Wightlink is once again challenging the people of the Isle of Wight to come up with good ideas to help the Island become more sustainable, through its Green Innovation Fund.
Island groups are invited to apply for a share of £10,000 to turn their environmentally friendly dreams into reality and make a real difference in their community through helping to cut carbon emissions and reduce the use of fossil fuels.
“We have already awarded Wightlink Green Innovation Fund grants to primary schools, secondary schools and community groups to encourage Islanders to advance towards a more sustainable future,” says the ferry company’s Sustainability Champion Louise Lea. “This is another opportunity for people to get together and come up with a brilliant idea to benefit our Island, a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.”
The first two Wightlink Green Innovation Fund grants for community groups were announced earlier this year.
Waterside Community Trust, which runs Ryde’s community pool and promotes safety along the coast, received £7,500 towards the cost of an electric-powered beach buggy.
Trust General Manager Todd Miller says: “Our lifeguards will use it to tow our beach wheelchairs, an inshore rescue boat and other equipment, perform patrols and much more in both Ryde and Sandown, while helping us to reduce our carbon emissions and look after the amazing Island we live on.”
Alternative transport trailblazer Keert received £2,500 towards buying a new e-cargo bike to serve the West Wight. Using an e-cargo bike improves air quality, makes roads quieter and reduces traffic noise. They can carry up to 150kg and large volumes of parcels.
Wightlink was awarded the Net Zero Navigator award by Maritime UK Solent earlier this year, recognising the company’s commitment to decarbonise its operations.
Following the arrival of its hybrid flagship Victoria of Wight in 2018, which cut carbon emissions by 20 per cent, Wightlink has focused on sustainability. The ferry company has drawn up plans for all-electric ferries once shore power is available at its ports and commissioned a study into decarbonising the rest of the fleet. Meanwhile, it is installing more electric vehicle (EV) chargers at ports, fitting solar panels and redoubling efforts to improve recycling rates.
The winning Wightlink Green Innovation Fund applications will be:
- Projects that bring people together to make a positive impact on the environment.
- Applications which include both immediate and long-term commitments to create a more sustainable Isle of Wight.
- Projects that use technology to improve energy efficiency or encourage more people to conserve energy or use less of it.
- Original thinking; something innovative. Maybe your idea is something that’s never been done on the Isle of Wight?
- Projects that lead the way for others. Will it inspire other people to follow your lead, so there’s a wider benefit to the Island?
