Tackling the climate crisis – In 2019, Steppes Travel issued a call to arms on carbon emissions through a pioneering land-concession model as a part of Steppes Fund for Change.
At Steppes Travel, we believe wholeheartedly in the positive benefits of responsible travel, but that does not mean we should simply ignore the elephant in the room: carbon emissions from flying.
We took action to mitigate our carbon emissions through a unique land-concession initiative in Brigg. Under the auspices of Woodland Trust, we have begun planting forty acres of forest in an area of the UK with the worst air pollution in the country. These trees will not only grow to sequester carbon, but they will create an environment in which biodiversity will flourish and provide a natural playground for the local people to enjoy.
Using an innovative land-concession model that speeds up the release of land for tree planting, Steppes Travel is working to facilitate and expedite the release of 9,000 acres around Scunthorpe, which can then be supported with tree planting by the Woodland Trust to form an integral part of the Trust’s Northern Forest initiative.
Senior Outreach Adviser at the Woodland Trust Sian Atkinson said:
“The Northern Forest will see 50 million trees planted between Liverpool and Hull over the next 25 years. It’s a big task but we have a big ambition. Our partnership with the Community Forests will connect people with nature creating growth and investment opportunities, reducing climate change and flood risk, improving health and wellbeing, supporting the rural economy and developing innovative funding mechanisms for the future. The model Steppes Travel has embarked on with a supportive landowner is a good example of that, acting as a great catalyst for getting trees in the ground.”
Sian Atkinson, Senior Outreach Adviser at the Woodland Trust
On December 17th 2019, Steppes Travel visited the concession they have purchased from Jackson Farms, just outside Scunthorpe, to lend a hand with planting. In the space of five muddy hours, 1,300 saplings were put into the ground, adding to the 2,000 saplings that were planted by the Woodland Trust’s partners a few days before.
Jarrod Kyte, Steppes Travel’s Product and Sales Director, offered his insight:
“Seeing this flat and seemingly sterile landscape transformed in such a short space of time has made me believe in the huge difference we can all make if we work together with shared vision and commitment.”
Jarrod Kyte, Steppes Travel’s Product and Sales Director
But, all this work is the seed for far greater change. While Steppes Travel is aware of its industry’s impact on the world’s environments, they believe nearly every business in our country can answer the call, plant their own forest, whether big or small, and bring fresh hope to the climate change crisis.
Editor’s Note:
Download Steppes assets for the press release here and our video here.
For Woodland Trust media queries please contact Dee Smith on 01476 581121 or [email protected]
The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK. It has over 500,000 supporters. It wants to see a UK rich in native woods and trees for people and wildlife.
The Trust has three key aims: i) protect ancient woodland which is rare, unique and irreplaceable, ii) restoration of damaged ancient woodland, bringing precious pieces of our natural history back to life, iii) plant native trees and woods with the aim of creating resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,200 sites in its care covering approximately 29,000 hectares. Access to its woods is free so everyone can benefit from woods and trees.
