The Co-operative Group has a long history of successful community work, and The Co-operative Travel is becoming more actively involved in community projects. Last year, the Group committed a further £1million to fund the installation of free photovoltaic (PV) solar panels in 150 schools, and to trial wind turbines, biomass boilers and ground source heat pumps. 18 of the schools receiving PV systems were nominated by their local Travel staff.

This year we are working to develop childrens’ knowledge of sustainable travel through a unique education programme. The Greener Travel Award scheme teaches children about responsible tourism and provides an insight into how a travel agency operates. As part of the scheme, travel branch managers visit schools and Year 5 children will produce a scrapbook of their holiday and the actions their family took to make it sustainable. The pilot launched in July 2009 and ends in October 2009. If it is successful the scheme will be rolled out nationally in 2010.