Carbon Offset Program

Our Carbon Offset Program - Optin&Offset

Opt in and Offset

With an ongoing commitment to responsible tourism and AITO 3 star status, we have committed to working with Tourism Industry Carbon Offset Service (TICOS) offering you the chance to help offset some of the damage these emissions will cause.

Community Tree Planting

10,000 trees have been planted in the first year since launching the scheme in Abuko and Siffoe, with a further 10,000 due to be planted in the coming year. Each tree will offset the equivalent of 0.5 tonnes of CO2 over a 20-year period.

Not only will this have a positive effect on the environment but it will also produce crops such as food, fruit and medicines for local people.

Introduction of Solar Power

By introducing new technology, carbon emissions will be reduced by using natural energies and the scheme is aiming for a 70% decrease in water heating costs. In addition, this new system will create meaningful jobs for Gambians and some of the savings made in energy bills will be redirected to fund the installation of solar power in schools to drive computers.

Fuel-Efficient Cooking Stoves

We are working with a charity called Blue Ventures to introduce a new programme of fuel-efficient cooking stoves into a number of village communities. This will reduce by two thirds the amount of wood or charcoal needed.

MAKASUTU AND THE EDEN PROJECT

The Gambia Experience has developed a close working relationship with the Eden Project, an Educational Charity in Cornwall, which is actively involved in a new project at Makasutu, The Ballabu Conservation Project. The aim is to create an 85sq kilometre conservation area, incorporating 14 Gambian villages that will alleviate poverty for local people by becoming self-sustaining. The Eden Project will offer guidance on conservation, reforestation and social enterprise. In addition, inspired by their travels to The Gambia, the Eden Project is dedicating an exhibit to Africa's 'smiling coast' in their Rainforest Biome. Don Murray, curator of the Tropical Biome, comments: "There is nothing more positive than seeing the Ballabu initiative coming together and visualising the positive effects it could have on the Gambian villages - it gives me real hope."

Tree Planting Update

We are proud to announce that 10,000 new trees were planted in August in three community sites in the south of The Gambia as part of our Opt in & Offset carbon offset scheme.

Not only does this project help offset carbon emissions but also produces community benefits in terms of food, fruit and medicine from the trees used. Many of the trees are specially planted to produce pollen to encourage bees. The honey is used for food, health, medicine and beauty products offering an income from its sales.

A tree planting festival was organised by Sifo Kafo Farm, one of the three sites, to mark the occasion with Mandinka drumming and dancing. We planted 3,000 gmalina, cashew and other trees in two farms belonging to the Sifo Kafo Farms. The Iman blessed the trees and all the village elders gave their full support. The whole village community attended and took part in a symbolic planting ceremony and there was a sense of pride and determination to see these trees grow to maturity.

All trees are protected for at least 20 years through a management agreement signed by the village Alkalo (village head) on behalf of each community. TICOS has provided an experienced forester to help with maintenance and the replacement of any trees damaged or lost and long-term management is exercised by the Travel Foundation's national advisor.

Over the next 20 years of the management agreement, the carbon offset will be equivalent to 5,000 tonnes which equates to the CO2 created by 5,000 return flights from the UK to The Gambia.

The photographs above show a planting ceremony in Sifo attended by us, TICOS and the Travel Foundation and supported by the whole village. The village elders all planted a tree and TICOS also contributed to the event by planting 50 trees to help to offset recent staff flights.

Offsetting Is Simple

All donations made will be invested in our two projects which both generate CO2 savings to balance out your flights' emissions.

Whilst we openly encourage our clients to offset their carbon emissions through buying into our scheme we must also stress that changing day to day habits can also have a positive effect on the environment with very little effort i.e. replacing traditional light bulbs with low energy options, turning appliances off at the mains instead of leaving them on standby.

Here at The Gambia Experience we commit to offsetting all of our staff air travel and encourage staff to switch off their computers, screens and printers every night as well as turning off any unnecessary lighting during the day.

How it works?

An amount of £5 per person will appear on your holiday confirmation which represents the cost of helping to carbon offset your flight. Whether you choose to pay this is entirely up to you. If you choose not to simply deduct this amount from your invoice or untick the box if booking through our website.

Climate change is a worldwide problem and whilst we cannot solve it, we can all pull together and make a difference.

Follow the progress of your contribution

We will regularly update this page with progress of our two projects in The Gambia. You can also go to www.ticos.co.uk to see how your contribution has made a difference.