Our Environment

Waste, Energy Management & Biodiversity

Waste

We are dedicated to sustainability through comprehensive waste management strategies. Our zero-waste-to-landfill policy, maintained for nine consecutive years, reflects our commitment to environmental responsibility.

Highlights:

Zero Waste to Landfill: All waste is recycled, repurposed, or converted into biofuel or compost, nothing ends up in landfill.

Plastic Reduction: We are committed to eliminating single-use plastics and harmful packaging throughout our supply chain.

People's Pantry: Redistribution of unsold and unused food to team members to further reduce waste.

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Continued…

Highlights:

Food Waste management:

We currently utilise a biodigester to convert food waste into nutrient-rich compost for on-site use.

Menu Planning and Food Ordering Optimisation

In 2024, significant progress was made in streamlining menu planning and food ordering across our three venues. By creating a unified approach to menu development and aligning the food order baskets, we have achieved greater consistency and efficiency in our operations. This collaboration has helped minimise food waste, reduce duplicate orders, and lower delivery frequency.

As a result, we have not only reduced our environmental footprint but also ensured a more sustainable supply chain by limiting transport emissions and improving inventory management.

12 tonnes of carbon offset is equivalent to the carbon absorbed by approximately 600 mature trees in a year.

15 tonnes of nutrient-rich soil produced could fertilize an area the size of three football pitches for a growing season.

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73 tonnes

The amount of food waste put through our bio-digester. Giving a total carbon off-set of 12 tonnes and producing 15 tonnes of rich soil nutrient.

Highlights:

Saving plastic waste – Aqua Libra

In summer 2024 we installed 2 new Aqua Libra water dispensers to the Willows and Salix Venues.

While Aqua Libra contributes by offering a sustainable hydration solution, the venues have also been reducing single-use plastic bottles through the installation of water taps and dispenser bubbles since 2020. These combined initiatives help to minimise packaging waste and reduce the need for bottled drinks, aligning with the venues' broader goals of waste reduction and carbon footprint minimisation.

Site	Water 250ml Serves	Flavour 250ml Serves	500ml bottles not needed	Kg packaging avoided	Kg of packaged drinks not transported
Total	21,305	30,563	25,934	571	13,002

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Plans for the year ahead…

Installation of a New Biodigester:

We are investing in a second biodigester, which will be located at The Woodlands Event Centre. Scheduled for installation in February 2025, this biodigester will expand our capacity to process food waste into compost, ensuring no food waste leaves the site.

Development of a Composting Centre:

Plans are underway to establish a dedicated composting centre to support centralised processing of organic waste across the resort. This centre will play a crucial role in utilising compost for landscaping and operational needs.

Recycling & Supplier Engagement:

Continued focus on sustainable packaging and reducing non-recyclable waste in partnership with suppliers.

“We don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”

Anne-Marie Bonneau

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Energy Management and Renewable Transition and Progess

We successfuly completed the ESOS Phase 3 Compliance Report, demonstrating our commitment to energy efficiency. Key achievements include:

A total energy reduction of 3 million kWh annually, saving over £150,000 in energy costs.

Implementation of advanced energy management practise and capital investments.

Reduction of total energy consumption to 6,834,494kWh for the compliance period, with 95.3% from significant consumption sources.

Aligned with our Green Energy Roadmap, we are transitioning to renewable energy to achieve Net Zero Scopes 1 & 2 by the end of 2027.

3,200 solar panels installed, delivering 1.4MWh of renewable energy.
Submitted plans for a 1MW wind turbine to further enhance our green energy portfolio.

Energy-Saving Initiatives

Through targeted projects we have implemented:

Sub-metering and control system upgrades, improving monitoring and efficiency.
LED lighting and HVAC improvements, cutting operational energy use.

Future Plans:

We are committed to expanding renewable capacity and await the outcome on our planning submission for a wind turbine allowing us to transition away from gas systems, and optimising site-wide energy distribution to meet our Net Zero goal.

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Our Scope Measurements

The total emissions for 2023 is 3,854.11 tCo2e as can be seen with a breakdown by scope in the below table:

Emissions - tCO2e	2023	2022	% difference
Scope 1	347.76	368.21	-5.55%
Scope 2	1,026.79	955.28	+7.49%
Scope 3	2,479.55	89.64	+2,666.28%
Total	3,854.11	1,413.13	+172.75%

Scope 1 Emissions:

We’ve reduced consumption in natural gas at the Waterfront building, petrol for company vehicles, vans, and liquid fuels (gas oil), leading to a decrease in Scope 1 emissions.

Scope 2 Emissions:

While we aim to reduce reliance on grid electricity, purchased electricity decreased across most buildings. However, significant increases at Woodlands bedrooms, Waterfront, and street lighting caused overall Scope 2 emissions to rise in 2023.

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Scope 3

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Read Carbon Emissions 2023 vs 2022 Report >

Process For Measurement

To understand our Scope 3 emissions, we used the GHG Protocol to focus on key categories, including:

Purchased Goods and Services
Capital Goods
Fuel and Energy-Related Activities

We used supplier data where possible and DEFRA spend-based factors when detailed information wasn't information. At this stage, we haven't measured delegate travel due to data limitations but hope to include it in the future.

Reduction Plans

We've identified food and beverage suppliers as a significant contributor to our Scope 3 emissions. As a result:

All food and beverage suppliers were included in our reporting, regardless of spend.
We've started working with top suppliers to unerstand their emissions and reductions plans.

Supply Chain Collaboration

We're actively engaging with our suppliers to improve transparency and align with sustainability goals. These conversations ensure that emissions reporting and reduction plans are part of our future supply chain decisions.

Biodiversity

We’re passionate about preserving and enhancing the natural environment. Our biodiversity initiatives focus on creating habitats that support wildlife and promote sustainability across our resort.

Living Wall

We've installed two vast and vibrant living walls that brings a wonderful touch of nature on arrival at the resort. This feature helps improve air quality, supports pollinators, and provides an eye-catching example of how biodiversity can be integrated into design.

Tree Planting

This year, our Room2Grow campaign has peaked at over 60,000 trees and shrubs to be planted in total. With over 30,000 trees and shrubs planted already as part of our ongiong commitment to reforestation and carbon sequestration, we will complete the remaining planting in 2025. These trees not only absorb CO2 but also create essential habitats for local wildlife.

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Supporting a Beekeeping Community at Wyboston Lakes Resort

We are proud to host a thriving beekeeping community on our site. By providing a safe and supportive environment for beekeeping, we not only protect these vital pollinators but also promote the flourishing of plant and animal life within and beyond our grounds

Bees are responsible for pollinating approximately 75% of the world's flowering plants and 35% of global crops, including many fruits, vegetables, and nuts. By fostering a community of beekeepers, we contribute to the preservation of bee populations, which are increasingly under threat from habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change.

Our partnership with the beekeeping community underscores the importance of coexistence with nature and highlights the role that hospitality venues can play in driving positive environmental change. By creating a haven for bees, we enhance the health of our natural environment while inspiring guests and stakeholders to engage with sustainability in meaningful ways.

Bug Hotels & Bee Hives

Our bug hotels and bee hives are scattered across the resort and have been a great success, providing safe spaces for beneficial insects that play a crucial role in pollination and pest control.

These installations are part of our larger effort to create a thriving ecosystem on-site.

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Biodiversity continued…

Wildflower Planting

Our wildflower meadors are not just beautiful but vital for supporting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. These areas enhance the natural landscape and contribute to a healthier environment for all.

Partnership with The Wildlife Trust

We’re proud to collaborate with The Wildlife Trust, who manage the adjacent nature reserve. Their expertise has been invaluable in ensuring our efforts align with best practices and have a lasting impact. Together, we’re working on new initiatives to protect local species and educate our guests about the importance of biodiversity.

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