BMS World Mission will offset the environmental impact of all its air travel through an innovative scheme involving Christian partners and a new fund this year.
Around £9,000 will be designated to offset the 1,276,955 miles of air travel undertaken by BMS personnel for the year 2008/2009.
In 2007/2008, BMS offset all air travel by mission teams, at a cost of £2,600.
Half of the £9,000 dedicated to offsetting air travel will be given to Climate Stewards, a Christian organisation specialising in offsetting carbon in a sustainable, responsible way.
Brendan Bowles, Climate Stewards Director, said: “It is important for organisations like BMS to offset air travel, because BMS’ example gives leadership and hope to others to take action.” He said that the BMS gift this year would enable Climate Stewards to plant 1,200 trees in Ghana, creating seven acres of sustainable forest which will absorb 450 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
The other half of the £9,000 set aside for offsetting will be put into a fund from which BMS personnel around the world will be able to apply for small grants to help alleviate the effects of climate change in their areas. The idea is to provide dedicated funding to provide support and help for those immediately and most drastically affected by climate change – a new and grass roots approach to offsetting environmental impacts alongside more established carbon offsetting schemes.
“BMS has an excellent long-term plan for reducing its CO2 emissions and achieve mission in a sustainable way,” said Brendan Bowles. “Even so, an international service organisation will always need to make some flights, and offsetting can compensate for that impact.”