carbonneutraltourism.co.uk

Premier The Honourable Anna Bligh
Monday, May 26, 2008

Bligh congratulates world leading ecotourism tourism operator

Townsville: Hidden Valley Cabins, Australia’s first 100% carbon neutral and solar powered resort, is a shining example of the Queensland tourism industry’s environmental commitment Premier Anna Bligh said today.

The Premier, in Townsville for Community Cabinet, presented Ian and Bonnie McLennan, owners of the resort 1.5 hours north-west of Townsville, with a Tourism Queensland certificate of recognition for outstanding leadership in environmental sustainability.

“Much of Queensland’s tourism industry centres on our wonderful natural assets and it is essential that we continue protect those areas that make a visit to our state so special,” Ms Bligh said.

“Climate change has been identified as the number one long-term issue affecting Queensland’s $8.4 billion tourism industry and it is fantastic to see a family-owned property like Hidden Valley Cabins taking the lead and really walking the talk,” she said.

Ms Bligh said after reducing its carbon-based emissions, the fully solar-powered property had purchased carbon credits to offset the rest of its operational activities.

It had also gained Advanced Ecotourism accreditation under Ecotourism Australia’s rigorous ECO Certification program.

Ecotourism Australia works closely with Tourism Queensland in encouraging the state’s nature-based tourism operators to become ECO Certified.

“Queensland has more than 250 ECO Certified tourism products, the largest of any state.”

“This is proof of the commitment our tourism industry has in ensuring it grows in a sustainable way while protecting our natural assets.”

Ms Bligh said tourists, particularly those from international markets such as Europe and the UK, were increasingly asking for tourism products’ “green credentials” before booking a holiday.

“It’s important for Queensland’s tourism operators to look to the future and take Hidden Valley Cabins’ lead by implementing environmentally sustainable practices wherever possible.”

“Improving environmental sustainability is a win-win situation for operators – not only will they help preserve our environment, but they will be able to capitalise on a growing trend for ecotourism products.”

Ms Bligh said Hidden Valley Cabins was proof of what initiative, ingenuity and a commitment to positive change could achieve.

Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=58228

A note from London Business Conferences.

Carbon and Environmental Footprint Supply Chain 2008
24-25 September 2008, The Westin, Times Square, New York, US

We look forward to welcoming many of you to the 2008 Carbon Footprint: Sustainable Supply Chain Summit taking place this Thursday and Friday, with the pre-conference morning workshop on Successful Consumer Engagement tomorrow morning at 9.30am (Canterbury Room of the Thistle Marble Arch, London).

Please be aware that the Summit itself begins at 8:50 on Thursday 29th May, so please arrive in good time to collect your badge and have a cup of tea and coffee before we start. Please also be aware of the innovative, SAS sponsored Working Group Sessions that will punctuate the end of the first day, leading into the Drinks Reception hosted by our Lead Sponsors - LRQA. We are looking to compile a fantastic, pan-audience array of best-practice solutions, opinion, insight and indeed the very next need-to-know issues for every delegate to receive following the event.

The flagship London Summit has been another major success in the growing international series that sees the next ground-breaking event take place on the US East Coast in New York for September.

If you have any questions at all regarding the Summit and Workshop this week in London, September in New York or indeed the other cross-industry Summits - including IT, Construction and Aviation - that form part of the acclaimed series dedicated to helping companies maximise the economic and environmental benefits of effective climate change strategies - please contact us on +44 (0) 207 749 0470, or e-mail info@london-business-conferences.co.uk.

Look forward to seeing you this week or in New York later in the year!

Kind Regards

Oliver Hurrey
Senior Conference Director
London Business Conferences
Direct: +44 (0) 207 7490 493
Mobile: +44 (0) 7876 252698
oliver@london-business-conferences.co.uk
www.london-business-conferences.co.uk

Apple may place solar cells behind the LCD screens to enable owners of iPods and iPhones to recharge their devices without using mains electric. Source http://www.macrumors.com

Defra’s (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) website has a whole range of information about carbon offsetting which may be of interest to readers.

The Peak District National Park Authority has turned down an application from the National Trust to errect a wind turbine to help supply electricity to White Edge Lodge holiday cottage.

CSR Graduate position within an outstanding FMCG sustainability opportunity. This is an exciting opportunity for an excellent and ambitious graduate to join a multinational fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) firm, which is already widely respected in the sustainability field. Reporting to the Head of Sustainability (Europe), the right person will find this an outstanding launch pad for a CSR career, with the support, resource and impact of a multinational company.

The job:

• Supporting the Head of Sustainability and technical teams across business units, you will provide high quality project management and sustainability advice across a range of sustainability initiatives, with an emphasis on technical solutions to sustainability challenges.
• Implementing projects relating to the European sustainability focus areas of carbon management, packaging, procurement and communications. You will be involved with identifying and keeping abreast of key sustainability issues that affect the organisation and coordinating the business response.
• Assist in the development of relationships with key external stakeholders, including NGOs, retailers, suppliers and consumers. Coordinate responses and reactions to sustainability issues.
• Developing sustainability training for key parts of the European business through interactive tools, presentations and teacher-led training from outside providers.

You:

• Are an ambitious, highly organised graduate, with a history of excellence in everything you do.
• Are analytical, with a strong aptitude for technical information. You may also have a technical or scientific-orientated degree.
• Are committed to the sustainability agenda, with a firm understanding of the wide range of issues associated with the triple-bottom-line in an FMCG company.
• Understand the business perspective and are highly professional, with some experience in the corporate sector. You are practical and action-orientated.
• Are an excellent oral and written communicator, with experience of communicating with confidence to a variety of stakeholder groups. You are a fluent English speaker, with an international outlook.

Location: Surrey
Deadline: May 30th 2008

If you’d like to be considered for this position, please send Bright Green your details here, with the following job reference included in the subject: European Sustainability Executive - 10262

Under the Thatch a provider of self catering breaks in traditional properties have recently announced that they have added several properties to their offer. 

They include Pont Esgob a cottage which sleeps 2 adults and 2 children.  Located in the Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons National Park the restoration was completed in April 2008.

Find out more click > Under the Thatch.  

The 2008 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, founded and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with several partners has recently opened their website to nominations for the 2008 awards. If you want to nominate an individual working in the field of tourism or company from the tourism sector which you believe has made a significant contribution to improving the environment click here. There are 13 categories from best small accommodation through to best for low carbon transport or technology.

Justin Francis, Managing Director of responsibletravel.com commented: “The Responsible Tourism Awards is now the largest and most prestigious Awards scheme of its kind in the world. More and more destinations, travel ventures (both large and small), tourist boards and travellers around the globe, are signing up to the concept of responsible tourism. Not only is it a more enjoyable and authentic way to travel but it is also the only way forward if travel is to have a sustainable future.”

Small and specialist sustainability consultancy delivering best practice in building energy consumption and environmental design. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing dynamic sustainability consultancy consisting of environmental consultants, engineers of various disciplines and academics. The company develops cutting-edge consultancy and software products and services to help clients with sustainability assessments at the design stage of developments.

The company has a diverse array of clients, including involvement with the Olympic Games, projects in the Middle East and commercial towers in the City of London. Passionate about operating at the forefront of energy modelling and low/zero carbon feasibility studies, the team are seeking an Experienced BREEAM Consultant to lead this aspect on a number of their most high-profile projects.

The job:

• Sitting primarily within the consulting stream of the business, you will provide excellent consultancy services such as BREEAM assessments for Olympic Games buildings, schools, housing and mixed developments.
• The role will also involve using and developing in-house sustainability tools developed by the company
• As the company grows, it is expected that you will have excellent opportunities for personal advancement.

You:

• Are a certified BREEAM assessor (non-domestic), with experience of more than three BREEAM assessments, including at least one end-to-end completion.
• Are knowledgeable in UK building and planning regulations.
• Have a track record of managing client expectations and working with a range of design teams.
• Are an excellent project and time manager, with a methodical work ethic.
• Are an excellent communicator and capable of working autonomously and proactively.
• Would benefit from other qualifications such as CIBSE membership, or the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Location: Central London
Deadline: 22nd May

If you’d like to be considered for this position, please send Bright Green your details here, with the following job reference included in the subject: Experienced BREEAM Consultant 10261

The 1883 built steam passenger vessel ‘Alaska‘  is taking a radical lead in making travel on the River Thames Greener and has changed over to a sustainable carbon neutral fuel. Previously fired with Welsh steam coal she is now changing over to  recycled wood waste briquettes, a product made from recycled waste sawdust and woodchips from manufacturing  processes.

Thames Steamers’  Director, Peter Green, has wanted to reduce the vessel’s carbon footprint for a number of years but until recently the only available alternative fuel was ordinary wood which has a very low heat output compared with coal, making it physically impossible to carry the large volume required to generate the equivalent amount of steam that coal burning produces. With coal the boat could carry enough fuel for about 36 hours running, (essential when covering long distances along the 90 odd miles of river between Oxford and Teddington), whilst a boat load of wood would only last for a few hours at best.

However, the briquettes are formed under very high pressure which makes them very dense and enables them to give a similar  heat output to coal.  Members of the public may take a ‘green’ cruise aboard ‘Alaska‘ over the Late May Bank Holiday Weekend.