Newquay Cornwall Airport leads the way in carbon offsetting

A pioneering scheme will see Newquay Cornwall Airport become the first in the UK to introduce a carbon offsetting scheme covering all terminal and air field operations.

An exciting partnership between Cornwall Council and the Eden Project will see the scheme in action next year, five years ahead of schedule.

The airport is also investing in a new initiative to provide funds for the insulation of Cornish homes for free.

Carolyn Rule, Cornwall Council cabinet member for the economy, said: "By making the airport's operations carbon neutral five years ahead of schedule we are demonstrating our intention to develop the airport sustainably and providing a model for other airports in the UK and Europe to follow."

The airport, which already carefully monitors the carbon footprint of its operations, has a range of ongoing projects to reduce its carbon emissions.

Now a new fund will be set up which will receive an annual payment from the airport to offset the carbon emissions that come from its terminal and airfield operations. This will be a full five years ahead of the commitments the airport made in its Masterplan published on 4 June this year.

Cllr Rule said: "I am keen to see the Airport go from strength to strength because of the significant contribution it can make to the growth of Cornwall's economy, this announcement shows the strength of the Airport's resolve in ensuring that growth is delivered responsibly."

The offsets, provided by Eden Project's partnership with Climate Care are in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in developing countries.

Tom Flanagan, director of Environment, Planning and Economy at Cornwall Council said: "This fund and the collaborative approach adopted by the key partners, all of whom are Cornish based, serves to demonstrate that by working together Cornwall can be at the forefront of innovative initiatives such as this one that can deliver growth within a low carbon economy. I hope it provides an example for other major companies or organisations in Cornwall to follow."

As well as the verified carbon offsets, Newquay Airport is paying for a pioneering scheme, managed by Community Energy Plus (CEP), which will provide top-up funding for government grants so that around 50 Cornish households will be insulated for free in 2010.

Chris Cain, project director for the airport said: "We are very pleased that Eden and CEP have been able to devise a way of meeting one of our key environmental objectives ahead of schedule and are delighted to be partnering with them.

"We are also grateful for the advice that Cornwall Development Company's Low Carbon Unit has been able to provide in what is a developing funding area and in helping to find the right partners for us to work with.

"Although the details of the fund's operation are still being being finalised, we expect it to come into operation at the beginning of October with a first funding contribution being made at the end of the financial year."

The offsetting plan has been devised with expert assistance from Low Carbon Cornwall, based at the Cornwall Development Company.

Tim German, head of Low Carbon Cornwall, said: "This is a positive stepping stone towards the development of a carbon trading system to support sustainable investment in Cornwall's businesses and communities. It is encouraging that the council has utilised the Government's system of an escalating carbon price valuation. It is part of our approach to demonstrate Cornwall's leadership in being a low carbon economic zone."

Mark Beeley, Eden retail director said: "The Eden Project Climate Fund was developed to do more than other, more traditional carbon offset schemes. At Eden we call this offset plus because it combines investment in certified carbon reduction projects around the world, along with investment in education and other projects which will contribute to a low carbon future for all of us.

"We're really happy to be supporting Newquay Airport in this venture which goes way beyond what they have to do environmentally. If it is successful it could pave the way for many more local offsetting schemes, bringing direct benefits to many British households.''

Ian Smith, managing director of CEP, said: "Insulating lofts and cavity walls is the quickest and most cost effective way of reducing carbon emissions, plus it saves money for the householder as well.

"CEP has been managing schemes to insulate homes for over 10 years, and is very pleased to be working with Cornwall Council and the Eden Project to help even more people save money on their fuel bills."

For further information:

Eden Project website:

http://www.edenproject.com/our-work/people/climate-revolution/index.php

Climate Revolution' Community Energy Plus (CEP) website:

http://www.cep.org.uk/

News kindly provided by Cornwall Council

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