Eco-news round-up 24Jul12
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Sustainability news round-up
Several of Butlins’ Redcoats have turned green to launch a new initiative with The Wildlife Trust. The Greencoat Guides will help holidaymakers explore the beaches and wildlife while dressed in (you guessed it) green coats and green converse trainers. It is the first time Butlins’ infamous red coats have been launched in another colour. “The move demonstrates Butlins’ long-term commitment to preserving and promoting Britain’s great beaches” said Allan Lambert, head of retail sales at Bourne Leisure. “Our guests love to be beside the seaside and there are huge benefits to venturing outdoors, so we’ve teamed up with The Wildlife Trust to train a group of Greencoats to help families re-connect with the natural world”.
Virgin Atlantic’s tool to save £20m
Virgin Atlantic is set to save £20 million and 92,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year by using a new fuel management tool, it has said. The product will be rolled out across the airline this week as part of its sustainability programme, measuring fuel usage from 300 points including holding patterns; pilot technique and fuel use on the ground. “This really is a very exciting phase in our commitment to drive fuel efficiency and carbon reductions. We have had initiatives in place for many years, which are generating significant benefits, however the OSyS tool will truly be a step change for us,” said Corneel Koster, director of operations, safety and security at Virgin Atlantic.
Campaigns raise park awareness, as more visit forests
A new initiative to get residents and tourists into city parks has been launched this week. Love Park Week is being held this week across London to showcase events, activities and visitation to parks, as well as run a Park Health Check and call for reinvestment. The launch follows research from the EUROPARC Federation that found 40 million people live in and around a park in Europe and work in the future should look to manage protected areas sustainably.
“Parks are the most democratic of places providing spaces for activity, relaxation, education as well as offering great health benefits,” said Mark Camley, director of park operations for the London Legacy Development Corporation. He added the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will reopen and hold events for next year’s awareness week.
In similar news, the National Forest Company (NFC) has been lifted by its latest report, which showed more than 150 hectares of forest were created in the last year with more than 20,000 people involved in forest activities.