Combatting Climate ChangeThe climate crisis is the most urgent threat to our past heritage, present communities and future survival. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site we are uniquely positioned to ensure we not only sustain, but regenerate, adapt and thrive.
In 2017, we made a pledge to become carbon neutral on scops 1-3 of the Greenhouse Gas (GHS) protocol acrosss all operations by 2027 and beyond that, to remove 230,000 tonnes of CO2e from the atmosphere by 2050.
In 2025 we achieved our long term goal of becoming a net generator of green energy. This milestone was reached with the launch of Weaveley Solar Farm. We also became the first member of the Sustainable Energy Consortium to both import and export energy whilst remaining 100% renewably powered.
Using a range of renewable energy sources including biomass, solar and hydro power we have been able to make significant energy savings across the Estate, converting to LED lighting and using smart managment systems to monitor usage. We also continue efforts to reduce our carbon footprint by launching reusable cups and waste management schemes in our catering outlets and expanding our use of electric vehicles.
Whilst these achievements demonstrate our progress we are firmly looking into the future to set a lasting benchmark for sustainability across the Estate and local community.
This year, we recieved a Gold Award from Green Tourism, making us one of the UK'S greenest attractions.
It is our commitment that we will focus on reducing our carbon emissions across all business areas with our partners and suppliers as much as possible and that means changing how we deliver and operate in the coming years. Our challenge, as many businesses will face, is that we also need to generate income to survive and protect our magnificent place and the good we do for the economy. At some points we will therefore have to off-set our carbon. We will keep sharing our journey.
Dominic Hare, Blenheim CEO
In May 2025 we proudly pulgged in our 20-acre 7Mw solar generation facility located on the northeast of the Estate, Weaverly Solar Farm. This means we ahcieved our goal of becoming a net generator of green energy, two years before the target date of 2027. The farm now supplies much of our 12,000 acre Estate with clean electricity and has an expected life span of 30 years. The farm also boosts biodiversity in the area by planting wildflowers, providing areas for sheep to graze and creating wild bee habitats.
LED lights:We've transitioned our facilities energy efficent LED lighting, significanlty lowering our energy consumption and carbon footprint.
Electricity savings: We've rolled out an energy reduction programme, already seeing 40% reductions in savings in one of our buildings. By implementing smart sensors and increasing awareness with ai powered reporting, our teams to have detailed insights into their energy usage.
Solar energy: The Weaverly Solar Farm is now up and running and provides energy for buildings across the Estate and Palace. The 20-acre site generates enough energy to power over 2,000 homes.
Waste:Our returnable cup scheme has successfully launched across all cafes, preventing 400,000 single use cups from ending up in landfill and reducing carbon emissions by 1,150kg.
Food:Our no-dig Kitchen Garden has doubled in size, providing the Cafes and Orangery Restaurant with fresh seasonal vegetables. Our coffee waste is also collected in partnerhsip with a local mushroom farm and recycled into a substrate which grows mushrooms, supplying our outlets and creating a sustainable circular economy.
Green Transport: We have a fleet of electric vehicles and EV charging points at the estate office, as well as cycle paths connecting local villages and train stations.
Our returnable cup scheme is now in place in all our cafés! Why not try it out next time you visit? These cups can be returned, cleaned, and reused up to 1,000 times. Using returnable cups means we have the potential to make a substantial reduction in our annual carbon emissions.
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