Spotlight on Climate Action

Adv-Eco&Climate-LogoOperating within the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the Quicksilver Group is committed to environmentally sustainable marine tourism and maintaining the health of the Great Barrier Reef.

We are acutely aware that we are all responsible for Climate Action and the need to be pro-active. This philosophy is core to our operational and environmental practices.

Here’s a brief overview of some of our current initiatives to address Climate Change.

Auditing and reducing Greenhouse emissions

    • Quicksilver was one of the first companies to be certified by Ecotourism Australia’s Climate Action Program and has been certified as a “Climate Action Innovator” since 2008. What this means is that Quicksilver has proactively undertaken adaptations and emissions reduction, and is auditing and measuring our carbon footprint.
    • We’ve invested in renewable and greener energy where possible. Solar energy powers our Port Douglas catering and workshop facilities, Quicksilver Dive training centre, retail and office facilities, and the weather station at our Agincourt 3 platform.
    • Our new Quicksilver coaches, progressively rolled out since 2016, are among the cleanest and most fuel efficient available. By European Emission Standards, they are (EEV) enhanced environmentally friendly vehicles and exceed current standards in Australia.
    • Quicksilver's wavepiercing catamarans are powered by next generation engines with clean fuel certification and when commercially available in Australia, will be ready for HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) and other synthetic fuels. Our vessels are operated as efficiently as possible and undergo annual refits. This not only means that they are in the best confition for our customers, but also in peak mechanical condition for efficient operations and reduced emissions.

Research; understanding climate change and impacts

Quicksilver continues to be involved in collaborative innovative research projects, such as coral nurturing and restoration projects using different methods. The knowledge gained from these projects and the type of techniques suited to different areas will aid scientific understanding and the long term management of not only the Great Barrier Reed, but reefs world-wide.

Raising awareness – How can we all help?

Greenhouse gas emissions are produced from using electricity, from the fuel in our cars and from using products that require fuel and electricity. Increased concentrations of greenhouse gas emissions are responsible for climate change.

Here’s some tips from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority about how we can all help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and our “carbon footprint”:

      • Switch to ‘green’ electricity produced from renewable sources by contacting your energy provider.
      • Use energy efficient lights.
      • Choose energy efficient products.
      • Turn off electrical devices such as televisions when not in use.
      • Turn off lights around the house.
      • Refuse, reduce, re-use and recycle.
      • Use less hot water.
      • Dry your clothes the natural way, not in the dryer.
      • Plant trees which take up carbon dioxide as they grow.
      • Heat and cool your house efficiently.
      • Drive less: car pool, use public transport, walk or cycle.
      • Spread the word to others.
      • Offset or neutralise your greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information on Climate Change and what you can do to help look after the health of the Great Barrier Reef, you can talk to one of our Marine Biologists onboard our reef cruises, or visit the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s website at www.gbrmpa.gov.au

We hope that by travelling with Quicksilver, our guests will become ambassadors for future conservation of the reef.