The story so far
Partnerships
Future vision
Friends of the Solent

Our commitment to

the environment

Green Solent Project

At Wightlink, we care deeply about the impact every one of our sailings, every vehicle boarding our ferries and every day of activity at our ports has on the environment. Climate change is happening and we want to be part of the solution and that’s why we have the Green Solent Project – an initiative to protect the land, air and sea that surrounds us.

We’ve hit a number of milestones in recent years, along with recognition and awards for our efforts, such as our P.E.A award for the travel category back in 2019, our Bronze Award at the Beautiful South Tourism Awards and our more recent nomination in the Maritime UK Awards.

We still have a long way to go, with our pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions within the next decade.

The story so far

99% recycled

99% of our waste is now recycled or used to produce electricity for our facilities.

33% reduction in CO2

We’ve reduced our carbon footprint by 33% since 2007.

Local, eco-friendly retail

We no longer use single-use plastic cutlery and our average distance from local food suppliers is 6 miles.

Victoria of Wight

Victoria of Wight is the greenest ferry to serve the Isle of Wight with her hybrid energy system, which works much like a hybrid energy car, allowing her to run partly on electricity when required.

She is our flagship ferry and the biggest in our fleet, capable of carrying up to 178 cars over two decks and over 1,000 people across her spacious lounges. She entered service in August 2018.

Learn about Victoria of Wight

Partnerships

Re-introducing native shellfish to the Solent

We have partnered with the Blue Marine Foundation to place cages containing hundreds of young oysters into the Lymington River as part of our initiative to re-introduce the native shellfish to the Solent.

Find out more about our involvement

Encouraging the growth of seagrass

We’ve teamed up with scientists and students from the University of Portsmouth in a new environmental project to examine – and ultimately encourage – the growth of seagrass in the Solent off Ryde.

Find out more about our involvement

Jamie Marsh reserves manager for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust beside his work van

Working with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

We’ve teamed up with the HIWWT to help showcase the Isle of Wight and its incredible natural environment. We’re encouraging visitors to connect with nature and supporting the Trust’s reserves team.

Learn more about HIWWT

Future vision

We have a vision of removing 25,000 tonnes of carbon per year by 2030, delivering on our pledge of net zero emissions within the next decade . It’s an ambitious target but something we’re confident we can achieve if funding challenges can be overcome. And here’s how we plan on doing it.

Friends of the Solent

Different people from all walks of life are fortunate enough to work closely with the Island, or call the Isle of Wight their home. Many of them take a proactive approach in protecting and educating others about the local environment around them. Here are some of the many people we look up to.

Discover more inspirational Islanders

Nigel George of Artecology, Isle of Wight

Nigel George, Artecology

Nigel George is co-founder of Artecology. Currently in Sandown Bay, Artecology uses art and science to solve real world problems relating to climate breakdown and biodiversity loss. We worked with Artecology to create Vertipools at our Fishbourne port.

Find out more

Emily Stroud from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust in a forest on the Isle of Wight

Emily Stroud, Wildlife Trust

Community Engagement Officer for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Emily is a keen surfer and climber. As a marine biologist, she works closely with Wightlink on the National Lottery Heritage Funded ‘Secrets of the Solent’ project.

Find out more

'Womble' Wendy Marshall

Wendy has become well-known for her litter-picking, earning herself the nickname ‘Womble Wendy’. Along with partner Don and Pistache the dog, the Ventnor Wombles team are up at the crack of dawn in all weathers to help keep the seafront clean for locals and visitors alike.

Find out more

Green News

Wightlink recognised for environmental achievements and ambitions

Wightlink has reached the finals of two prestigious awards in recognition of its environmental achievements and ambitions.

Read press release

School children on an environmental field trip holding a beaker and testing strips

Wightlink challenges Isle of Wight schools with ideas to benefit the environment

Wightlink has launched a new £10,000 fund to encourage Isle of Wight primary schools to undertake projects that help the environment.

Read press release

Wightlink goes greener

On the eve of the international climate change summit, COP26, Wightlink is pledging to further reduce its carbon emissions significantly over the next decade.

Read press release