In the Algarve

During 2008 we will be working towards making Casa Norinha as environmentally friendly as possible, following the EU Eco-label for Tourist Accommodation guidelines. The villa already has solar panels to heat the water and later this year we will introduce waste separation, ecological cleaning products, environmental information for our guests and hopefully an ioniser for the pool so that we can reduce the use of chlorine.

Casa Norinha is situated amongst traditionally farmed fruit groves and goat grazing land. We have eight acres of good land with its own water supply from the well. Previous crops of oranges, lemons, figs and vines have been very successful. We welcome enquiries from organic farmers or smallholders interested in renting the land. The rental rates will be nominal - we just want to see it put to good use.

In the UK

We manage the bookings from our home at Broadward Hall Cottage, which is situated on an organic farm in Herefordshire. At the cottage our electricity comes from 100% renewable sources, supplied by Good Energy. We have several energy saving measures including extensive insulation, Hippos in our cisterns, energy saving bulbs and plenty of blankets and jumpers... We buy local, fair trade, organic or second hand products wherever we can.

In managing Casa Norinha, we work via email as much as possible and, if paper is unavoidable, we use scrap or recycled. This website is hosted by Ecological Hosting - a small, friendly UK company - via a 100% solar powered server in California.

Carbon Offsetting

Carbon Offsetting is the process by which you can offset the CO2 released into the atmosphere by purchasing Carbon Credits. So, for example, you could calculate the CO2 produced by a flight to Portugal and pay a small amount to help fund a project that reduces the CO2 in the atmosphere. The aim of the scheme is to ultimately neutralise or reduce CO2 levels.

There are many companies offering Carbon Credits to consumers but, at the moment, the industry is unregulated so it is not always easy to know which is the best one to choose. Rather than recommend a specific company, we suggest reading this joint statement by Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund. The statement gives a guide to Carbon Offsetting and the Gold Standard - an independent, transparent, internationally recognised benchmark for high quality carbon offset projects. Purchasing carbon credits from a Gold Standard company guarantees that the offset will genuinely make a difference.

We encourage our guests to offset their flights to and from the Algarve - it really doesn't cost very much! We will do our part by calculating the carbon footprint of Casa Norinha and offsetting it each year.