Although the science of climate change, in particular the overall impact of aviation, is not yet fully understood, it is generally accepted that the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by aircraft fuel emissions is contributing to climate change.
The flights taken by Sunvil’s 30,000 customers generate about 12,000 tonnes of CO2 every year – around the same as 3,500 cars. One return flight to Romania means you are responsible for about 0.42 tonnes of CO2 being released into the atmosphere.
Together with Carbon Offsets Limited – the company entrusted with administering the ABTA/AITO carbon reduction programme (Reduce My Footprints), Sunvil can help you offset some of the damage these emissions cause. Offsetting is straightforward. Donations made will be invested in verified offset projects, such as renewable energy, that generate CO2 savings to balance out your emissions.
On your holiday confirmation invoice you will see that we have added a per person price of £2.55 per person, which represents the average cost of offsetting a flight to Romania. This is, of course, a matter of personal choice – if you choose not to do so then please simply deduct the amount from your final balance.
We do not claim carbon offsetting to be the total solution but feel that it’s a start. The recent trend to several cheap short breaks per annum has exacerbated the problem. At Sunvil all our staff air travel is offset and, amongst other measures, we also turn all lights, computers and screens off every night! Small things individually, perhaps, but when together then we believe that any contribution, however small, is worthwhile.
For further information please visit the website www.carbon-offsets.com
Sunvil’s Current Project
Retezat National Park is located in the Southern Carpathians in Transylvania, Romania and covers over 38.000 hectares. The Park shelters one of Europe's last remaining, unaffected natural primary forest and the largest single area of pristine mixed forest. Wolves, brown bear, wild boar, lynx, wildcat, chamois, roe and red deer, as well as small carnivore species such as badger and otter populate the area.
The money donated by Sunvil customers will fund two carbon offset initiatives within the Park; the implementation of alternative energy systems (solar power) for the visitor centres, community centres and information points and the introduction of bio-fuel minibuses and a new car park to reduce car access into the heart of the forest.
