Green Living

GreenLiving

Rhug Estate leads way in carbon calculations

The Rhug Estate in Corwen is leading the way by investing in, measuring and monitoring its carbon footprint so improvements can be made to make the entire farm business reach the Government’s target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. As part of the transition into a carbon-neutral world, the estate has taken the first step by creating a new position: low carbon project manager. Mared Williams started in the role in February, and her first job was to calculate Rhug Organic Farm’s carbon footprint. A bespoke climate action plan will then be developed to mitigate and offset emissions across every sector of Rhug Estate’s business, including the residential properties, let farms and forestry, green energy, retail, wholesale and skincare.Mared Williams

Putting the future first

“We feel that it is crucial that we set out to create a clear roadmap,” says Lord Newborough, owner of Rhug Estate. “Climate change is our biggest threat and we owe it to the next generation to do everything we can to mitigate its effects.”

A carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide released into the air. At Rhug Estate the aim is to measure the carbon footprint by considering all greenhouse gas emissions. Net zero or carbon neutral is when you achieve a balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. So while there will still be some emissions, they will be offset somewhere else through natural carbon sinks such as trees and soils. As part of its commitment to the environment, Rhug

“We owe it Estate has also introduced to the next generation to do everything sustainable packaging for most of its organic meat products. The new cardboard meat trays can be disposed of in a standard recycling bin and also improve the shelf life of Rhug’s organic meat, giving the consumer an extra two days on the use-by date. we can” All the animals reared on Rhug’s organic farm eat feed grown on the farm and can range freely on clover-rich pastures free of sprays and artificial fertiliser. The estate also produces its own power through solar, hydro and wind systems to ensure a minimal carbon footprint and a truly sustainable approach to agriculture.

It’s a wrap

Sustainable meat packaging

Search is on

for green leaders

Asearch has been launched to find “net zero heroes” as companies across north Wales battle to reduce carbon emissions. The challenge has been set by the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council to inspire business and industry to join the race for a net zero carbon future. The contest was launched with a conference and split into three categories; microbusiness/start-up, small business, and medium/large business. Themes include Energy and Transport, Manufacturing, Tourism and Hospitality, Food and Retail and Buildings and Construction.

Ashley Rogers, the council’s commercial director, says that climate change “presents a real challenge to how we have done things for so long but also provides real opportunities. Here we have the capability to harness wind, solar and tidal power as well as developing major plans around hydrogen and a nuclear skills base. However, getting to net zero is not just about low-carbon energy and new green jobs but also

“It’s decarbonising our existing businesses in tourism, manufacturing, essential to transport, construction and other sectors. Now we want to identify the positive role models” recognise the companies that are already leading the way towards net zero and celebrate their role as pathfinders to this goal.” One of the UK’s biggest banks, NatWest, has already achieved net zero status and Kevin Morgan, its senior director of Wales business banking, is scheduled to speak at the Net Zero 2021 conference. He says: “It’s essential that we identify the pioneers already championing the region’s transition towards a zero-carbon economy – the positive role models that can generate a significant impact within their local communities.”

Ashley Rogers (left) and Kevin Morgan