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This year, Sunderland International Airshow hopes to show the world that ?the sky's the limit? when it comes to cutting carbon emissions, as it pursues accreditation to become what is believed to be Europe's first ever CarbonNeutral airshow.

Assisted by Gentoo and CarbonNeutral North East, Sunderland City Council are aiming to reduce and off-set any emissions caused by staging the two-day event.

Using figures from previous years, the sustainability team at the council has calculated the carbon, which is released into the environment by the planes which wow the crowds as well as the vehicles people use to travel to the event.

While a review of the configuration of flights will result in fewer emissions than last year, and people are being encouraged to park and ride or car share, an estimated 404 tonnes of CO2 will still be produced by the Airshow, which attracts the greatest number of visitors of any annual event in the North East.

Gentoo's support provides the resources to offset these emissions by paying for the required number of local energy-saving projects. These will directly benefit both the people and the environment of the North East.

Sally Hancox, Director at Gentoo explains:

?At Gentoo, we recognise the seriousness of climate change, and we are keen to help Sunderland City Council in their attempts to minimise the impact of the airshow on the environment.

?We are specifically looking at local projects that provide extra insulation for homes and buildings therefore reducing the amount of carbon emissions for years to come. The key is that the project has to be something extra for the city, which would not have happened otherwise.

?The projects identified include insulating a number of homes in Sunderland and giving a Gentoo customer the opportunity to have a carbon makeover on their home.?

Charles Henderson from CarbonNeutral North East said:

?We are delighted to help the airshow meet its environmental aims. It's great that carbon emissions are being reduced as much as possible as well as being offset. As public awareness and scrutiny of offset projects grow, it is vital that people see sustainable initiatives helping people in their own region and the correct accreditation being sought.?

The line-up for this year's event includes the RAF Falcons parachute display team who will open the show on both days with a dramatic beach landing.