Greta Thunberg’s yacht trip to New York not as green as it may seem

Greta Thunberg wanted to set an example about zero-carbon travel
Greta Thunberg wanted to set an example about zero-carbon travel

Greta Thunberg’s decision to cross the Atlantic in a “zero-carbon yacht” may generate more emissions than it saves because of flights taken by the crew.

The 16-year-old Swedish climate change activist, who left Plymouth aboard Malizia II on Wednesday on a two-week voyage to New York, where she will speak at a UN climate change meeting, had vowed not to fly to cut her carbon footprint and set an example.

However, Team Malizia, which operates the 60ft yacht, said two of her crew would be flying to New York to bring the yacht back to Europe.

In addition, the two sailors travelling across the Atlantic with Greta and her father, Svante, an actor, may fly home, a spokeswoman said.

Boris Herrmann, the skipper, and