Cabon Offset Scheme

Tree Planting Update

We are proud to announce that 10,000 new trees were planted in August in three community sites in the south of The Gambia as part of our Opt in & Offset carbon offset scheme.

Not only does this project help offset carbon emissions but also produces community benefits in terms of food, fruit and medicine from the trees used. Many of the trees are specially planted to produce pollen to encourage bees. The honey is used for food, health, medicine and beauty products offering an income from its sales.

A tree planting festival was organised by Sifo Kafo Farm, one of the three sites, to mark the occasion with Mandinka drumming and dancing. We planted 3,000 gmalina, cashew and other trees in two farms belonging to the Sifo Kafo Farms. The Iman blessed the trees and all the village elders gave their full support. The whole village community attended and took part in a symbolic planting ceremony and there was a sense of pride and determination to see these trees grow to maturity.

All trees are protected for at least 20 years through a management agreement signed by the village Alkalo (village head) on behalf of each community. TICOS has provided an experienced forester to help with maintenance and the replacement of any trees damaged or lost and long-term management is exercised by the Travel Foundation's national advisor.

Over the next 20 years of the management agreement, the carbon offset will be equivalent to 5,000 tonnes which equates to the CO2 created by 5,000 return flights from the UK to The Gambia.

The photographs below show a planting ceremony in Sifo attended by us, TICOS and the Travel Foundation and supported by the whole village. The village elders all planted a tree and TICOS also contributed to the event by planting 50 trees to help to offset recent staff flights.

For more information on our carbon offset scheme, how it works and how you can help please see below.

Optin & Offset

Everyday activities such as driving and heating your home all create carbon dioxide (CO2) which causes climate change and flights are no exception. As a specialist tour operator with an on going commitment to responsible tourism and a 3 star status, we felt that a carbon offset scheme was the next step for us and initially set up our own carbon offset scheme for The Gambia Experience. On the success of this we have now expanded the scheme to The Cape Verde Experience and plan to do the same for Corsican Places. Primarily monies collected will fund our two projects in The Gambia but we are researching into setting up a project in Cape Verde and Corsica in the future.

We have committed to developing Responsible Tourism programmes that give benefits to the environment and host communities in The Gambia. We are working with the Tourism Industry Carbon Offset Service (TICOS) to offer you the opportunity to contribute to a project that will help offset the carbon emissions of your flight.

Community Tree Planting

10,000 trees have been planted in and around villages in The Gambia which absorb carbon dioxide as they photosynthesise. Each tree we plant will offset the equivalent of 0.5 tonnes of CO2 over a 20 year period.

Not only will this have a positive effect on the environment but it will also produce crops such as food, fruit and medicines for local people.

Introduction of Solar Power

By introducing new technology it will reduce carbon emissions by using natural energies primarily to heat water, aiming for a 70% decrease in water heating costs. In addition this new system will create meaningful jobs for Gambians and some of the savings made in energy bills will be redirected to fund the installation of solar power in schools to drive computers.

Offsetting is simple. All donations made will be invested in our two projects which both generate CO2 savings to balance out your flight emissions.

How it works

When you come to pay for your holiday or flight, whether it is over the phone, on our website, through a travel agent or by invoice, you will be given the option of carbon offsetting your flight for the additional cost of £5 per person for Gambia and Cape Verde clients or /docs/holidays/capeVerdeExperience.aspx for Corsica clients. Further information on the scheme will be sent with your invoice so unless you are booking within 8 weeks of travel, you do not need to make a decision straightaway. It is entirely up to you if you wish to pay this. If you choose not to, simply deduct this amount from your invoice or tell the sales representative you would like to opt out of this.

Climate change is a worldwide problem and whilst we cannot solve it, we can all pull together and make a difference.

Follow the progress of your contribution

Go to our website www.gambia.co.uk/carbonoffset, www.capeverdeexperience.co.uk/carbonoffset or www.ticos.co.uk to see how your contribution has made a difference.

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