2007 update

Environmental Statement

UPDATE: Autumn 2007
The South Hams Motor Club is proud to have promoted motorsport in the Westcountry for over 40 years. Looking towards a sustainable future the club is commencing a programme of environmental awareness in its sporting events and club administration. Increasingly aware of climate change and the pressures of carbon emissions on the environment, the start of our new policy commenced with the 2007 Audi South West Endurance Rally where all entries were asked to make a donation towards offsetting carbon emissions.

…..So, do you remember – a year ago SHMC decided to implement an environmental policy which commenced with the Audi South West Endurance Rally. £5 from every entry was put aside for a tree planting programme to not only offset carbon emissions but to improve the local landscape and biodiversity. We raised £315 from this initiative.

One exciting development from that commitment is that the Yorkshire Motor Club were so impressed that they have also implemented the same promise. Peter Settle is one of the Clerks of Course and initiated a similar tree planting scheme using their local Millennium Trust. Speaking to Peter, he told me about their Fuel Economy Run which is something we may also be able to organize. Hopefully we will be able to keep in contact with the club and exchange some ideas of a similar nature.

Well, we are coming up to the tree planting season and one of the first considerations is to make sure that the land is suitable for planting (that is does not have alternative wildlife/scenic value etc) and secondly that the trees to be planted are appropriate to the locality.

We have consulted the Tree Planting Guide issued by the South Devon AONB Unit. Birch, alder, wild cherry, field maple, pedunculate oak are just some of the tree species we are going to use as well as some shrub species such as guelder rose, blackthorn, spindle etc. Planting trees is a start but we must also take other positive action in our club, our lives and our driving – despite what Jeremy Clarkson says !!

Five pounds has once again been included in the entry fee this year and will go towards the cost of our tree planting programme taking place in the South Hams.

This is the first step towards “greening” the sport and we anticipate a good reception by our members and the event competitors. In the future, we will be investigating and implementing energy reducing and recycling practices in addition to increasing the awareness of issues such as bio-fuels, fuel efficiency, research and technology in line with the UK Climate Change Programme.

Kate Yeo BSc. Hons.

(Land and Environmental Management)
SHMC Environmental Adviser

September 2007

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\| Home Page \|	Environmental Statement UPDATE: Autumn 2007 The South Hams Motor Club is proud to have promoted motorsport in the Westcountry for over 40 years. Looking towards a sustainable future the club is commencing a programme of environmental awareness in its sporting events and club administration. Increasingly aware of climate change and the pressures of carbon emissions on the environment, the start of our new policy commenced with the 2007 Audi South West Endurance Rally where all entries were asked to make a donation towards offsetting carbon emissions. …..So, do you remember – a year ago SHMC decided to implement an environmental policy which commenced with the Audi South West Endurance Rally. £5 from every entry was put aside for a tree planting programme to not only offset carbon emissions but to improve the local landscape and biodiversity. We raised £315 from this initiative. One exciting development from that commitment is that the Yorkshire Motor Club were so impressed that they have also implemented the same promise. Peter Settle is one of the Clerks of Course and initiated a similar tree planting scheme using their local Millennium Trust. Speaking to Peter, he told me about their Fuel Economy Run which is something we may also be able to organize. Hopefully we will be able to keep in contact with the club and exchange some ideas of a similar nature. Well, we are coming up to the tree planting season and one of the first considerations is to make sure that the land is suitable for planting (that is does not have alternative wildlife/scenic value etc) and secondly that the trees to be planted are appropriate to the locality. We have consulted the Tree Planting Guide issued by the South Devon AONB Unit. Birch, alder, wild cherry, field maple, pedunculate oak are just some of the tree species we are going to use as well as some shrub species such as guelder rose, blackthorn, spindle etc. Planting trees is a start but we must also take other positive action in our club, our lives and our driving – despite what Jeremy Clarkson says !! Five pounds has once again been included in the entry fee this year and will go towards the cost of our tree planting programme taking place in the South Hams. This is the first step towards “greening” the sport and we anticipate a good reception by our members and the event competitors. In the future, we will be investigating and implementing energy reducing and recycling practices in addition to increasing the awareness of issues such as bio-fuels, fuel efficiency, research and technology in line with the UK Climate Change Programme. Kate Yeo BSc. Hons. (Land and Environmental Management) SHMC Environmental Adviser September 2007 \| Back to top \|