Environmental Actions

Our Promise

At Whatley Manor, we are working to reduce the environmental impact of our operations and value chain. As part of this commitment, we have set an objective to reduce Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions per guest night by 5% each year, using 2022 as our baseline year.

In 2023, we have reduced our Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 98% compared with our 2019 baseline. This reduction has been achieved primarily through our use of renewable electricity and biogas, alongside improvements in energy management and operational efficiency. Having achieved this milestone five years ahead of our original target, we are now focusing on addressing emissions associated with our supply chain and purchased goods and services.

Our Vision

Our aim is to operate our hotel, restaurant and spa in a way that continually reduces our environmental impact while supporting our people, local communities and the long-term resilience of the business.

We seek to make informed decisions that contribute to improved environmental and social outcomes for our guests, employees, suppliers and wider stakeholders.

Our Approach

We work with our team, suppliers and guests to identify opportunities to reduce environmental impacts and improve social outcomes across our operations.

Our focus areas include:

• Supporting the wellbeing of our team through initiatives such as wellbeing days, charity volunteering opportunities and enhanced employee benefits.
• Measuring and reporting our environmental performance using the Greenly carbon accounting platform and participating in EarthCheck’s independent certification programme, submitting environmental performance data annually and undergoing independent audit as part of the certification process.
• Reviewing our supply chain and engaging suppliers on environmental and social performance.
• Providing sustainability training and awareness programmes for employees and sharing relevant information with suppliers and guests.
• Applying circular economy principles where practical, including reducing waste, reusing materials and increasing recycling.
• Improving energy efficiency through investment in technology and operational improvements.
• Collaborating with local organisations and industry partners to share knowledge and learn from best practice.

Why We Care

Our owners set out to explore how a luxury hotel could deliver exceptional guest experiences while continually reducing its environmental impact.

Since 2019, we have developed a sustainability programme that incorporates environmental management, employee engagement and independent certification to help guide and assess our progress.

Our Progress to Date

Our sustainability journey began in 2019 in collaboration with NOW Transforming Hospitality and EarthCheck, an international certification and advisory organisation focused on sustainable tourism.

EarthCheck Gold Certification recognises organisations that have maintained EarthCheck certification for at least five consecutive years, with performance independently audited as part of the certification process. In 2026, Whatley Manor became the first independent hotel in the UK to achieve EarthCheck Gold Certification.

Through the purchase of renewable electricity and biogas, together with operational improvements, we reduced our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions from 68.5 kg CO₂e per guest night in 2019 to 0.36 kg CO₂e per guest night in 2024.

Our total Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions in 2025 were 38.5% lower than our 2022 baseline.

We work with suppliers to better understand environmental and social impacts within our value chain and to encourage the measurement and reduction of their own emissions and resource use.

Biodiversity and Community

Whatley Manor is set within 12 acres of gardens that support a variety of plant and animal species. We are focused on maintaining and enhancing these areas through our estate management activities.

We commissioned biodiversity audits of our grounds in 2024 and 2026. The findings inform the garden team’s work to maintain and create habitats for wildlife.

The 2026 survey recorded 46 butterfly and moth species, compared with 24 in 2024, and 33 bird species, compared with 28 in 2024. Species recorded included house martin and linnet, both of which are included on the UK’s Birds of Conservation Concern Red List

We also maintain beehives on the estate, currently hosting four colonies. In partnership with local beekeeper John Stevens, we supply honey for the Chefs in the kitchen and guests can purchase jars at the hotel shop.

Within the local community, we participate in events, meetings and initiatives that support community engagement and wellbeing. We also host gatherings and talks that provide opportunities to discuss sustainability and related topics with local stakeholders.

Climate Action and Carbon Credits

Whatley Manor purchases and retires carbon credits from the San Jerónimo Coatlán Carbon Sequestration Project in Oaxaca, Mexico, registered under the Climate Action Reserve programme. These credits support forest conservation and carbon sequestration activities within the project area.

They are used as a supplementary measure and finance climate action outside Whatley Manor’s value chain. We do not use them as a substitute for reducing emissions from our own operations and value chain.

Looking Ahead

We will continue to identify opportunities to reduce emissions, improve resource efficiency and strengthen our sustainability programme.

Our priorities include further engagement with suppliers, continued measurement and reporting of environmental performance, and ongoing improvements across our operations.

We recognise that sustainability is an ongoing process of learning and improvement, and we remain committed to taking practical steps that support our environmental and social objectives.

Click here to read our environmental and social sustainability policy