Scilly Travel

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If you are planning to travel to the Isles of Scilly then you are very lucky.

The Islands are a special place, with high natural and environmental values, where you can enjoy rare peace and tranquillity. And this is why you should think very carefully about how you travel.

Your choice will affect both the local environment and the climate emergency. No-one wants to actively harm the place they are visiting, let alone make their holiday part of the climate crisis.

Fortunately, when you travel to the Isles of Scilly from the mainland you have a choice…

Helicopter

AVOID

The helicopter is by far the option most damaging to the climate. It’s the noisiest option and TEN times more polluting than the ferry.

Plane

THINK

Think twice before choosing this option. It’s less harmful to the climate than the helicopter but over FIVE times more polluting than the ferry.

Ferry

GO

Travel with a clear conscience… this is the most environmentally-friendly travel option with the smallest impact on the climate.

The climate impact of different ways of travelling depends on how much fossil fuel is used. The more fuel burnt, the more CO2 emissions, the greater the climate heating effect. Different transport options also have different prospects for reaching zero CO2 emissions, something which has to happen urgently, and well before 2050, to avoid catastrophic global heating.

Helicopter

An individual travelling to the Isles of Scilly from Penzance by helicopter is responsible for a massive

60kgs of CO2

And high fuel burn makes the prospects for future zero CO2 emission helicopters very poor.

Plane

An individual travelling to the Isles of Scilly from St Just by plane is responsible for

35kgs of CO2

The need for fuels with a high energy density means the prospects for zero CO2 emission aviation are poor. Biofuels are one option but it is doubtful that they can be sustainably produced in sufficient volumes.

Ferry

An individual travelling to the Isles of Scilly from Penzance by ferry is responsible for just

6kgs of CO2

With a number of sustainable options available – including wind-assist, battery-electric and alternative fuels – the prospects for zero CO2 emission shipping are good.

West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are renowned for the peace and tranquillity they provide visitors and residents alike. But in addition to disturbing that peace, noise pollution can have a serious impact on people’s health.

Helicopter

There will be serious noise pollution on the Islands, in Penzance and under the flightpath. Thousands of people living near Penzance Heliport and under the flightpath will be severely affected. On the Isles of Scilly the up to 17 flights/day will pose similar risks to residents there and will seriously spoil the peace and tranquillity of the Islands.

Plane

There is also significant noise pollution associated with this option, but it is not as noisy as the helicopter and the flightpath is mostly over the sea.

Ferry

There are no noise pollution issues associated with the ferry. Noise is low level and confined to harbour areas.

Choose your travel carefully and you can have a lovely holiday, do your bit to tackle the climate crisis and help preserve the peace and tranquillity of a special place.

If you love the Isles of Scilly, show it!