Sustainable Sailing

Broker Alice gives her insights about how to enjoy the most beautiful corners of the world on your yacht charter without causing damage to the environment. #catchsunsetsnotcarbon

What is eco-tourism?

Ecotourism refers to a country’s effort to conserve the environment, wildlife and natural resources. Many countries have invested in many schemes to increase eco-tourism and to encourage visitors to act responsibility and to respect the environment.

For those who are eco-conscious and want to steer away from mass tourism, a sailing yacht or catamaran is a perfect way to reduce your carbon footprint and to explore some of the most beautiful locations on the planet. A sailing yacht, without or without your own skipper onboard is the best way to visit many countries without making a negative impact on the environment. Greta Thumberg even recently tried out sailing to make a statement on reducing her carbon footprint.

The Boatbookings team built a Carbon offset calculator tool so that you can see the carbon you are putting into the environment and remain conscious of the effects of high carbon emissions during a yacht charter!

To keep carbon emissions to a minimum during a yacht charter, I would advise the below charters:

Alice’s 5 Eco-friendly charter destinations

1- The Atlantic Crossing

Capelinhos Volcan view from above – Azores

The Atlantic Crossing is one of the best ways to reduce carbon emissions. The crossing also distances you away from everyday life as phone signal is limited. Many larger boats do this crossing twice a year and require crew.

The Azore Islands are a part of the crossing and make this one in a lifetime opportunity even more exciting! These islands offer a break from weeks of open water. Many yachts offer the ultimate Atlantic Experience as they cross the ocean once a year. Be like Greta and live the ultimate green travel experience.

2- The Bahamas national park explorations on a lower-carbon emission catamaran

Pig Beach, The Bahamas

Yacht owners across the Bahamas use their initiatives wisely and try to reduce the charter carbon emissions. You can do a beach clean in the Bahamas and sail into the national parks. Ensure to try to use the engine as little as possible here. Natural wildlife such as iguanas, marine life, nurse sharks and pigs are prevalent throughout. If you have the chance, head over to the Abacos Islands to support the distraught community following the hurricane destruction and help the Bahamas become cleaner than ever. These waters are the bluest in the world and require high maintenance to avoid pollution and to reduce the negative effects of mass tourism.

3- Northern Sardinia Conservation Charter

Northern Sardinia is known for its national park La Maddalena. Take a sailboat or a sailing catamaran around this beautiful island and sail to Corsica to see some undisturbed beauty. This itinerary will allow you to discover some of the beauties of the natural world, including bright blue waters, marine life and plastic-free beaches. Efforts have been made to ensure that these waters remain unspoiled and that the area conserves all of the natural resources. Be sure to participate in a local scheme if you decide to visit Northern Sardinia on your yacht charter.

4- The Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are renowned for eco-tourism and for containing some of the rarest, most endangered species on the globe. Before it is too late be sure to book your next yacht charter here to witness one of the remaining, unspoilt beauties of the world. Explore the widest selection of bio-diversity both on land and below water in the world.

5- Beach Clean-up in the BVI

As well as supporting the community and the effects of hurricane IRMA, take time to review the beautiful British Virgin Islands and to ensure that the islands remain green, clean and emission free!

Tips to improve your Carbon Footprint on your charter

1- Use the engine as little as possible

2- Limit fishing or put fish back in the water

3- Reduce plastic consumption onboard including excess packaging often found in the Caribbean.

4- Take water bottles on the charter and fill up at local facilities.

5- Participate in local schemes such as beach cleans to reduce your impact on the environment.

Speak to the Boatbookings team to discuss an eco-friendly yacht charter today.

Greta Thunberg

TRACK GRETA HERE.

16-year-old Greta Thunberg waves to her fans as she embarks on a climate change protest across the Atlantic.

I have found it almost ludicrous the level of animosity that Greta has experienced while taking on peaceful, low emission protest. At age 15 she started protesting in Sweeden, outside their houses of parliament to raise awareness for the direction this world is traveling in. It is undeniable, just like numbers, science does not lie – but people in power do.

Day 6. North Azores

The science is clear,” Greta announces before embarking on a cross Atlantic passage set to take 2 weeks. “We must start bending the [carbon] emissions curve steeply downwards no later than 2020, if we still are to have a chance of staying below a 1.5 [Celsius] degrees of global temperature rise.

According to CO2 earth, the level of CO2 emissions in the world has increased on every month. It is undeniable that we are heading to a point of no return if we do not act fast. Greta has taken it upon her self as a 16-year-old, to travel and raise awareness for the change in our climate.

Check out our carbon offset calculator

Track Greta on https://tracker.borisherrmannracing.com/

Some people may not ever live a life without air travel, and that’s fine. On the same token, people who live their life with climate change at the forefront of everything they do should not be slated. Every single person should be doing their bit for climate change, at the very least should be conscious and educated about climate change. This isn’t a rant about climate change, but about how people treat others when people have a passion.

What are Boatbookings doing to help combat the carbon footprint in their clients?

Carbon offsetting

Whenever you use a motor on a yacht, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is emitted into the atmosphere. Carbon Dioxide has been scientifically linked to Global Climate Change and Warming. With the worldwide concern about Carbon Emissions, we wanted to help our Charterers to be able to have a fantastic charter while also being friendly to Mother Earth.

Fortunately, there are a variety of organizations that allow you to buy “carbon credits” to offset the emissions you create while chartering. The United Nations works with many charities and NPOs to certify projects that will reduce carbon emissions. Projects such as building electricity-generating dams that will replace carbon fuel (coal) burning electrical generation. Wind farms. Tree Planting, etc.

Use our Carbon offset calculator to calculate your emissions into credits to help reduce your carbon footprint on your charter.

Wonder how you can have a reduced carbon footprint on your charter? Check out our Green Chartering page dedicated to reducing your carbon footprint on your charter.

We are behind you, Greta!!!