carbonneutraltourism.co.uk

Maybe in California?

Stagecoach one of the leading operators of buses and trains in the UK is running a trial in Kilmarnock where eight of their buses are powered by bio-diesel, which has resulted in an 82% reduction in CO2 emissions.

The really clever element of this project is that customers are encouraged to exchange their used cooking oil in exchange for discounted travel vouchers.   Consumers on the bus route have been given a container to collect their used cooking oil in which is taken to the local council’s recycling plant.

In June 2007 EasyJet unveiled a prototype of their ‘ecoJet’ which could reduce CO2 emissions by 50%.   Read more in The Guardian.

EasyJet have called for the introduction of a ‘green efficiency tax’ to replace the air passenger duty. EasyJet believe that the ‘green efficiency tax’ could be based on the type of aircraft and distance travelled.

Andy Harrison, EasyJet Chief Executive, commented: “We have long argued that the current structure of APD is in need of reform. A tax that penalises families but excludes private jets; and charges passengers travelling to Marrakech the same as those travelling to Melbourne, is just plain wrong. A structure that taxes a passenger in the newest, cleanest aircraft the same as someone in an old gas-guzzler cannot be allowed to continue.”

“GoLoco is a service that helps people and communities create their own personal public transportation network. Your cars, your friends, your trips, your expenses - GoLoco puts them all together for a seamless way to share travel and expenses.”

GoLoco is a service founded in the USA and used to link you to other people who want to share your journey. You can also add the GoLoco application to your Facebook page.

May be it could be a way for people planning ‘long road trips’ to meet and share the costs?

Find out more about GoLoco here.

The Solar Shuttle carries 42 passengers and is powered by two engines allowing it to cruise at 4mph across the Serpentine. A similar boat powered by a diesel engine could produce up to 2900lbs of CO2 per annum.

KiteShip - an innovative way to help power cruise ships!  Very large free-flying sails, which are being produced by KiteShip, are been used to help power commercial and leisure marine craft. Some of the advantages include using less fuel therefore, less cost and CO2 emissions are reduced.

KiteShip have won the the Lexus Transportation Prize at the first California Clean Tech Open in 2006.  Find out more by visiting KiteShip’s website.

Tourism relies upon the aeroplane. Dough Rodante President of Green Flight International may just have the answer.

World’s first jet flight powered entirely on renewable bio-diesel fuel. Green Flight International and Biodiesel Solutions partner to set a new precedent in the use of renewable fuels in transportation.

‘RENO, NV. (October 5)… Aviation history was made earlier this week in the high desert at the Reno-Stead Airport when an L-29 military aircraft piloted by Carol Sugars and Douglas Rodante succeeded in completing the world’s first jet flight powered solely by 100% biodiesel fuel. The Czechoslovakian-made aircraft is rated to fly on a variety of fuels including heating oil, making it the preferred platform for testing biodiesel in jet engines.

The experimental test flights were conducted starting with a blend of jet fuel and biodiesel. The engine data was measured and the performance was evaluated and found acceptable for continued use, eventually resulting in the landmark flight using 100% renewable biodiesel fuel. According to Chief Pilot Carol Sugars who wrote and conducted the test program, “As we gradually increased the amount of biodiesel in the fuel blend, the data confirmed that the aircraft continued to perform well, giving me the confidence to transition to 100% biodiesel.” Flight tests were conducted up to an altitude of 17,000 feet showing no significant difference in performance compared to conventional jet fuel.

“This test program between Green Flight International and Biodiesel Solutions was a unique and exciting opportunity to show what can be done in renewable fuels.” said Rudi Wiedemann, president of Biodiesel Solutions. “The very idea of using 100% biodiesel to fly a jet aircraft makes a compelling statement about the possibilities for the future of renewable energy and a healthier planet.”

Out of concern for our global environment, Green Flight International was conceived by Douglas Rodante in April 2006 to serve as a platform for future development in the use of environmentally-friendly fuels in aviation and elsewhere. “It is imperative that the global community take immediate steps to reduce our carbon footprint, because we can no longer afford to wait while our environment continues to degrade.” said Rodante. “By implementing even a small amount of bio-degradable fuel in our transportation system we can significantly reduce the CO2 (greenhouse gasses) and NOx (the precursor to smog) that contribute to global warming.”

In the near future Green Flight International expects to announce plans for another record-breaking aviation event. They invite aviation and biofuel enthusiasts to inquire about how they might be able to participate in this exciting venture. For more information contact Doug Rodante at (407) 880-2501 or doug@greenflightinternational.com .’

Scottish Natural Heritage have published a report ‘Transport Tourism and the Environment in Scotland‘ which examines transport used by tourist and impacts on the environment.

Something I haven’t seen before.  Ethical Taxi  based in Salisbury (Wiltshire, UK) state:  “Whatever vehicles and fuel we use, ethical taxi Salisbury recognize that we will have a negative impact on the environment. Until such times as clean and renewable sources of fuel become available this is an unavoidable by-product of our business. Our commitment is to offset our total CO2 emissions impact by investing in offset programs. We make the commitment to offset a minimum of 125% of our total CO2 emissions each year.”  Visit their website here.