New sustainability challenges
Long-term thinking is part of our DNA at Chatsworth; the conservation of buildings, woodlands, water courses, moorland, hedgerows, and pasture requires a cycle of management which continues to sustain this special landscape for future generations.
With a spirit of stewardship inherent to life on the estate, we recognise our responsibility to address the new sustainability challenges of our time, such as climate change, natural resource scarcity, and enhanced threats to wildlife diversity and habitat.
Fresh thinking, active solutions
These challenges demand fresh thinking and active solutions. In response, the Duke’s son, Lord Burlington, founded the Devonshire Group Environmental Committee (DGEC) in 2010 to promote awareness of sustainability across the estate.
Formally recognising the values of ‘people, profit and planet’, the DGEC grew into a Triple Bottom Line Steering Committee. The committee aims to develop policies and initiatives that deliver social equity, economic prosperity and environmental protection: Chatsworth’s Triple Bottom Line.
In 2013, we received recognition for our sustainability work through a Green Tourism Gold Award and, never wanting to stand still, in 2014 we appointed the consulting wing of the New Economics Foundation to identify further priority hot spots to help us improve and measure our environmental performance.
Find out more about the current priority areas in our greener Chatsworth strategy below. Please contact us if you have any questions about sustainability at Chatsworth.
Environmental policy statement
The Devonshire Group is committed to enhancing our environment and we strive continuously to reduce our impact on it.
Property emissions and renewables
We are committed to reducing our property greenhouse gas emissions, and we will play our part in mitigating the threat of extreme climate change.
Water
As an important natural resource, we always aim to take care to use water efficiently and effectively, particularly when using mains supplies.
Waste
Reduce, reuse, recyle: this is the philosophy we follow at Chatsworth to continue to improve our waste hierarchy.
Natural heritage and biodiversity
Chatsworth parkland contains a spectacular range of biodiversity and we continue to work with partners to preserve our natural heritage and support wildlife.
Sustainable communities
It is our ambition to support the communities we engage with to act sustainably, whether that is our staff and volunteers, visitors, tenants or local residents.
Transport
We are committed to supporting staff and visitors to adopt lower-impact modes of transport, as this is one of our major environmental impacts.
Food and farming
Our farmers maintain high environmental farming practices through a Higher Level Stewardship agreement.
