustainability standards through a balance in the 4Cs of biodiversity Conservation, Community development, Cultural stewardship and Commerce. Their journey to become centres of excellence has completed and they continually strive to maintain and improve their efforts.
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Fellow Members

The Long Run Fellow Members are institutions or enterprises that own, directly manage or significantly influence the management of a natural area of conservation value. Each member strives to achieve the highest standard of excellence in sustainable tourism using a holistic balance of the 4Cs of biodiversity Conservation, Community development, Cultural stewardship and Commerce; to become a recognised Global Ecosphere Retreat®.

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Affiliate Members

The Long Run Affiliate Members are organisations or individuals that share The Long Run’s drive to support sustainable, ecologically and socially responsible projects around the world. They demonstrate this commitment by signing the Long Run Charter.
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PARTNERS &

FRIENDS

Partners and Friends represent a network of organisations and individuals that believe in The Long Run vision and mission; that attitudes need to change for nature to be conserved for posterity and support prosperity and peace. They want to help address the biggest challenges of our times and believe that The Long Run provides an avenue to do so. Supporters and Friends, help The Long Run financially, supporting it to grow the movement. They act as ambassadors for The Long Run.

  • Supporter – Andy ParkerSupporter – Andy Parker
  • Supporter – Name SurnameSupporter – Name Surname
  • Supporter – Name Surname 2Supporter – Name Surname 2
  • Supporter – Name Surname 3Supporter – Name Surname 3
MEET THE
TEAM
The programmes and activities of The Long Run are shaped in part by our in-house team. We are a small but passionate team of conservationists, economists, environmentalists, tourism specialists and marketers. Although we each come from different walks of life, we’ve banded together under one unifying principle; We can act today for a better tomorrow.
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Dr. Delphine Malleret-King

Director
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Dr. Anne-Kathrin Zschiegner

Technical Assistance Advisor
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Alicia Brett

Marketing

IN THE

SPOTLIGHT

BE INSPIRED by some amazing stories from our members, supporters and friends around the globe. Get INSIGHT into the people and places that put The Long Run philosophy into practice and who are dedicated to achieving sustainability through the balance of the 4Cs.