Spain's PortAventura World today claimed that it is the world's first themed resort to become carbon-neutral.
In 2019, the resort — which includes the Port Aventura and Ferrari Land theme parks — opened the carbon-neutral Colorado Creek hotel, establishing a template for the remainder of the resort. In the same year, PortAventura World saw 100 percent of the electricity consumed at the resort coming "exclusively from renewable energy sources without CO2 emissions," the resort said in its press release.
For other carbon-producing activities at the resort, PortAventura is now offsetting them by supporting an environmental project in Central America.
"The economic equivalent of the carbon credits will go to protect and conserve one of the most important migration corridors on our planet. Located on the coast of Guatemala, and with an area of 54,000 hectares, the project is based in the forest area of the corridor, a natural habitat for 10 percent of known bird species in the world," the resort said.
And next year, the resort will reduce its dependence upon outside power by bringing online what it calls "the largest self-consumption photovoltaic plant in a resort in Europe," a 7.5 MWp solar power plant that will generate one third of the electricity consumed in the resort. PortAventura World also said that it is phasing out single-use plastic at the resort with a goal of complete elimination in 2022.
"The carbon-neutral resort project is integrated into the global corporate responsibility strategy that guides the company's decision-making to continue being a benchmark in sustainable tourism," PortAventura World Director of Corporate Responsibility Choni Fernández said.
As for why this might be important, allow me to note that Busch Gardens Tampa was closed today due to Tropical Storm Eta coming ashore in Florida. It's the middle of November, and Florida is still dealing with tropical storms — this time one named after the seventh letter in the Greek alphabet because the National Hurricane Center ran out of storm names this season. Yeah, maybe human-driven climate change is a thing.
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Does no one else find it ironic that a park themed around sports cars is the first to go carbon neutral?
/\ Haha yes, at Port Aventura a couple years ago I took a picture of the paper they have on their food trays that says they are committed to eliminating carbon emissions and I held it up next to one of the Ferrari's on display. I'm sure at some point all new cars will be emissions free but still funny for the moment.
it looks like at best, next year the theme park will operate on 1/3 renewable energy sources. Then, 2/3's are purchased 'carbon credits'. ?? I'd love to follow the money in that sweetheart deal! Just like the old days when all of the 'experts' warned us of Global Cooling'. This article looks way premature.
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This is great news. Hopefully other high profile attractions follow suit.