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

We’ve reached a number of milestones in recent years, along with recognition and awards for our efforts, such as the Bronze Ethical Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award in the Beautiful South Awards, a Silver Green Tourism Award and more recently a PETA Travel Award for vegan food.

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 recycled or used to produce electricity.

33% reduction in CO2

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

Local, eco-friendly cafes

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

Even our website is clean

Thanks to the sustainable tools we use to run our website, it’s 61% cleaner than other sites*.

(*Last calculated on 13/2/24)

Investing in Biodiversity

We have developed several initiatives to protect habitats and encourage biodiversity around our ports.

Local Community

We give young sporting stars, arts, schools, organisations and charities help in our Wightlink In The Community scheme.

Wightlink in the Community

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

Environmental accreditations and awards

Maritime UK Solent awards - Net Zero Navigator 2024

PETA Travel Awards - Best Ferry Operator for Vegan Food 2024

The Green Parent Family Travel Awards - Highly Commended Travel Brand 2024

Green Apple Environment Award - for our Habitat and Biodiversity Green Solent Project 2022

Southern Sustainability Partnership Big Sustainability Awards

Communicating Sustainability Award - Big Sustainability Awards 2022

Silver Award - Green Tourism UK

Portsmouth News Business Excellence - Sustainable Business Award 2022

Maritime UK Awards - Clean Maritime Operator nomination (2022 and 2020)

Partnerships

Re-introducing native shellfish to the Solent

We partner with the Blue Marine Foundation to host cages containing hundreds of young oysters in the Lymington River as part of our initiative to re-introduce the native shellfish to the Solent.

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.

Working with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

We’ve are a corporate partner of HIWWT to help their reserves team travel across the Solent and to rewild the Isle of Wight’s incredible natural environment. We’re encouraging visitors to connect with nature, too.

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

the environment

Green Solent Project

On this page

The story so far

Victoria of Wight

Environmental accreditations and awards

Partnerships

Re-introducing native shellfish to the Solent

Encouraging the growth of seagrass

Working with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

Future vision

Friends of the Solent

Nigel George, Artecology

Emily Stroud, Wildlife Trust

'Womble' Wendy Marshall