The CO₂ compensation fund of Wagenborg Passenger Services is again open for new applications. Islanders can submit proposals between December 13, 2021 and January 16, 2022 for projects that can be financed from the fund. The village interests form an assessment committee.
Traveling is associated with CO₂ emissions. This also applies to traveling with the ferry service, as long as the ships still run on fossil fuel. To compensate for the CO₂ emissions of traveling with the ferry service, Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten created a compensation fund in 2019. Passengers on the ferry services to Schiermonnikoog and Ameland have the choice to pay a voluntary surcharge to help offset the emissions of their crossing. Wagenborg guarantees a budget of 30,000 euros per year.
Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten, the municipality of Schiermonnikoog and the municipality of Ameland have recorded their mutual agreements about the compensation fund in an agreement. It has been agreed that Wagenborg will take care of the collection of the allowances. Islanders can submit projects that are eligible for financing from the fund. The municipalities are responsible for the administration of the submitted proposals. An independent committee consisting of board members from the village interests on both islands assesses once a year which projects are eligible for a contribution.
Proposals for a contribution from the CO₂ compensation fund can be submitted between December 13, 2021 and January 16, 2022 via duur@schiermonnikoog.nl or via duurameland@ameland.nl. A form is available for this. The assessment committee looks at, among other things, the CO₂ reduction, the costs, the degree of innovation, the duration, support among the population, the visibility of the project, the feasibility and the risks. The assessment will take place in the first quarter of 2022. The awards will be announced to applicants as soon as possible. The amount that the committee awards to an application may differ from the amount requested.
More information about the CO₂ compensation fund on the website of Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten and on the websites of the municipalities Schiermonnikoog and Ameland.