£1 added to Blue Islands flights for carbon offset scheme

Monday 22 November 2021

Blue Islands ticket prices are going up by £1 per flight with the money being donated to a scheme launched by Durrell to offset their carbon footprint by 'rewilding' threatened ecosystems.

From today, all seats booked to fly from 1 December 2021 include a £1 “Carbon Offset Contribution” which Blue Islands will put towards “fully balancing the carbon impacts for every flight."

It is part of the airline’s commitment to ensure all its flights are carbon neutral from 1 December 2021.

The money will be donated to Durrell’s ‘Rewild Carbon’ scheme which allows individuals and businesses to buy carbon credits, each sequestering will one tonne of CO2e, which can use be used to balance a customer’s carbon emissions.

Video: Durrell's first 'Rewild Carbon; project focuses on the Atlantic Forest in Brazil.

The charity said that species-rich forests can sequester up to 40 times more carbon than monocultures. The first 'Rewild Carbon' project will take place in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, one of the richest, most biodiverse and threatened habitats on the planet which holds 7% of the world’s species.

Durrell will be working with local partners IPE (Instituto de Pesquisas Ecologicas), with whom they have partnered for many years, to restore 5,000 hectares of new forest through forest corridors and agroforestry.

The programme will not only cover reforestation – Durrell plans to plant seven million trees, from over 100 different native species - as well as animal and human regeneration to create a sustainable ecosystem in a previously ravaged rainforest area. 

“Connecting people, whether for our social wellbeing or economic prosperity, is an essential part of island life,” Rob Veron, CEO Blue Islands said.

“We recognise that this necessity comes at a cost to our planet, for which we all need to take responsibility and part of this is ensuring our air services are as sustainable as possible. By becoming carbon neutral, we are taking this vital first step in our journey towards our long-term goal of fully replacing the technology that we use.  

“With our heart in the Channel Islands, we’re proud to partner with an organisation that has developed an accountable, transparent and scientific programme to fully balance our carbon impacts for every flight, and that is synonymous with Jersey.”

Pictured: Rob Veron and Dr Lesley Vickie with Black Lion Tamarins.

Dr Lesley Dickie, CEO Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, said the charity was “delighted” of the partnership with the airline. 

“There is an urgent need to tackle both the climate and biodiversity crisis and we all need to take responsibility for reducing our carbon footprint and making sustainable choices,” she said.

“Rewild Carbon achieves so much more than removing carbon from the atmosphere -our project is also packed with biodiversity and community benefits that will protect both people and wildlife.

“Connectivity is a vital part of island life and Blue Islands’ commitment to Rewild Carbon means that we will be able accelerate our plans to connect forest fragments in the Atlantic Rainforest. We are looking forward to sharing updates with their customers on the growth of this forest and the wonderful wildlife that live there.”