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Going Carbon Neutral

The Highland Fling Chases the Holy Grail: Responsible Fun

For a number of years, we’ve felt a little guilty about the resources putting on our events consume and the fuel burnt by riders coming to these events by car or plane. The great advantage of the events however are the huge health and social benefits they offer and the opportunities they offer for fundraising. For a couple of years we’ve looked at the options available and in that time the whole industry of offsetting carbon dioxide emissions has grown up substantially (it still has some way to go to reach adulthood!).

The 2007 Highland Fling was the first cycling event in Australia to go Carbon Neutral. We tallied up everything from the road miles the barrier fencing truck drove, through to how long the lights burned in the event hall. These outputs from the event were converted into equivalent tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. We then looked to finance a project that reduced carbon dioxide emissions by the same volume. Plus we invited riders and their entourages to contribute an amount based on their event travel as well.

In 2008 we did even more to make the Fling more environmentally responsible. And obviously there’s plenty to do, not all of which we’ll successfully pull off. However, the little that we have achieved, already has other events asking us for advice, so we trust you’ll join us in doing what we can.

We see it as a three way process:

1. Reduce the energy and materials consumption, where we have direct control.
Like last year we’ll be operating a refundable deposit scheme on all drinks sold at the event. Caterers will be using compostable plates and utensils. We’ll have centralised rubbish bins. Both of these programme will be ratcheted up a notch to make them even more effective. We’ll again be investigating public transport from Sydney to Bundanoon so that at least Sydney based riders can leave the car at home. We’ll again provide a shuttle bus service between the village and the camping ground. And more.

2. Contribute to carbon offset programmes to cover those aspects we have less control over.
Last year, as you may recall, we directed our carbon offsets to household energy efficiency projects, such as the installation of compact fluorescent light bulbs to replace energy hogging incandescents. We were on such a winner there for carbon dioxide reduction, that the Australian federal government of the day announced the banning of incandescent bulbs altogether, saving an estimated 800,000 tonnes in greenhouse gases. And the current government has brought forward that ban to next year.

The validity of carbon offset programmes hinge on a). funding carbon reduction programs that would not have otherwise been viable, without the financial support provided the people paying the offsets and b). having reliable and measurable C02 emission reductions.

That second caveat is why we've shied away from tree-planting schemes, and the first is why we have moved on from the energy efficiency option (i.e., with the government forcing the light bulb change through, our carbon offset dollars will over time have less impact here.)

So, for 2008, the Highland Fling channelled its carbon offset dosh, and your travel offsets, to a 'Landfill Diversion Programme.' Yeah, we know. It doesn't actually sound all that radically exciting, does it? Oh, but it is.

Rotting garbage generate the gas, methane, which is 21 times more potent in contributing to global warming than even carbon dioxide. It’s official: Farting is is on the nose in more ways than one! We are helping fund a facility in the south of Perth, Western Australia. It takes the garbage from over 350,000 residents and extracts out the portion than can be composted. No only does this reduce methane emissions, it locks away the carbon content in new natural soil fertiliser, thus reducing extraction demand for phosphorous and nitrogen for commercial fertiliser. The [Perth] South Metropolitan Regional Council would not be able to operate their landfill diversion facility without the revenue they derive from the sale of such carbon credits.

In 2008, we offset 75 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, even though our exhaustive calculations only came to 53 tonnes. We want to make sure we’d covered everything. Our offset partner is The Carbon Reduction Institute.

3. Encourage our event participants to make similar commitments.
Each year, you’ll find a check box on your Highland Fling entry form, that provides for you to offset your travel to and from the event. In 2008, 158 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions were offset by competitor travel. (Even some of the local catering staff and Dark Side volunteers individually offset their travel. Participant travel to the event causes more greenhouse gas emissions than the running of the event itself, so is quite a significant chunk. However, fortunately the costs involved in offsetting one-off travel is not odious. For most people a latte would cost them more - participants driving less than three hours $2, greater than three hours $4, and fly/drive combo $9. But collectively it certainly does make a difference, for the carbon emissions saved are very real.

FAQ’s

Why not just increase the entry fee?

Wild Horizons believes we should individually take responsibility for our own actions, including our contribution to the state of the planet. Cycling is the most energy efficient means of transport ever devised (after putting one foot in front of the other!). But flying and driving (to go biking) are not. Choosing to drive and fly less are the two of the most significant personal actions you can to reduce global warming. Making the decision to offset your emissions when you do drive or fly to the Fling is one way of also helping.

 

Why Not Tree Planting?

Tree planting is known as a carbon dioxide (CO2) capture programme, because trees remove the CO2 from the air locking it away as they use it for their growth. However we feel these are largely long term and still unproven endeavours. And we need to act now to save energy and emissions.

Not that we think that planting trees is bad. On the contrary, it is brilliant for assisting with animal habitat, biodiversity conservation, soil erosion control, salinity reduction, and much more.

 

Why not give the money to wind or solar farms?

Some offset programmes help renewable energy projects like wind farms sell their power at parity with the likes of coal fired power stations. In most instances such projects, although very worthy, are based overseas and Wild Horizons wanted to ensure support for local initiatives.

 

How does the Offset Company make money?

Although 100% of your contribution is used for a greenhouse reduction project, such projects are audited and certified. This year it is via the federal government’s Greenhouse Friendly programme. The Carbon Reduction Institute buys carbon reduction credits at a bulk trade price and sells them with a retail margin to cover their overheads, like any other business.

 

What else can I do?

Of course the danger with offsetting is that you can then get lazy: ‘Well it doesn’t matter if I use my car or don’t ask my mates to share transport with me cos I’ve offset the fuel used’. What is even better is that you try and minimize your emissions (we appreciate energy foods during races can make this difficult!!) so why not do a few things from the list below:

Purchase GreenPower for your house and / or business. See http://www.greenelectricitywatch.org.au for details on which Green Power products are ranked best.

  • Install a gas boosted solar hot water system at home
  • Rent the movie An Inconvenient Truth for more detail on the issues
  • Carpool or travel to your next ride or event by train
  • Take roof racks off when not in use for a period of time
  • Make sure your car tyres are always properly inflated.
  • Ride don't drive!

Some further information