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A Carbon Neutral Holiday

The term carbon neutral was coined by advocates against global warming and is part of their vernacular. Amazingly, there are about 25 different definitions of this term, which was the 2007 Oxford Dictionary ‘Word’ of the Year. It appears in dictionaries published since 2008.

In attempts to raise awareness and fight global warming, proponents use a long list of acronyms such as carbon neutral; carbon footprint, carbon offset, carbon tax, carbon sequestration, carbon credits, green power and green tags to name just a few.


Carbon Offsetting…

The simplest definition of carbon neutral is: using a process to offset carbon dioxide emissions by reducing consumption and using alternative energy sources to eliminate carbon footprints. To achieve carbon neutrality, it is necessary to calculate carbon dioxide emissions in tonnes and offset them by planting trees and developing alternative energy sources.

Carbon offsets are, in reality money, yours, everyone else’s and mine. To offset our carbon footprints we can purchase new trees or buy carbon credits in “green” technologies, such as solar and wind power. In return, we receive a certificate and a clear conscience. We are doing our part to overcome global warming.


It’s all about money

Tourism ads offer carbon neutral holidays to entice tourists to worldwide destinations. This is a clever marketing tool and at first glance seems like a great idea. When you do a little research, however, you may discover carbon neutral only applies to a solar heated swimming pool.

The carbon neutral holiday is the latest trend in attempts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and offset those we cannot, by purchasing trees and buying into alternative sources of energy. The travel industry is on a campaign to win tourism cash by advertising carbon neutral holidays.

Carbon neutral tourism is supported by Planning Solutions Consulting Limited, a UK based research and consulting company located in Havant, Hampshire. The company performs feasibility studies, develops marketing strategies and advises companies on ways to market their products, which include carbon neutral holidays. Carbon neutral holidays is a term worldwide travellers are seeing more and more in ads.


It doesn’t mean just sitting there in the woods

Some hotels, resorts and other holiday destinations are recycling and offering solar heated swimming pools and cabins. Some are finding ways to use alternative sources of energy, such as “green” power. There are a few newly built “green buildings”, however, there are not many of these as of yet. Some older hotels have changed their heating and air- conditioning systems over to “green” power.

There are holiday destinations taking drastic steps to become carbon neutral, but they are finding this a very expensive endeavour. Giving your money to purchase trees and donations made towards the development of alternative sources of energy can help alleviate some of the expense.

The purchase of thousands of trees and carbon credits to fund development of alternative energy sources legitimises some carbon neutral holiday ads. Not every destination advertising a carbon neutral holiday is actually carbon neutral. Inviting you to wipe out your carbon footprints by spending your money is part of some carbon neutral holiday offers.


You buy trees to go anywhere in the world

Here are some examples of ads offering carbon neutral holidays in the United Kingdom.

1. Enjoy a carbon neutral holiday stay in Wales. Choose your self-catering cabin and drive to Plas Farm in South Wales, presented by Swansea Valley Holiday Cottages. The farm, a six-hour drive from London, is a short distance from J45 on the M4 motorway. The cabins have space for four and extra children’s cots are available. Plas Farm is a thirty-minute drive from the Gower Peninsula’s beautiful beaches and a twenty- minute drive from the Swansea - Cork ferry to Ireland.

Contribute £10 to the ‘climate friendly fund’ to replace your carbon footprints and support the climate-friendly projects on the farm. You will receive a recycled paper certificate for helping to offset carbon footprints. Plant an oak sapling for only £10 and you will have a certificate to take home. When your oak is full grown, it will absorb a tonne of carbon dioxide.


How about contributing to an Oak Tree?

You can also plant a specimen tree for £50. You receive a picture of your tree and a certificate. Your name and the spot where your tree stands, appears on a website page dedicated to those who make such purchases. Visit their site for all the information about a carbon neutral holiday in Wales

2. The Lombard Farm, Home of Adventure Cornwall in Mixtow, Fowey, is about six miles from Lostwithiel railway station and about forty minutes from Newquay airport. You can take a taxi from Newquay airport, where one company even operates a carbon neutral electric cab.


Lombard Farm

The Lombard Farm is carbon neutral and offers accommodation in two farmhouses and a large yurt. The farm strives to be as carbon neutral as possible by minimising carbon dioxide emissions. It uses low energy light bulbs and a solar photovoltaic (PV) panel lights the Yurt. The house uses solar thermal and wood burners and solar heat for the showers. The entire site is eco-friendly and everything is recycled.

Lombard Farm has a tree-planting programme to offset carbon dioxide emissions, which come from the oil-fired equipment used in farming. The owners plan to use only renewable fuels by the end of 2010. Visitors who arrive by public transport, electric car or bicycle receive a special discount on their carbon neutral holiday there. Visit the website and request a brochure.

3. Norfolk Holiday Cottages, in Cranmer near Fakenham, offer three carbon neutral cabins with five additional eco-friendly cabins. The accommodation is self-catering and children are welcome. There is an indoor, solar-heated, swimming pool and tennis courts in addition to 175-acres of land for you to roam. The cottages and grounds, which are located near Holkham and the North Norfolk coast, are near a beautiful beach. You will find cycling and hiking trails as well as marshes, a perfect spot for bird watching. Norfolk Holiday Cottages is a perfect destination for a family, carbon neutral holiday or weekend break.


Norfolk. It is nice.

The nearby Holt & Burnham Market offers great shopping. There is a local health and beauty spa offering weekly specials and several first class restaurants. Visit the website.

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