At Rhug Estate, sustainability and environmental protection are at the heart of everything we do. We’re committed to continuous improvement, reducing our carbon footprint, and achieving net zero emissions across our entire operation.
Over the past year, we’ve taken significant strides towards this goal. Here’s a glimpse into our recent achievements:
- Investing in Green Energy: We’ve implemented a range of renewable energy projects, including wind, solar, hydro, and heat pumps, generating power from 4kW to 5MW. This not only reduces our reliance on fossil fuels but also sets an example for sustainable practices.
- Carbon Sequestration and Reduction: We’ve invested heavily in measuring and monitoring our carbon footprint. This data allows us to optimize operations, minimize emissions, and enhance carbon sequestration through methods like regenerative agriculture.
- Regenerative Agriculture: We’ve transitioned to a rotational grazing system that improves soil health and overall livestock system efficiency. This approach promotes natural carbon capture and contributes to a healthier environment.
- Innovation in Transportation: We’ve equipped one of our delivery vans with a hydrogen electrolyser, slashing exhaust emissions by 80% and fuel combustion by 20% on its bi-weekly London trips. Additionally, our farm vehicles have been converted to gas, significantly reducing diesel usage.
- Operational Efficiency: We’ve implemented measures to optimise energy use across the farm shop, takeaway, and drive-thru, leading to a 20,000 kWh electricity saving and a 4,000 kg CO2e reduction. We’re constantly exploring opportunities for further on-site renewable energy generation.
- Waste Reduction: We’ve upgraded recycling facilities and processes and partnered with Too Good To Go, an app that helps reduce food waste by allowing customers to purchase surprise food bags.
- Employee Engagement: Our staff has undergone carbon literacy training to deepen their understanding of climate change and its impact.
These are just some of the ways we’re working towards a more sustainable future. Our recent carbon footprint assessment revealed that we’re now carbon negative, sequestering more carbon than we emit. This is a tremendous achievement, and we’re incredibly proud of our team’s dedication.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to continuous improvement. By constantly innovating and implementing sustainable practices across all our businesses, we can contribute to a brighter future for generations to come.
“Sustainability and protecting the environment is integral to the ethos of Rhug Estate,” said Lord Newborough.
“The significant investment we have made aims to improve carbon sequestration, reduce emissions and reach net zero across our varied and diverse portfolio, but this is just the start of our journey – we have so much more to do.”
Organic Beef