Start Initiative
Submitted by Start on 30 May, 2011 - 03:33
"We are not purely optimistic, nor do we underestimate the challenges that lie ahead. We acknowledge that living sustainably will require us all to make real changes to the way we live. But we also believe that these changes can bring immense rewards to us as individuals and nations. And that this is something to be celebrated"
About the People
HRH The Prince of Wales has been a supporter of sustainable practices for many years. From ethical business to fair farming, social justice to rainforest protection, his charities unite under a common banner of decency, balance and respect for one another and our environment. In 2007, HRH launched the annual Eco-Rally at Hampton Court Palce.
In 2009, The Prince of Wales was invited to deliver the annual Dimbleby Lecture. In this address, he explained why it is essential and urgent that the peoples of the world adapt their behaviour to mitigate the effects of climate change.
This message is now a familiar one to us all. But until now, much of the environmental advice has focused on what we shouldn't be doing. While the Start Initiative supports many of the excellent campaigns to cut our emissions - they feel that the emphasis shouldn't only be on stopping, but starting!
About the Organisation
The 2011 Bridgestone Eco-Rally event is in collaboration with Start- a national initiative by The Prince's Charities Foundation to promote and celebrate sustainable living and to show what a more energy efficient, cleaner and healthier future could look like.
Start's objective is to present an inspiring picture of a sustainable future. They will highlight the very best examples of sustainable practice in the UK, showing how we can all make positive changes right now.
About the Venue
On Sunday 31 July 2011, shortly after the ceremonial Queen's Lifeguard and Changing of the Guards, the Eco-Rally convoys will parade past Buckingham Palace to join an eclectic mix of vehicles and mobility services on display along The Mall between Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square. The all-day sustainable travel show will be free to attend and feature interactive displays for the whole family.
Across the road at Lancaster House will be the Start Pop-up Restaurant, promoting sustainable eating. You'll be able to enjoy a drink or light meal in the Garden, or you may even wish to pre-book the full dining experience and enjoy the splendour and atmosphere of the Grand Hall inside the House, which was recently used to depict Buckingham Palace for the Academy Award winning “The King’s Speech”. All in all, it will be a wonderful, sustainable and - we hope - inspirational day out.
The Mall was created as a ceremonial route and during state visits the monarch and the visiting heads of state are escorted up the mall in a state carriage and the street is decorated with flags.
Just North of The Mall is Clarence House, the official residence of The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and Prince Harry. Clarence House is an important part of the nation’s built heritage and, between 2002 to 2003, the House underwent essential renovation and redecoration. The Royal Household Property Services carried out the refurbishment and worked with organisations including the Forest Stewardship Council to specify and buy sustainable materials and timber from responsibly managed forests.
In 2010, The Prince of Wales won permission to install solar panels on the roof of Clarence House as part of efforts to make his 180-year-old London residence “carbon negative”. Some 32 photovoltaic (PV) panels, capable of producing 4,000 kilowatt hours of power a year, are installed on the roof of the 170-year-old residence. This figure is equivalent to the amount of energy used by the average London household each year.
Plans show that the solar PV panels will not be visible from the ground, as they will be hidden from view by a high parapet. A spokesperson for Westminster City Council told the Associated Press: "There were no objections and the application was not considered contentious. We trust it will make a positive contribution to the Prince of Wales's efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of Clarence House."
The Mall
London SW1y 5
United Kingdom
