Our Climate and Environment Policy

Ranger removing debris from the hydro at Watendlath, Cumbria | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

As Europe’s largest conservation charity, the National Trust places great importance on responding to threats posed by the climate crisis. Find out exactly what our climate and environment objectives are, and how we intend to deliver on them.

Responding to climate change

The scale of the National Trust’s conservation responsibilities is huge, encompassing more than 600,000 acres of countryside, 700 miles of coastline and over 300 historic houses and gardens.

Our job is, and always will be, to protect and care for places so people and nature can thrive. We recognise that responding to the threats posed by the climate crisis and the catastrophic decline in our natural environment are core to our context and purpose.

This Climate and Environment Policy describes our climate response and broader environmental ambitions. It includes our target to be carbon net zero by 2030, and to embed climate change adaptation into our decision making.

It sets out our principles and objectives to ensure that the management of our business operations and our conservation work are done in a way that:

reduces resource use
prevent pollution
ensures compliance with all external and internal obligations.

Irreplaceable trees lost in Storm Arwen at Bodnant Gardens, Conwy | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Our Climate and Environmental Management System (CEMS)

To manage these responsibilities, we maintain and enhance a Climate and Environmental Management System (CEMS) certified to ISO 14001.This provides a framework for identifying, setting and tracking progress against objectives to continually improve our environmental performance and climate response.

In delivering these responsibilities, we commit to the following principles:

We'll use resources wisely, establishing a baseline for key resource consumption and emissions to accurately measure and report our performance.
We'll comply with all legislation and other obligations, using our influence to increase the level of protection for the environment.
We'll share the stories about the impacts on our natural and cultural heritage to foster greater understanding in those we can influence and inspire positive actions.
We'll understand the implications of climate change and ensure that our business decisions are climate informed.

Tree planting on tenant farmland at Lodge Park, Gloucestershire | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Our climate and environment objectives

To achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030, we'll reduce our Green House Gas emissions inline with the latest science to limit future atmospheric warming to 1.5°C. For those carbon emissions which we haven't reduced by 2030, we'll remove the equivalent amount from the atmosphere through our land and habitats.
- Reduce our scope 1 and 2 emissions (i.e. direct emission from energy used for heating and power, fuels used in machinery and vehicles and our in-hand livestock) by 5% each year from our baseline (2019/20) to 2030, reducing them by half overall.
- Reduce our scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions (i.e. direct and indirect emissions from across our value chain) at least in line with science-based requirements for a 1.5°C trajectory (an ambition of 50% reduction from our baseline (2019/2020) by 2030).
To include climate change risks and opportunities in all our decision making. We'll understand the current and future climate change risks and opportunities and respond appropriately to them as defined by our Adaptation Pathway Process.
To use resources efficiently and minimise waste, we'll build a culture of resource efficiency, manage waste better, reduce general waste and increase recycling and avoid single-use plastic.
To reduce water consumption, we'll ensure our use is measured, reduced and reflects local water availability, acknowledging the damage overconsumption has on nature.
To prevent pollution, we'll improve and maintain our sewage systems and avoid, where possible, the use of hazardous materials (e.g. herbicides and pesticides). We'll continue to reduce our use of oil.
To encourage sustainable procurement through the Sourcing Standards for high-risk goods and services.
To use our Sustainable Design Tool to assess and improve the sustainability of our projects.

Responsibility for overseeing the effective delivery of this Climate and Environment Policy sits with the Land & Nature Directorate.

The Climate and Environmental Management System (CEMS), UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS) and Sustainable Restaurant Association are the third-party assured frameworks through which we deliver strategic ambitions. These are to restore a healthier, more beautiful natural environment, and to respond to the challenges of climate change.