The Isles of Scilly is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), recognizing the exceptional landscape we have on Scilly as that of distinctive character and natural beauty and is precious enough to be protected and enhanced in the national interest for nature, people, business and culture. As such, we the WPGC Committee want to ensure we protect our AONB for generations to come.
The WPGC Committee is committed to ensuring that hosting this event does not have a negative impact on the islands socially, economically, and environmentally through the following ways:
TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT
Land and Marine Haulage
The transportation of Cornish pilot gigs from gig clubs across the UK and abroad, to Penzance and then onward shipping to St Marys will result in the emissions of carbon into the atmosphere. There are currently limited alternative low carbon options available to mitigate these emissions at this current time, however the new Isles of Scilly Steamship freight vessel due to be operational in the coming years will assist in reducing these emissions moving forward.
Travel to the Event
Participant travel to the event is limited to just a few transport options, however the new Isles of Scilly Steamship Company passenger vessel will assist in reducing these carbon emissions in the future.
Travel at the Event
The WPGC committee encourages all participants, spectators, visitors and residents to travel to the event sustainably, either on foot, by bicycle, or by electric vehicle or buggy. There will be road closures in place along the Strand to promote sustainable travel and ensure safe pedestrian zones.
RESOURCE USE
Plastics
We actively discourage the use of single use plastics, and request participants and spectators bring their own reusable cups and water bottles with them for the weekend. We will not be using plastic containers or cutlery in the Tunnel, opting instead for low carbon alternatives such as paper plates and wooden cutlery. We will not be selling water in plastic bottles, and providing two water refill stations instead.
Paper
We will be going digital where we can, ensuring the results will be recorded electronically and posted via social media and to the people managing the scoreboards located on Holgates Green. Paper will only be used in limited circumstances where a signature is necessary.
Water
The Isles of Scilly are water scarce, this means we do not have sufficient fresh water all year round to sustain our way of life and have to rely on the desalination process to ensure we have enough fresh water for our farming, agriculture and domestic water supplies. As such, we ask our participants and spectators not to waste this precious resource whilst they are visiting us by taking shorter showers and turning off the taps when not using them.
WASTE AND RECYCLING
Recycling Facilities
We recognize an event of this size will produce a significant amount of waste. We will encourage our participants and spectators to reduce, reuse and then recycle where possible to reduce the volume of waste generated over the weekend. Recycling bins will be placed around the Tunnel on Holgates Green. They will be clearly marked with appropriate signage to encourage correct use. A steward will be monitoring the bins to ensure that they are emptied as necessary and encourage correct segregation to avoid contamination.
Leave only footprints
We are a small committee of volunteers and rely heavily on the support of our local community to undertake a voluntary beach clean after the event to make sure we have left no trace on our beaches. We ask that participants and spectators help us to achieve this by using the waste and recycling facilities available and by leaving only footprints on our beautiful beaches.
The WPGC Committee is committed to ensuring that hosting this event does not have a negative impact on the islands socially, economically, and environmentally through the following ways:
TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT
Land and Marine Haulage
The transportation of Cornish pilot gigs from gig clubs across the UK and abroad, to Penzance and then onward shipping to St Marys will result in the emissions of carbon into the atmosphere. There are currently limited alternative low carbon options available to mitigate these emissions at this current time, however the new Isles of Scilly Steamship freight vessel due to be operational in the coming years will assist in reducing these emissions moving forward.
Travel to the Event
Participant travel to the event is limited to just a few transport options, however the new Isles of Scilly Steamship Company passenger vessel will assist in reducing these carbon emissions in the future.
Travel at the Event
The WPGC committee encourages all participants, spectators, visitors and residents to travel to the event sustainably, either on foot, by bicycle, or by electric vehicle or buggy. There will be road closures in place along the Strand to promote sustainable travel and ensure safe pedestrian zones.
RESOURCE USE
Plastics
We actively discourage the use of single use plastics, and request participants and spectators bring their own reusable cups and water bottles with them for the weekend. We will not be using plastic containers or cutlery in the Tunnel, opting instead for low carbon alternatives such as paper plates and wooden cutlery. We will not be selling water in plastic bottles, and providing two water refill stations instead.
Paper
We will be going digital where we can, ensuring the results will be recorded electronically and posted via social media and to the people managing the scoreboards located on Holgates Green. Paper will only be used in limited circumstances where a signature is necessary.
Water
The Isles of Scilly are water scarce, this means we do not have sufficient fresh water all year round to sustain our way of life and have to rely on the desalination process to ensure we have enough fresh water for our farming, agriculture and domestic water supplies. As such, we ask our participants and spectators not to waste this precious resource whilst they are visiting us by taking shorter showers and turning off the taps when not using them.
WASTE AND RECYCLING
Recycling Facilities
We recognize an event of this size will produce a significant amount of waste. We will encourage our participants and spectators to reduce, reuse and then recycle where possible to reduce the volume of waste generated over the weekend. Recycling bins will be placed around the Tunnel on Holgates Green. They will be clearly marked with appropriate signage to encourage correct use. A steward will be monitoring the bins to ensure that they are emptied as necessary and encourage correct segregation to avoid contamination.
Leave only footprints
We are a small committee of volunteers and rely heavily on the support of our local community to undertake a voluntary beach clean after the event to make sure we have left no trace on our beaches. We ask that participants and spectators help us to achieve this by using the waste and recycling facilities available and by leaving only footprints on our beautiful beaches.