Wightlink highlights its green credentials at the Isle of Wight’s first Environmental Conference

Wightlink Chief Executive Keith Greenfield has spoken about the ferry company’s green initiatives at the inaugural Isle of Wight Environmental Conference at Cowes Yacht Haven.

The event, organised by the Isle of Wight Council, brought together 170 people to discuss how the Island can secure a low carbon, resource efficient and environmentally sensitive future. Council leader Councillor Dave Stewart set the scene with the keynote address.

Wightlink senior managers joined Keith to learn more about sustainable tourism and technologies from speakers including Professor of Sustainable Energy AbuBakr Bahaj from the University of Southampton. Wightlink’s newly appointed Environmental Officer Nicola Craig was also at the Conference.

Keith says: “Wightlink is already introducing wooden cutlery instead of plastic and electric vehicle charging points and we are working with groups such as the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to protect the marine environment.”

“Our Wight Taste range of Island produced and sourced food and drink is rightly popular on board our ships and in our terminals. Food miles are low – milk from Briddlesford Farm travels just two miles from the dairy to our terminal at Fishbourne.”

“And, of course, our new environmentally friendly flagship Victoria of Wight – the first hybrid energy ferry in England – will join us this summer. Quieter and with lower emissions, her arrival on the Portsmouth-Fishbourne route will herald a new era in cross-Solent transport.”

For more information, contact Karen Woods on 07775 694266 or [email protected]