carbonneutraltourism.co.uk

Under the Thatch restore and manage a number of unique self catering properties in Wales. If you are looking for something a little bit different with Under the Thatch you could choose a restored railway carriage, the Aberporth Express which overlooks the sea or Trehilyn Uchaf a cottage owned by Griff Rhys Jones which was restored as part of the BBC Four TV Series ‘A Pembrokeshire Farm’. Under the Thatch have over 20 properties to choose from.

Under the Thatch restore old historic buildings which have fallen into disrepair and profits generated from lettings are re-invested in the company to allow them to restore other properties. During 2007 they won the 2007 Ethical Travel award in the prestigious Guardian/Observer awards. Read more about Under the Thatch’s environmental and sustainability related initiatives here.

A recent report states that climate change could have a significant effect on The Giant’s Causeway, a leading visitor attraction in Northern Ireland. The research states that the Giant’s Causeway is likely to experience increased storminess, a 25cm rise in sea level is expected by 2050 in north eastern area of Strangford Lough and this could increase to 1 metre by 2100.

The Puro webcam which is located in the tropical forest of Buenaventura, Ecuador will go live on 1st of Fen. It will be streaming live for 12 hours per day. The webcam is over looking a feeder which attracts a wide range of bird including over 10 species of hummingbird, Tanangers and Fly-Catchers. You can watch a preview of screener here.

“British Airways took fresh steps today to intensify its work in limiting aviation’s impact on climate change.

The airline unveiled a new carbon offset scheme, and backing for deforestation prevention in Brazil and research into the effects of aircraft’s non-carbon emissions.

The upgraded offset scheme uses UN certified emissions reductions to help finance clean energy projects in developing countries.

Customers offsetting their flight emissions will be supporting a new wind farm in one of the poorest regions of China, as well as run-of-the-river hydro electric plants in China and Brazil.

The scheme is more user-friendly with customers able to buy their offset in one transaction when they book their flight on ba.com.”

To find out more about BA’s environmental initiatives and policies please click here.

The Gaia Napa Valley Hotel and Spa, located in American Canyon, California is an eco-hotel which has strong environmental creditentials.

Environmental initiatives including:

• Paints: Low VOC paints were used throughout the hotel.

• Carpet: Their carpets contain post consumer recycled material in the backing, fibre and pad.
• Stone: All restrooms use recycled tiles and granite.
• Water: The project achieved a water use reduction of about 40%.
• Solar panel: Solar panels provides 12% of our electricity.

The Gaia Napa Valley Hotel and Spa is also a Gold LEED Certified hotel.

Healthy Living and Sustainable Lifestyle Company Nature & Kind has been appointed as an Official Gift Provider to the nominees of the Orange British Academy Film Awards in 2008.

Over 200 nominees for the awards including movie stars George Clooney, Daniel Day-Lewis, James Mcavoy, Cate Blanchett, Julie Christie, Kiera Knightly, Tommy Lee Jones, Samantha Morton, and Sienna Miller will receive a £500 Nature & Kind Gift Voucher, redeemable against a hand-picked collection of eco chic accommodation, adventurous and cultural tailor-made tours and wellbeing retreats selected from the Nature & Kind Travel Collection – www.NatureandKindTravel.com

Andrew Harding, Founder of Nature & Kind says “We are honoured to be supporting such a prestigious event in the international calendar of film and entertainment, celebrating the achievements of British and international talent in the Film industry. We are delighted to be offering the nominees a gift from Nature & Kind, and we look forward to planning and booking their travel experiences featured by our Trusted Partners, who are committed to operating in an environmentally and socially responsible way, without compromise to high levels of guest comfort, service, style and value.”

In recognition of Nature & Kind’s commitment to environmental conservation, Nature & Kind will be donating £50 to the Born Free Foundation for every booking made by a nominee using their Nature & Kind Gift. The Gift presentation folder includes a personal message to the nominees from Virginia McKenna, Founder of the Born Free Foundation and British Academy Film Award Winner and Nominee saying “Nature and Kind are my two favourite words. Please accept this gift from Nature & Kind and they will generously support the Born Free Foundation, so that animals can be winners too!”

San Francisco’s newest and ‘greenest’ hotel – the Orchard Garden Hotel – is one of California’s first hotels built to the specifications of the “Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design” (LEED®) Green Building Rating System from the US Green Building Council in order to earn its coveted LEED certification.

As proud sister to the award-winning Orchard Hotel, the $25 million Orchard Garden is a short stroll from Union Square shops and theatres, blocks away from the Financial District dealmakers and San Francisco’s legendary cable cars, and just steps from the Chinatown Gates. Eighty-six deluxe guest rooms on ten floors, elegant boardroom, inviting rooftop garden and superb restaurant combine graceful luxury with state-of-the-art design in an intimate, residential atmosphere. Works by locally renowned artists are proudly featured in the welcoming lobby and throughout the entire hotel.

The Orchard Garden’s ‘green’ practices also include chemical-free cleaning products, a 100% tobacco-free environment, recycled paper and soy-based inks. The hotel also proudly debuts San Francisco’s first guestroom key card energy control system, similar to European and Asian systems.

Stylish, eco-friendly guest rooms have been designed with comfort in mind. Each of the hotel’s 82 deluxe guest rooms and four junior suites designed by Architecture International is decorated in natural wood tones and light, fresh colors and include:

• One king-size or two double beds with 100% washable Egyptian cotton linens, plush coverings and feather down pillows
• Oversized working desk with excellent lighting, dual-line cordless phone and high speed Internet and Wi-Fi access
• Large-screen LCD flat panel HD television
• iPod docking station with alarm clock and radio
• State-of-the-art DVD and CD player, all with stereo sound and remote control
• Safes in all closets
• Individual climate control

Roots Restaurant is a small, stylish restaurant located in the Orchard Garden Hotel, perfect for business lunches, pre-theater appetizers or romantic dinners. Roots proudly serves contemporary American cuisine with a Mediterranean flair and is committed to featuring local produce, naturally raised meats and sustainable seafood whenever possible. The cozy bar is a great spot for cocktails.

The Cedar House Sport Hotel is luxury hotel located in the Martis Valley, California, USA. Combining innovative design with eco-credentials guests have 42 rooms and suites to choose from – click here to find out more about the accommodation.  Facilities onsite include a bar, outdoor spa, meeting room and complimentary Wi-Fi available throughout hotel.

The Hotel has been designed and developed around sustainable principles.  Green initiatives include:

• Light fixtures on the property are fluorescent or low voltage, there are no incandescent lights

• All lights have photo sensors and timers on them

• A green roof covers the reception / check-in area

Queensland resort Australia’s first 100 percent solar powered and carbon neutral tourism operator. An eco-friendly resort near Townsville has become the country’s first 100 percent solar powered and carbon neutral tourism operator, in a move announced by Tourism Minister Desley Boyle today.

Ms Boyle congratulated Hidden Valley Cabins and Tours on the Paluma range - one and a half hours northwest of Townsville - for leading the nation in a crucial environmental initiative.

“I am delighted to announce that it is a Queensland tourism operation which has lead the way on this important issue,” Ms Boyle said.

“In Queensland we recognise that there must be an important balance between tourism interests and environmental issues and Hidden Valley Cabins is a prime example of a tourism operator striving to strike that balance.

“I congratulate operators Ian and Bonnie McLennan for their efforts in ensuring that not only the present beauty of their resort is protected, but the future is in good hands as well.

“I expect their environmental initiatives will serve not only as an example for other Queensland operators, but for tourism operators around Australia, and indeed, the world.”

Touted as Australia’s first solar powered resort, Hidden Valley Cabins and Tours has upped the ante to become the country’s first carbon neutral tourism operator purchasing carbon credits and using alternative natural power sources to offset any green house gases which are released.

Hidden Valley Cabins and Tours has completed in-house audits following the guidelines set down by Climate Friendly and has just received its carbon neutral certificate.

The resort, which is Australia’s first stand-alone operating with no support from a power grid, has introduced a range of carbon-friendly initiatives including replacing conventional light bulbs with energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs and minimising waste by compacting food and paper products for use in the garden.

Other green initiatives include educating guests and the public on the importance of protecting wildlife; building low impact walking tracks; recycling all aluminium cans, papers and cardboards; planting native trees and vegetation; and building with local timber.

The original Hidden Valley Cabins were established in 1982 to cater for timber cutters, tin miners and graziers in the area.

Ian and Bonnie McLennan bought the resort 21 years ago, demolishing the existing buildings and rebuilding the entire resort.

The frame work and roof trusses are made from selectively logged local hard wood, and the outside cladding on the buildings are railway sleeper off cuts which were commissioned to be burnt if not purchased by the McLennans.

The McLennans also undertook substantial revegetation to replace any native trees or plants lost in construction.

The resort is a multi-award winner, taking out top prize for both best Hosted Accommodation and New Tourism Development in the 2007 North Queensland Tourism Awards. It was also a finalist in the 2007 Queensland Tourism Awards for best Hosted Accommodation.

Situated near Running River on the western slope of the Paluma range, it is home to varying species of birds, butterflies, wallabies, lace monitors, platypus and nocturnal animals.

Earlier this year, Hidden Valley Cabins was a participant in the State Government, Queensland Tourism Industry Council and Tourism Queensland Pipeline Project aimed at providing business development assistance and mentoring.

The State Government partnered with Channel Nine’s Your Business Success show to produce a Queensland tourism edition featuring Hidden Valley Cabins and another Townsville region operator – Herveys Range Heritage Team Rooms – which was aired in October.
To find out more about Hidden Valley Cabin’s environmental policies click here.