Move to create zero-emission route with St Malo

Jersey signed an agreement to create a zero-carbon maritime route with St Malo in Brittany

Jersey has agreed to create a zero-emission maritime route with St Malo in Brittany, the island's government has said.

The agreement to create a "green corridor" was signed by representatives from Ports of Jersey and Brittany at an annual political summit hosted in the island.

The memorandum of understanding means the two regions will share expertise and studies and develop joint decarbonisation plans for shipping firms and marina initiatives.

Matt Thomas, Ports of Jersey CEO, said the organisation had a clear plan to reduce carbon emissions to net-zero by 2030 and he was "pleased to be cooperating with our French neighbours".

Sustainable shipping route

He said Ports was already "working with airlines and ferry companies to help them decarbonise" as well as making sure Elizabeth Harbour, in St Helier, could support boats using "renewable or low-carbon fuel" when it was redeveloped.

The annual summit was held at Greve de Lecq Barracks between the governments of Jersey and Guernsey and the French regions of Brittany and Ille-et-Vilaine, the area of Brittany that contains St Malo.

As well as the sustainable shipping route, they discussed wind farms, sharing information about marine plans, overseas aid, and developing broader political relationships.

Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, from the States of Guernsey, said: "Our regional links with Brittany are very important to us and I was pleased that following last year's signing of the partnership with the regional council of Brittany work has continued and enabled us to strengthen our connections with our neighbours."

Alongside the political talks, the summit was an opportunity to share connections in areas such as "education, culture, sports", Jersey's government said, with artists from Jersey, Guernsey and Rennes, in Brittany, collaborating on a "successful artistic residency" held in the barracks.