Ryanair, Europe’s No 1 airline, today (22 Oct) donated €250,000 to Renature Monchique in Portugal as part of its Carbon Offset Initiative funded by customers. This money will pay for the planting of thousands of trees in the Monchique area of the Algarve, which was destroyed by wildfires in 2018. Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary presented the €250,000 cheque to Renature Monchique and a group of Portuguese tourism and forestry partners, demonstrating Ryanair’s commitment to both the Algarve region and the environment.

Ryanair is Europe’s greenest airline, operating the youngest fleet with the highest load factors, and the most efficient fuel burn per passenger. Ryanair delivers industry-leading CO2 emissions per passenger-km of just 66g, which is up to 50% lower than Europe’s other 4 big airlines.

Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary said:

“Ryanair, our people and our customers are proud to support this reforestation initiative in the Monchique region of the Algarve. Thousands of hectares of trees were destroyed by forest fires in 2018. We’re very happy to provide these funds to help restore the region’s forests and the unique natural beauty of the Monchique region.

GEOTA’s President, Marlene Marques said:

“This commitment from the private sector provides the opportunity for civil society to support the restoration of important and unique forest habitats to the fire-devastated areas of Monchique of the Algarve. Renature Monchique will help restore the ‘cultural landscapes’ of this area, an important national and international tourism destination.

We therefore welcome Ryanair’s and its customers’ support for this initiative as we return these vital habitats to this area, not only for the species that flourish in these habitats, but also to return the devastated woodlands, forests and river bank vegetation that make up this culturally important place. In so doing, Ryanair is also supporting the local council to meet their requirements under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, by preventing further land degradation and supporting the climate change mitigation efforts of carbon sequestration by planting trees.”

President of the Algarve Tourism Region, João Fernandes said:

“As the Algarve is a region internationally renowned for the outstanding quality of its beaches and golf courses, a commitment to nature conservation is extremely important for tourism in the area. We are delighted Ryanair’s and its customers’ commitment towards the renaturing of the Monchique Mountain, whose forest habitats were recently devastated by a wildfire. Without the commitment of all involved parties – environmental NGO GEOTA the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests, the Algarve Tourism Board and other local entities, in addition to Ryanair – it would not be possible to promote the ecological restoration of Monchique’s land and forests in harmony with the remaining territory of the Algarve – which is still the main holiday destination in Portugal.”

Rui André, Mayor of the Municipality of Monchique said:

“The Forest, its management and planning as well as the way people relate to their rural and forest territory are undoubtedly the great challenges of our collective future. Climate change that frighteningly makes us look to the future with great apprehension requires real changes in everyone’s daily action, seeking a carbon balance, for which the essential role of our Forest will be fundamental.

The challenge is global, but the necessary relation between policy makers with civil society, allied to corporate social responsibility, scientific knowledge and local populations, make projects like these an invaluable contribution to the necessary change. The recent wildfire is a challenging opportunity for us to draw a new landscape, productive and environmental, but also to enable man to live in harmony and safety, in a more resilient environment that continues to make Monchique a true garden, but above all the “lung” of the Algarve region.”