UK: Whatley Manor has secured its EarthCheck Silver status for the third consecutive year following a successful reduction of Scope 1 and 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
Once a property has achieved four consecutive Silvers they can go for Gold status, which means if Whatley Manor achieves Silver status again next year it can aim for EarthCheck Gold in 2026.
Sue Williams, sustainability advisor to the hotel said: “Receiving the news that Whatley has successfully managed to reduce their gas emissions five years ahead of schedule is an environmental milestone we are truly proud of; we need to keep a strong focus to achieve ongoing annual Carbon reductions in order to be on track to achieve EarthCheck gold in 2026.
“This goal will be reached with the ongoing dedication of the team towards the science-based targets set.”
To achieve its third consecutive Silver status, the property switched to a certified renewable electricity and biogas supplier, removing all gas appliances from the kitchen, and gradually swapping all on-site appliances to use either electricity or biomethane, the hotel has achieved the reduction in emissions sooner than anticipated.
The reduction in GHG by 98 per cent has exceeded the property’s initial target of 95 per cent by 2028, with a 2019 baseline.
The hotel’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions per guest night in 2019 were 68.55kg CO2e (around the weight of the average person), while the mass of carbon generated per guest night in 2023 was 0.393kg CO2e – just over the weight of a can of soft drink.
Williams added: “We are proud to be able to share this news now that the achievement has been fully verified by our partners EarthCheck. Their processes are rigorous, and it has only been achieved with full commitment from the team at Whatley. The goals were set in line with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), which gave us a clear goal to work towards.
“Finally the rigorous external audit we go through every year, ensures that our bold statement has credibility. Now all focus can be given to our Scope 3 emissions, biodiversity improvements and supporting the SDG’s.”
The hotel is aiming to reduce its Scope 3 emissions – those associated with its supply chain – by 90 per cent by 2035 in line with science-based targets initiative.
EarthCheck’s framework is based on principles from the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), and relies on an initial benchmarking of Key Performance Areas (KPAs) to achieve a baseline “EarthCheck Bronze” certification.
One year following benchmarking, a user can be audited to achieve their first Silver certification. The user must show continual improvement in their KPAs to remain at this level, needing four consecutive Silver certifications to be eligible for a Gold certification the following year.
Whatley Manor has just received its third Silver certification, meaning that the property will achieve a Gold certification in 2026 if EarthCheck see continual improvement in its sustainability systems and initiatives.
Scope 3 emissions will be a major focus for these efforts, with EarthCheck measuring variables such as Whatley’s supply chain, guest and employee modes of transport and travel distances, embodied energy of new appliances, and the energy used by its laundry supplier.
Set in 12 acres of gardens in the Cotswolds, Whatley Manor has 23 rooms, a spa, restaurants and gardens. This year the hotel became the UK’s first ‘climate positive’ hotel
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