In its efforts to support the work of the RPS Climate Change Working Group, the Landscape Group has adopted a range of measures aimed at making the group's activities carbon neutral and minimising its other environmental impacts. These measures are being introduced over time, some with immediate effect and others as circumstances allow.
As landscape photographers, most of us enjoy travelling to locations that we find inspiring, and many of our events take place in remote areas not well served by public transport. We are conscious that our events programme is likely to be a significant contributor to the RPS' overall carbon footprint. Reducing this footprint therefore focuses heavily, but not exclusively, on events: where possible we aim to reduce travel by car to attend our events and, where this is not possible, to mitigate remaining travel through carbon offsetting.
Mark Reeves ARPS
Carbon offsetting
We acknowledge that carbon offsetting is second best to avoiding emissions in the first place, but we believe it can make a valuable contribution to making the Landscape Group's activities carbon neutral. To do this we have chosen a certified UK-based offsetting organisation, Forest Carbon, which operates by planting woodlands that genuinely would not otherwise have been planted.
Members who wish to offset their own travel and other emissions can do so through Forest Carbon's carbon offsetting options.
Mark Reeves ARPS
Our initiatives include
Developing a range of workshops that encourage photographic projects close to home or with minimal travel.
Wherever relevant and feasible, event location information will include details of how to arrive by public transport as well as by car.
Workshop and field-trip leaders will be asked to offer pickups from the nearest rail station or bus stop where feasible.
When participants request pickup from an airport, the group will make a charge equivalent to the offsetting cost of the participant's flights. This charge is waived if the participant can demonstrate that their flight emissions have already been offset.
When hiring vehicles, priority will be given to electric or hybrid vehicles rather than the cheapest available.
Event booking pages will include a facility for participants to indicate that they are willing and able to car share with others travelling from a similar location.
Adding a non-optional offset charge to all event ticket prices.
Conferences and seminars will be arranged in locations with easy access, ideally within walking distance of a rail station.
Selecting significant supplies and suppliers, such as catering and accommodation providers, at least in part on sustainability criteria.
The offset charge has been calculated following an analysis of actual miles travelled by event participants, and is reviewed periodically.
Become a Member
A friendly community advancing the art of landscape photography. New members are always welcome.
Join the RPS Landscape Group →Explore the Group