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A NATIONAL conference that took place in Guernsey this week will make a lasting contribution to the island.

More than 200 representatives of the UK’s leading energy companies were in the island this week for the Electricity Industry Safety, Health and Environment management conference.

And before leaving the island, one of the final tasks for the organisers was to finish planting more than 300 trees which will make the conference carbon neutral.

It is estimated that the combination of delegates’ travel to and from Guernsey plus the powering of the conference itself will result in around 35 tonnes of carbon emissions. However the Guernsey Society of the Men of the Trees have calculated that in the next 25 years the new trees will have absorbed more than three times this amount.

A number of different species have been planted, all of them common to the island. They include hawthorn, sweet chestnut, English oak, ash, birch and alder.

Rich Austin of the Men of the Trees said that although they could have been planted anywhere in the world and still offset the event’s carbon footprint, having them in Guernsey will provide a lasting benefit for the island.

‘The island lost so many trees through Dutch elm disease it is still really important that we keep putting some back,’ he said.

‘It is not just the contribution they make to the environment. Trees also provide physical shade they provide, and with the forecast of longer, hotter summers this is going to be increasingly important, both for us and for other animals. And they are also provide a natural habitat for birds, insects and other wildlife.

The conference was hosted by Guernsey Electricity, and managing director Ian Watson said he was delighted by the initiative to make the event carbon neutral.

‘Throughout our operations we are continually looking at ways in which we can reduce the impact of our activities, both here and in the wider context, and this is a great demonstration of this commitment,’ he said.

‘I think bringing the conference to Guernsey has been a real boost, in terms of the opportunity to really showcase the island. The fact that the event is also leaving its mark in such a positive way is doubly pleasing.’