GOODWOOD SUSTAINABILITY
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
FOREWORD
What we do at Goodwood has been inspired not only by the estate’s sporting heritage but also by the beautiful, unspoilt setting in the South Downs, a landscape interwoven with farmland, woodland, parkland, and Sussex chalkland.
The estate’s very existence is rooted in centuries of stewardship, protecting its social and ecological value.
But in a year when climate change affected the daily life of people around the world, we acknowledge the need to progress apace towards carbon neutrality.
From woodland management plans to protect our trees and support native wildlife, to the running of our own private water network, we continually seek ways to improve, innovate and transform sustainable practices across the estate, and to support those beyond our boundaries in their own efforts.
Among the most notable projects is the regeneration of the 13-acre Hat Hill Copse site. The estate provided this land to the Goodwood Art Foundation, which will allow it to evolve into a rich, biodiverse landscape for visitors and educational groups to enjoy.
We have also made great strides forward in balancing the impact of our various businesses. The reduction of carbon use and investment in alternative energy sources are at the heart of our discussions, plans and operations, as well as the content we share across our global channels. A key example of this strategy was the 2024 fuel policy at Goodwood Revival: all competitors were required to use a fuel which has a
minimum of 70% advanced sustainable components, in accordance with the FIA’s current requirements for sustainable fuel – a first in historic motorsport.
To close the circle of a sustainable business model, our partnerships must also align with this ethos. 2024 marked the third year of Goodwood’s collaboration with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars to preserve and enhance biodiversity across the estate, and support projects that benefit the local community’s access to and enjoyment of the natural environment. We also relished the opportunity to work closely with both local and international experts, including Vincent Wildlife Trust, Brent Wildlife Hospital, the South Downs National Park and Twyford Recycling.
This edition of the Goodwood Sustainability Report provides a rare moment to acknowledge the difficulties and celebrate the successes in striving to become as sustainable as we possibly can. By pursuing bold ambitions around sustainability and ecofriendly processes, the estate will continue to meet the challenges of climate change and the biodiversity crisis with creativity and innovation, ensuring that future generations can cherish Goodwood as we all do today.
THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF RICHMOND AND GORDON
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As well as hosting the internationally famous Festival of Speed, Qatar Goodwood Festival and Goodwood Revival – three of the most highly anticipated events in the British sporting and social calendar – Goodwood operates a diverse portfolio of more than 25 businesses across 11,000 acres, including one of the largest organic lowland farms in England; a historic Motor Circuit and Aerodrome; Goodwood Racecourse; two championship golf courses; one of the oldest cricket grounds in the country; the award-winning sustainable restaurant Farmer, Butcher, Chef; The Kennels members’ clubhouse; The Goodwood Hotel and Hound Lodge, a private 10-bedroom retreat, as well as the magnificent Goodwood House. Within the estate boundaries also sit a host of residential buildings, tenant farmland, farm buildings and commercial units.
This annual sustainability report covers six of the most relevant focus areas of the Goodwood estate operations, informed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The infographic overleaf illustrates headline assets, the bedrock of our sustainable operations, which underpins our strategy, and the actions detailed in the chapters that follow.
Natural Capital
The resources and natural environmental assets of the estate, including plant and animal life.
Carbon
The measurement of our carbon footprint, our use of green energy and alternative sustainable fuels.
Water
The sustainable management of water across the estate, including boreholes and aquifers, as well as management of our manmade supply and irrigation systems
Business
Proactive decisions, partnerships and improvements made by Goodwood, including management of supply chains, procurement and internal relationships between stakeholders.
Social
Initiatives and the impact that Goodwood has directly on its people, the local community, charities and local educational projects.
Resources and Waste
Resource management and creative ways to prolong the life cycle of materials in use.
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NATURAL CAPITAL
Natural Capital is the world’s stock of natural assets – including geology, soil, air, water and living things – that make human life possible. Across nearly 11,000 acres, the Goodwood Estate features a mix of managed gardens, recreational areas, farmland, woodland, waterways, and hedgerows, all of which play an important carbon sequestration, environmental, economic, and recreational role, both locally and nationally. Therefore, we continue to work within and evolve a sound land management strategy to provide, enhance and protect these assets and ecosystem services for future generations.
reptiles relocated from Rolls-Royce development site to Goodwood Estate’s rewilding area
Over the past few years of monitoring, many rare and indeed, endangered species of bird, insect and mammal have been discovered at Goodwood.
This year, we have increased the number of trail cameras, as they are helpful in documenting any changes in animal behaviour; identifying new or previously unseen species, and monitoring the local wildlife populations with minimal disturbance.
This data informs our work around habitat creation and enhancement. For example, evidence of what experts believe to be a polecat (sadly deceased) was discovered to the south of the estate, and so trail cameras have been established there to hopefully capture any future visitors and help us to create suitable habitats. In the meantime, samples of the suspected polecat remains are being analysed.
Ornithologist, Chrissi Twitchen – who specialises in ringing (attaching a lightweight numbered ring to a bird’s leg or wing) - monitors the Barn Owls across the estate, to track their survival, movements and other aspects of the birds’ lives. Interesting discoveries this year include a Barn Owl originally ringed on the Slindon Estate, who had chosen Goodwood for the last few years of roosting and raising chicks, and lived to a very impressive 12 years of age.
Chrissi has also been ringing the rehabilitated birds which the Brent Wildlife Hospital brings to
the estate, allowing us to monitor the success of our rehoming process. Goodwood supports birds rescued by Brent Wildlife Hospital by housing the birds in a secure enclosure in the woods for a few days while they slowly adjust to their surroundings before being released back into the wild. In 2024 alone, we released three Barn Owls, six Tawny Owls, two Kestrels, two Robins, three Blackbirds, nine Starlings and one Mistle Thrush.
During a survey in November, Chrissi was excited to hear the call of a Dartford Warbler – a species whose survival is a concern - and a Lesser Redpoll –a species considered increasingly at risk. Both species are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. A graph of species monitored using mist nests over the whole survey period for 2024 can be seen in fg 1. Earlier in the year, a bioacoustics survey of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ Goodwood site also identified 30,767 calls from 36 different bird species. Species of interest included a Skylark, Swift and a Greenfinch, as well as a Herring Gull and Water Rail, which are rarely found on the estate due to the lack of large permanent water bodies. This discovery confirmed the need to continue allowing rough areas to grow, cutting hedges on rotation and leaving field margins for such species to flourish.
Birds Monitored Through Use of Mist Netting for Two Survey Sites at Goodwood October - December 2024
(fg.1)
10 new Kestrel boxes and 10 new Barn Owl boxes have been made using recycled ATV tyres from vehicles used across Goodwood, a fantastic waterand windproof environment, modified using recycled wood. These bird boxes now sit proudly in their new locations at Goodwood, awaiting our first residents in time for the nesting season.
Following sightings of White-Tailed Eagles, Forestry England suggested the birds might be scouting for breeding sites at Goodwood. Inspired by the conservationist organisation, The Roy Dennis Foundation, a local tree climbing company was commissioned to create two models of White-Tailed Sea Eagle nests from organic materials, and position them in the tallest coniferous trees. They began with sturdy branches, and were finished with leaf, mulch, and moss, resulting in structures large enough for two people to sit in. We are working with Forestry England who track and monitor the birds externally and will notify us when the birds are in proximity. Meanwhile, having followed the success of Pine Marten releases nearby in the New Forest, the team also commissioned local charitable organisation, the Aldingbourne Trust to create one Pine Marten box to install to the north of the site. Should a Pine Marten journey this way, there will be a suitable habitat in which for them to rest for a day or two.
Number of birds found
Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Dunnock
Goldcrest
Goldfinch
Great Tit Grey Wagtail
Lesser Refpoll
Long-tailed Tit Meadow Pipit
Redwing Robin
Song Thrush
Sparrowhawk
Stonechat Wren
Blackbird Chiffchaff
Collaborations
As part of Goodwood’s ongoing Sustainability Partnership with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, the two businesses worked together on a pond restoration project at Home Farm in collaboration with Portsmouth Water. The pond was previously a smallscale reservoir holding water from a disused borehole, but has been redundant for approximately 30 years. The primary objective of the restoration works was to support biodiversity whilst also creating a safe environment for the Goodwood Education Trust to use as part of their learning programme. Following a consultation with our lead ecologist, we removed the inefficient butyl liner from the bottom of the pond and reshaped the area, softening the sides into gradual slopes so that larger mammals such as deer and foxes can safely drink there. A bentonite liner was then laid, with bentonite clay joining the liner overlays together, and further chalk on top fixing them in place. The pond was filled naturally by the rainwater harvesting systems running from the nearby lambing shed, and a mix of native pond species were planted - including marginal, oxygenating, and floating plants - to cater to the needs of various insects and animals. Finally, a jetty was added for easy access to the pond’s edge, providing the Goodwood Education Trust with a platform for pond-dipping and observing the various ecosystems. Catherine Cannon, the Goodwood Education Trust Manager commented: “Our green space provides an incredible opportunity for children and young people to get close to nature. For many, it’s a real sense of freedom, being able to run freely and safely, and connect with our landscape, often for the first time. Green space is well known for providing both physical and mental health benefits.
‘Blue space’ (water) further contributes to physical, social and psychological health benefits. Combining the two together offers really powerful benefits for the young people we work with.”
The two businesses have also collaborated in the translocation of reptiles from the site of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars extention to their existing facilities. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars commissioned ecologists to evaluate the new receptor site to ensure the site was suitable; who then relocated two Grass snakes, 11 Common lizards and 215 Slow worms from the development site over the summer months. In preparation for the winter, Goodwood’s Forestry team has provided six new hibernacula; six new timber and brash piles; a variety of ponds and a range of scrapes as new habitats.
Vincent Wildlife Trust has also supported Goodwood’s sustainability planning, helping us to secure National England Species Recovery Programme funding which has allowed us to restore and preserve roosts and habitats for greater horseshoe bats.
In the summer, the Goodwood Estate team was invited to a neighbouring farm – which is in the process of conversion from an intensive arable farm into a regenerative farm - to explore ways in which we could improve connectivity for wildlife to pass from one estate to the next. We will continue to share our plans to support and enhance habitats so that the two estates can align natural capital restoration values, the first of which will be to nurture a currently sparse hedgerow that sits between the two estates into a wide, thick, mixed-species hedge.
Creation of Artificial Nest for White Tailed Eagle
Trees and Hedges
During December’s National Tree Week, Goodwood employees joined the Forestry team and a local contractor for tree-planting sessions across the estate. Alongside planting 200 trees, they also removed 300 tree guards which will be recycled into bird boxes. Goodwood’s goal is to have planted approximately 25,000 trees between mid-November 2024 and March 2025. The estate has planted a total of 202,550 new trees since 2019.
Thanks to funds raised by Goodwood’s carbon offsetting scheme, a second row of trees was added behind the hedge leading to Home Farm, with the aim of making the hedge bigger to allow for an enhanced wildlife corridor.
Around 2,500m of mixed native broadleaf hedgerow species was introduced to Halnaker during the planting season, improving wildlife connectivity to the southeastern side of the estate with a superior habitat. To date, the only trees in situ there are standing sweet chestnuts, dating back to the 1600s.
We have continued to invest in laying and rejuvenating our older hedgerows across the estate to ensure they flourish for many years to come, this year focussing on the hedges leading to Home Farm. Goodwood also enlisted the help of the Crumblies –a group of retired conservationists – to lay a further stretch of the Bullace Plum hedge near the dairy, while Rosie Rendell – a local hedge layer – has laid a 300m stretch of hedge flanking the Home Farm access road.
The River Lavant is a winterbourne chalk stream; running from the source in East Dean on the Goodwood Estate, it flows for approximately 15 miles (through West Dean, smaller surrounding estates and the City of Chichester) before meeting the sea at Chichester Harbour. In recent years, the estate has noticed a decline in the health of the river. The biodiversity and water quality is poor, and the river is often subject to flooding. Working with West Dean, the Goodwood Estate sought advice from the Western Sussex Rivers Trust, an independent charity, to gain advice and guidance on how best to undertake restoration work to improve the river.
The South Downs National Park also commissioned a River Condition Assessment Report, offering insightful guidance for all local landowners and stakeholders . We are now working on a landscape scale plan alongside the Western Sussex Rivers Trust which focuses on long-term, nature-based solutions to enhance and protect the ecosystems there.
River Lavant
Bullace Plum Hedge Laid this Year
Plants and Soil
This year, delivering on the landscape scale plan through the Sustainable Farming Incentive, we have focused on promotion of soil health and increasing our resilience to climate change. Among the actions taken, 10 hectares of otherwise unproductive farmland has been designated as rough areas, providing muchneeded habitats for local wildlife.
The team at Newhouse Farm consulted local ecologist, Neil Hulme on future management of the site, with a view to restoring 50 acres of arable fields into chalk downland habitat. The soil has been inoculated with locally-sourced native chalk downland wildflowers. Much of the seed has come from a neighbouring field’s seed bank, established at least 30 years ago, which can therefore be used without diminishing the donor’s supply. Some seed has also been taken from the 206-metre ancient mount over-looking Goodwood Racecourse, St. Roche’s Hill.
Elsewhere, Woodland Grow – a natural fertiliser – has been introduced this year, with the aim of increasing our soil health in both agricultural and forestry operations and thereby improving returns on crops. This will reduce losses to disease and regenerate the biological layer of the soil to reduce the carbon and nature footprint. Current products used at Goodwood include a seed coating and use of fertiliser pellets with added fungi. Our first growing trials include a fungi-enriched fertiliser pellet to treat an agricultural field of herbal lay – keeping one side of the field clear as a control sample – and a seed treatment for our arable crops. Spraying the seed with the essential nutrients and minerals needed for
germination stimulates growth and helps to combat diseases and infection. Meanwhile, the Forestry team has applied pellets in rewilding areas which have not flourished to date. In this trial period, we have spread semi-composted wood mulch and added pellets to hopefully kick start the nutrient cycling in the soil.
We are working to gather as much data as possible to review these regenerative, low carbon methods, with the view to sharing this with other estates in the future. Initial analysis shows that the test area supplemented soil is thriving compared to the control sites, so we will be replanting the treated land with trees, often hand-spreading tree seeds collected from the estate which will have been grown with the natural fertiliser pellets.
The Goodwood Estate provided the Hat Hill Copse site on New Barn Road (formerly, the Cass Sculpture Park) to the Goodwood Art Foundation, a new, not-for-profit organisation designed around three founding principles: art, environment, and education. All New Fund Offer money could therefore be channelled into a rich, biodiverse landscaping design by award-winning horticulturist, Dan Pearson OBE. The design includes a wildflower meadow, which will be planted using a native seed mix donated by Goodwood’s Gardens team. Gathered from across the estate using a wildflower seed harvester –acquired through the partnership with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars – these plants will be uniquely attuned to the estate's climate and soil types, aiding in disease resistance and benefiting the local bee population as a source of pollen.
The diversification of planting continued across the estate. Approximately 200 acres of herbal lay was planted, featuring species such as plantain, chicory, birds-foot trefoil and a variety of low sugar grasses, benefiting both the animals feeding with nutrients and minerals, and the fields themselves when it comes to surviving floods. Sixty hectares of winter cover crops were sown during the summer and a further 7.4 hectares of legumes and clover lay will be left unharvested to allow the roots of the plants to return nitrogen to the soil. These measures will improve both the health and the structure of the soil, increasing water percolation and reducing erosion. There is also investment in a new species of heritage wheat, which is more resilient to rain. A Goodwood loaf will then be made available at the Goodwood Farm Shop in due course.
Of the new plants discovered this year, perhaps the most exciting find was the uncommon new species of orchid – the broadleaved helleborine – bringing the total number of orchid species growing at Goodwood to 11. We also discovered an excellent selection of fruit trees and berry bushes within an overgrown garden of weeds and wildflowers during the renovation of the Crab Apple and Pear Tree Cottages. We have decided to encourage the natural regeneration of the plot rather than landscaping and introducing different plants. Then, in October, a fungus foray was completed by the West Weald Fungus Recording Group on the Newhouse Farm site, revealing a total of 29 species in two hours.
The species of interest included:
– Lepiota grangei or green dapperling, found under our beech trees
– Mucidula mucida or porcelain fungus, discovered on dead beech branches
– Macrolepiota procera or parasol mushroom, established in the camping field
– Coprinopsis species or dung inkcap, found growing on cattle dung, suggesting a very healthy dung
– Hygrocybe conica or blackening waxcap, discovered in the field system, a good marker of well-established, undisturbed grassland
– Marasmius oreades or fairy ring champignon, similarly located in the field system, another indicator of well-established pasture Following on from the 2022 Sustainability Report, we conducted another botanical survey at our Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) – the former chalk pit - to ensure that we are managing the protected site to benefit the extremely threatened broad-leaved cudweed ( Filago pyramidata , listed as endangered on the UK Red List and protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981). The land must be regularly disturbed to expose the chalk, which we have delivered for decades with carefully controlled off-road driving and riding experiences; the strips made by the vehicle tracks help maintain a viable population of this endangered plant.
Long Tailed Tit Monitored and Ringed Using Mist Netting Pearly Parachute Mushroom Found at Newhouse Farm
CARBON
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are the main driver of human anthropogenic climate change. Goodwood recognises it is producing GHG emissions through the consumption of fossil fuels, both in estate operations and its world-class events, energy production and agricultural practices. The estate’s long-term durability is dependent on limiting GHG emissions and mitigating the impact from changing climatic conditions.
As a result, carbon is a critical sustainability priority and a major measure of the success of our strategy. Our goal is to become a carbon neutral estate by 2030. From technological advances, to the movement of our visitors on site, we must consider all aspects of
energy use. The installation of our biomass energy centre and solar panels means that we can generate our own renewable energy both at our world class events and in daily estate operations. The use of electric vehicles, car charging points and carbon offsetting programmes have been integral to beginning the carbon neutral journey. We are embedding carbon reduction initiatives into our operations, such as innovation in our farming practices to using local and own produce at events. We will examine the progress made in approaching carbon neutrality across both estate operations and our flagship events.
Operations
We established our carbon footprint scope 1 and 2, and completed the SECR compliance documents for the 2023 financial accounts. We are reporting in line with ESOS requirements; therefore, we present 2023 figures in the 2024 report. We are looking to improve our data cycle using current data for future annual reports. The 2023 carbon numbers can be found in the table (fg.4) overleaf.
In line with our goal of carbon neutrality by 2030, 24.967 MWh of renewable energy, previously produced by event generators, is now produced by the biomass energy centre for the Festival of Speed alone. The biomass energy centre supply has also been extended to provide power to the new Goodwood Art Foundation site.
In September, the biomass facility saw the installation of a 180kW solar array which generated 25.527 MWh. We look forward to having access to a full year of data in 2025. The table overleaf (fg.5) details energy generated by the solar arrays across the site. Had we been using grid energy, we would have emitted 5,285kgCO2e.
Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) For the year ending 31 December 2022 and 2023 (fg.4)
As shown in fig 6, we are pleased to report that the charging points have been used more often and for longer across the estate, allowing for convenient and cleaner refuelling for customers, staff and the estate fleet.
At Goodwood Hotel and Health Club, several investigations led to technological upgrades to improve energy efficiency. The first were the pumps working within the swimming pool, which have been upgraded to operate with 3kW less power whilst maintaining the same flowrate, saving approximately £8,147 per year. The Hotel’s laundry provider in Southampton was replaced by a local service, reducing overall mileage incurred by 88% and therefore, carbon emissions.
During 2024, we saw the installation of a voltage optimiser at The Kennels in March which regulates the energy consumption from the grid to usage, lowering both electricity costs and our carbon footprint whilst improving the power quality. The installation saved 6.354 MWh of energy and had a carbon saving of 731 kgCO2
Meanwhile, the Home Farm team was excited to welcome a pair of helpers to the dairy yard: two electronic sweeper robots – powered by the estates biomass energy centre – to clear manure more efficiently, reducing carbon emissions and improving the hygiene and wellbeing of the cows.
“Sustainable fuels are a fantastic way to ensure a possible future pathway for the sport that we love. It’s great that Goodwood is leading the way in promoting the use of sustainable fuels at historic racing events.”
SEBASTIAN VETTEL, FOUR-TIME FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPION AND FOUNDER OF THE RACE WITHOUT TRACE INITIATIVE
The main goal for the operational teams is to reduce the impact of travel to events, the carbon footprint of the activities, and the waste produced.
In recognition of our infrastructure and protocols, we have maintained our long standing ISO20121 sustainability accreditation for all major events.
Flagship event operations continued to power temporary generators using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) rather than non-renewable fuels.
Switching to HVO biodiesel has resulted in a 98.8% decrease in carbon emissions (from 1,018 tCO2e in 2018 to 12 tCO2 e in 2024). Figure 7 demonstrates the events’ progression (2019-24) from red diesel to HVO.
Over the year, we have focused on how to make Goodwood events more easily accessible by public transport to reduce the number of cars arriving to site. In 2024, 82,011 customers arrived to the events on Stagecoach buses, which is a 30% increase upon the previous year’s figure. We also seek to limit the travel incurred by staff – of 3,896 temporary, casual and volunteers employed over the event period, 75% lived within a 25-mile radius of the site.
A total of 1,233 estate visitors contributed to the carbon offsetting funds we have established as part of the customer journey online, and as previously mentioned, this funded a tree planting project.
Education is also of the utmost importance, with Goodwood’s events and digital platforms providing a highly-visible way in which to impart information. The Festival of Speed continues to champion the future of mobility and automotive technology, with Electric Avenue, a curated exhibition of industryleading vehicles, launches to educate and inspire confidence in the technology, as well as educating visitors on the use of sustainable fuels. Then in
September, Goodwood Revival 2024 served as a landmark moment in motorsport history, as the entire weekend of historic racing took place exclusively using sustainable fuel. Goodwood required competitors to use a fuel which has a minimum of 70% advanced sustainable components, in accordance with the FIA’s current requirements for sustainable fuel. Serving as a drop-in fuel, no modification is required to the cars and there is no compromise on race performance. This historic moment was recognised by Motorsport UK, who awarded Goodwood Revival the Environmental Sustainability Award. Alongside this ground-breaking track action, the Revive & Thrive ‘celebration of second-hand’ at this year’s Goodwood Revival expanded again across a new larger area next to the High Street, linking the practical skillsharing of The Workshop with the Revive & Thrive Village’s programmes of fashion talks. New retail units championed pre-owned and vintage shopping, while speakers – including celebrities, experts and influencers such as Dita Von Teese, David Gandy, Bianca Foley, Virginia Bates, Scott Wimsett, Daisy Lowe and the stars and costumiers of Bridgerton – inspired more sustainable sartorial statements. Workshops in sewing, restoration, weaving, upcycling, and upholstery were led by TV’s Dominic Chinea and Micaela Sharp.
While this Revive & Thrive content has become an established part of the Revival social channels, a new Instagram channel has now launched to specifically showcase the fashion and lifestyle aspects, educating customers and inspiring creative ways to rethink, repair and re-wear time-worn clothes. In addition, independent media coverage of the Revive & Thrive content has reached an estimated 1.38 billion people, amplifying this messaging worldwide.
The team at Goodwood Racecourse, whilst also delivering a hugely successful 19 days of horseracing, began renovating areas of the site to increase energy efficiency. A total of 853 lights have been replaced with an overall wattage reduction by 68%. The team also altered the external flood lights, incurring a reduction of wattage of 37%. This year we partnered with Train Hugger which is a green ticketing platform aiming to preserve, restore and protect the British countryside. For every rail ticket purchased for travel to and from Goodwood events, £1 of the £1.50 booking fee was donated towards the estate’s sustainability and tree planting initiatives. This enabled 690 trees to be planted through this partnership in 2024, a 79% increase from 2023.
Water is a critical resource. Changing climatic conditions are affecting the availability of water, as well as our demand for water to manage our facilities and land. Today, 90% of our water provision is from our own ground water sources and we have made significant headway with the pipework repairs set out in the Water Strategy Masterplan in 2018.
Estate Operations
This year, 2km of the water network was improved across the estate, and a further 2km was replaced.
A ‘ladder’ system will prove a more resilient network – if there is a leak in the future, it will allow for a section of pipework to be isolated and repaired without disrupting the supply of water to the reservoir. In addition to reduced leakage, investment in high efficiency variable speed pumps, will reduce the carbon footprint per litre of water at the pumphouse. We have also replaced 2km of existing pipework and have extended the private network by a further kilometre, connecting the Goodwood Art Foundation site, Home Farm and the Dairy, thereby reducing our reliance on the statutory water companies.
In June, the public camping site at Newhouse Farm installed two 400kW solar panels to pump water from Newhouse Farm House all the way to the
camping fields, honouring the ‘off-grid’ integrity of the campsite whilst ensuring the operations are less carbon intensive. A further scrape was also added to reduce the effects of flooding further down the valley in East Dean. This scrape will divert water that formerly flowed down the track and road to be absorbed into a nearby field.
The Goodwood Racecourse operations team installed water-saving technologies in the Sussex and March Stands. The Sussex Stand now has 18 new selfclosing taps and 20 waterless urinals, and an upgraded water storage tank and expansion vessels in the plant room, enhancing energy efficiency and supply. In the March Stand, there are now 56 self-closing taps and 11 new waterless urinals with cistern sensors. The water system in the stand’s toilet facilities have also been upgraded and a new cold water pump set has been fitted.
Installation of Two 400kW Solar Panels at Newhouse Farm to Pump Water to the Campsite
BUSINESS
Goodwood not only generates revenue for the local economy, it works closely with its supply chain to support positive sustainability actions. Having developed and rolled-out a sustainable procurement code in 2021, Goodwood is focused on maximising local economic value and ensuring ethical and environmentally-sound provenance of goods and services. Our ambition is to embed sustainable practice and thought-processes into Goodwood’s operations and culture.
Goodwood provided support to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars during the planning process for the extension for their existing facility, including both ecology and energy plans
panels and air source heat pump fitted in residential property
313M of flint wall repaired and one section rebuilt by local specialists 27 apprenticeships across the estate
70% of all food on offer at events are locally sourced by our catering partner Levy
Goodwood Revival received the Motorsport UK Environmental Sustainability Award
Now in the third year of our Sustainability Partnership with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, we have been able to collaborate on a wide range of initiatives. Landscape scale planning between Goodwood’s Sustainability Project Manager and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is on-going, an essential part of delivering on the shared goal of preserving the estate for years to come.
In addition to the initiatives mentioned in chapter one, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars staff joined us to replant trees at Church Farm and at the new Goodwood Art Foundation site, a mix of native broadleaf species, some planted as standards in a newly planted hedge and others to complement landscaping plans. In June, we also officially opened the permissive path running from two historic villages, Halnaker and Lavant, a long-held plan we have been working on with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars coming to fruition.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Partnership
Events
Goodwood Revival received the Motorsport UK Environmental Sustainability Award at the organisation’s annual Night of Champions. The Duke of Richmond received the award on the night and stated that: “We’re incredibly proud to have played a part in promoting the wider adoption of sustainable fuels by becoming the world’s first historic motorsport event to mandate their use.”
In advance of Goodwood Revival – the ultimate immersive vintage experience – we hosted the first Goodwood Future of Vintage Summit, which brought together industry stalwarts and disruptors to discuss issues of the day and possible solutions. The day was covered by The Telegraph, Tatler, Vogue Business and MSN, revealing that more education is needed around sourcing, caring for and trusting in vintage sellers to encourage this more sustainable way of shopping.
A series of films was then produced by Goodwood Productions to that end. A second summit is planned for March 2025.
Across our events, a large proportion of produce was provided by the Goodwood Farm Shop, thereby reducing the overall food miles incurred. At Festival
of Speed alone, the Farm Shop supplied 42,900 pints of Goodwood Ale, a further 15,744 bottles Goodwood Ale, 18,700 beef burgers, 10,650 jumbo sausages, 2,100 litres of milk, 680 Levin Down cheeses and Molecomb Blue cheeses, 190kg Charlton cheese and 184 litres of cream.
Whilst our event catering partner, Levy, successfully increased the number of plant-based meals by 25%, and their locally-sourced offerings went up by 2% so that 70% of all food on offer was locally-sourced in 2024.
This year, Goodwood Racecourse collaborated with the British Horseracing Association, Great British Racing, HorsePWR and British Champion Series on content for social media channels, the event screens and the Qatar Goodwood Festival racecard to spotlight horse welfare and proper horse care. Goodwood Racecourse also partnered with small, independent, local food businesses – all within a 20-mile radius of Goodwood – supporting local entrepreneurs by providing them with a platform to reach new customers.
Goodwood has reinvested 50% of the overall property budget to improve Goodwood’s residential portfolio. We are working on a rolling management plan to improve the properties, updating them in keeping with the Goodwood style whilst also striving to improve energy efficiency. The team has ensured that all contractors used have come from a maximum distance of 25 miles. The renovation projects included six residential properties that, in addition to being restored and redecorated (with two receiving new kitchens and bathrooms), were carefully analysed for energy-efficiency, replacing halogen bulbs with LED lighting and installing draft proofing and loft insulation. An air source heat pump and eight solar panels have been installed on another of Goodwood’s residential property to replace its oil boiler, which will prove more efficient but also more affordable for the tenant to run.
Windmill, Crab Apple and Peach Tree Cottages have also been restored and are now available as holiday lets, and approximately 13 metres of flint wall restoration took place at the Pilley Green property, a final step in preparing it for a new tenancy. A further 300m of capping stones have been installed along our flint walls on New Barn Hill as part of the 100-year improvement plan delivered by local heritage tradesmen. Molecomb House is also undergoing sympathetic restoration of all 14 of its doors and 50 of its windows, complemented with roof repairs to ensure that this listed property is maintained to a high standard.
Using one of our local commercial tenants, the estate restored what used to be an old meat hanging
shed near The Kennels, which had been allowed to fall into dereliction since electric refrigerators came to the fore in the 1920s. Created by Artizans built a magnificent new rustic oak and cedar shingle roof to replace previously rotten timbers. A stark visual contrast, and yet similarly in need of restoration, Goodwood House also underwent extensive work this year. Local contractors have rebuilt one of four copper domes, hand-cutting 72 pieces of wood to replicate exactly the existing wooden beam structures. The remaining domes will be tackled over the next two years.
Meanwhile, the Goodwood Motor Circuit restored 11 original Crittall windows and five Crittall glass doors in the Old Control Tower, a historic building overlooking the track. This was done by carefully removing them all, taking them away to be shotblasted back to the original metal and carefully re-painting them all. The Motor Circuit also welcomed the Tyrrell Shed, the former home of Ken Tyrrell's world championship-winning Formula 1 team, saving it from demolition earlier this year. The shed stood in its former home in Ockham, Surrey, for more than 70 years, but after a period of sensitive restoration, it has now been relocated to Hurricane Lawn. Restoration workers were tasked with retaining as much originality as possible, right down to the stickers on the walls. The official re-opening at the 2024 Goodwood Revival saw motorsport legends celebrate with The Duke of Richmond & Gordon, with guests feeling as though they had ‘stepped back in time’ to witness Tyrrell’s working life.
Estate Operations
Windmill Cottage Holiday Let Renovation
A real first for the Goodwood Estate, the Estate Sales team introduced tree climbing to its corporate offering, an activity designed to enrich wellbeing and encourage teamwork in the great outdoors.
An expert team carefully install the necessary equipment into our woodlands, allowing us to diversify the business, increase the value of our standing trees, and encourage enjoyment of the natural environment and the associated mindfulness such an activity inspires.
At Home Farm, a mechanical slurry separator has been installed to separate cow waste into solids and liquids, allowing us to store more manure and therefore spread it during growing season, reducing nitrate and phosphate leaching. Additionally, we can target nutrition to areas of land especially lacking in fertility with this more targeted approach. 2024 was also the year Home Farm introduced a new robotic dairy system. Thus far, building work on the extension has been completed, new cable and water pipes have been connected to the in-house system, and the aforementioned robotic sweepers are now in use. Work on this project will complete in 2025, to include the building of a viewing platform so that the Goodwood Education Trust can offer a new experience as part of their farm visits.
Apprenticeships
Once again, the Goodwood Estate supported Bishop Luffa’s apprenticeship scheme, hosting 27 students in a variety of roles, including hosting, catering, marshalling, stewarding, noise management and mechanical work on both Classic Land Rovers and historic race cars, and some students were even lucky enough to get a passenger ride up the Goodwood Hillclimb at Festival of Speed. The estate has also welcomed approximately 45 work experience students this year from a range of institutions, including Chichester College, Chichester University and Havant and South Downs College.
£66,656 worth of event tickets donated to charity
SOCIAL
Goodwood plays a vital role in the West Sussex community and our impact is also felt further afield. It remains a priority for us to be able to provide access to events and facilities to a diverse range of groups whilst also being a supportive client to local businesses and services. We carefully manage the impact of our yearly events; neighbours and tenants are continually engaged in the delivery plans where events may adversely impact their lives. It is estimated that one million people visit the estate annually, for the major festivals as well as weekly events and recreational pursuits, generating a significant economic impact on the local area. As Goodwood’s audience continues to grow, so does our responsibility to those communities we reach and the ability to make a positive social impact. Our staff’s welfare is also of the utmost importance, and we are always looking at ways to enrich employees’ working lives.
£666,777 raised for charity
235 children attended Festival of Speed STEM sessions 1 permissive path opened
Goodwood DEI network partnered with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme
Founded by the 10th Duke of Richmond in 1976, the Goodwood Education Trust has provided outdoor learning opportunities to children and young people for almost 50 years. It is an independent Charitable Incorporated Organisation (registered with the Charity Commission 1198212), inspiring a love of outdoor learning and nature with children and young people. The team offers children and young people a range of workshops, engagement activities and practical hands-on experiences. Drawing on the unique woodland and farm here at Goodwood, the three priorities are:
– Farm visits for schools, including free visits for disadvantaged schools.
– Woodland learning, including weekly Forest School for vulnerable students such as those in Alternative Provision or Special School.
– Woodland activities for children in the community – particularly for those from low income families - including partnerships with local charities and ‘forest adventures’ during the school holidays.
The Goodwood Education Trust’s premises sit in Seeley Copse, an 8-hectare remnant of semiancient woodland devoted entirely to education. The purpose-built, accessible Education Centre is the most sustainable building on the estate, and activities also take place in the woodland and at Home Farm.
The team welcomes schools from across West Sussex and East Hampshire, including Portsmouth and Gosport. Weekly Forest School and the children’s community programme serve those geographically
Goodwood Education Trust
Farm Visits
Children from primary and secondary schools spend time at Home Farm to learn about where their food comes from, to make the connection between what we grow and what they eat, and to understand the benefits of farming in a sustainable way. Schools from underserved areas are offered a free class trip, with subsidies for coach travel available, as this is a significant barrier to outdoor learning experiences. Farm visits are CEVAS accredited (Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme) and staff are accredited by the leading agri-education organisation, LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming).
In 2024, 1959 children visited Home Farm for an educational experience. Over 20% of the pupils were eligible for Free School Meals and 17% had Special Educational Needs. Of the 1959 children, 949 children came on a free trip from schools in disadvantaged areas, 32% of whom were eligible for Free School Meals and 28% had Special Educational Needs. For comparison, the eligibility for Free School Meals in West Sussex is 15.2%, while across Hampshire it is 18.4%, so it shows the initiative is really reaching the children for whom this will make the biggest difference. 299 children also benefitted from supported coach travel.
The Goodwood Education Trust partnered with the South Downs National Park to deliver farm visits as part of their Discover the Downs initiative, as part of a wider national programme ‘Generation Green 2’, connecting underserved communities with nature. The Pupil Premium quota is higher than 30% in the groups we welcomed via the scheme. One teacher said: “Thank you so much for such a wonderful day today! I think it was the best yet, and I've come to the farm four or five years on the trot now! The children absolutely loved it and you all went above and beyond to ensure this happened. What you provided today is such a valuable experience for our children, their learning and development, and of course, their memories. We will be back next year.”
The team also delivered the first ever West Sussex #FarmMyFood event, working in partnership with LEAF Education to create a curriculum-linked event, bringing to life job opportunities in food and farming for students. Over 150 local secondary school students studying GCSE Business Studies or Food Preparation and Nutrition spent the day at Home Farm, meeting the staff who ‘put the food on our table’.
Woodland Learning
In addition to the known benefits of time outside in nature in relation to mental health and wellbeing, as well as increasing socialisation and skills of co-operation, Forest School is a powerful practice for students, offering autonomy and agency over their choices, nurturing new connections, working with adults beyond school or family, and having the freedom to try new things without the usual fear of failure.
The Goodwood Education Trust is a Forest School Association provider, recognised nationally for highquality practice. Primary and secondary schools attend weekly sessions, bringing children to the woods as part of their curriculum. These include the local Special School, the local unit of the statutory Alternative Provision College (for primary children excluded from mainstream schooling) and three secondary school students with particular needs, including those for whom English is an
additional language, those who have experienced trauma and those who struggle with anxiety and school attendance. The groups are necessarily small with high staffing needs, and require exclusive use of an outdoor learning space to create a sense of safety, security, and familiarity. In 2024, 155 sessions were delivered. The 2025 sessions are already fully booked, with a waiting list of further keen participants. One teacher said: “Goodwood provides a space for our more vulnerable secondary school students, many of whom do not have much in the way of positive ‘space to just be’, in their lives. The idea of free play, interaction and activity in the outdoors is clearly very unusual for some pupils, and it is interesting to see how it takes them a couple of weeks to know what to do with themselves in this environment. One boy came expecting Forest School to be ‘sitting, writing about trees and stuff’ – he couldn’t believe he was allowed to spend hours playing in the mud kitchen, making delicious soups and pies, and getting muddy.”
For the second year, the Goodwood Education Trust was a provider for the HAF programme (Holiday, Activity and Food) for children eligible for Free School Meals to enjoy holiday activities and a cooked lunch. The places allocated were increased by 40% versus 2023; all were booked. West Sussex County Council said:
“We were delighted to have the Goodwood Education Trust in the programme again this year, increasing their provision to meet demand from families. Their Forest Adventures offer an enriching outdoor learning experience in beautiful woodland, and on our visit, we were thrilled to see the children exploring nature and making new friends.”
Family Fun Days (also known as Short Breaks) were also delivered throughout the year for the charity Aspens, for children with autism and their families. Aspens said: “We are really grateful for this partnership. The team have been great in facilitating our vision and supporting us to deliver
our family sessions.” In addition, free woodland activity days were offered to children with a variety of needs in collaboration with local organisations, including charities supporting children living with a life-limiting or terminal condition; the local children’s hospice; charities supporting children with Type 1 Diabetes and a charity supporting local refugee families.
The Goodwood Education Trust also ventured into the motorsport side of the business in 2024, to welcome various educational visits to Goodwood Motor Circuit, including Selsey Academy – a local provision for children with additional educational needs and from low-income families – and Chichester College. At Festival of Speed, 14 schools – including one Special School and one Alternative Provision setting – brought 235 students with an interest in product design to enjoy access to the event and a programme of STEM seminars.
Children in the Community
Estate Fundraising
Goodwood is delighted to announce the extraordinary totals raised for charity throughout 2024, a testament to the generosity of our visitors, participants, and partners. A combined total of £666,777 was raised for a diverse group of causes, each making a profound difference to lives both locally and globally.
As the Estate Charity Partner for 2023-2024, Dementia Support, Sage House volunteers collected a fantastic £33,150 in 2023 and £53,499 in 2024, with an additional £104,426 raised at events hosted by the charity at the Goodwood Estate. These sums will go a long way to further enhance the groundbreaking services offered for local people living with dementia and their families.
In addition to this estate-wide partnership, each flagship event also partnered with a unique charity, amplifying their vital work:
– Goodwoof presented by MARS Petcare supported Jai Dog Rescue, raising £37,316 to aid street dogs in Thailand through rescue, care, and neutering programmes.
– Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard partnered with Two Wheels for Life, raising an impressive £93,056 to fund motorcycle-driven healthcare delivery in rural Africa.
– Goodwood Revival collaborated with St Wilfrid’s Hospice, raising £65,247 to help provide vital care for people in the local community with life-limiting or terminal illnesses, supporting them and their loved ones through the most difficult times. The charity’s network of charity shops also joined forces with
the Goodwood Revival digital team to encourage Goodwood’s audience to buy second-hand outfits, and enjoyed a pop-up vintage stall on event.
– The Markel Magnolia Cup at the Qatar Goodwood Festival – raced by a group of women with no previous training – championed My Sisters’ House, with a staggering £313,233 raised to support women in improving their welfare and wellbeing, helping to reduce their risk of domestic abuse, and enabling them to reach their goals for recovery, employment, education, or training across West Sussex. Avril Robinson, Acting CEO at My Sisters’ House, said: “Being the chosen charity for the Markel Magnolia Cup has been one of the most significant opportunities for My Sisters’ House since its inception ten years ago. The funds raised will enable us to continue our excellent work in providing freeof-charge, life-changing services to women. It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside the Goodwood and Markel teams, and, importantly, be inspired by the all-female line up of jockeys who have all demonstrated the grit to train and take part in such a prestigious event. They are role models for women everywhere – turning aspira-tions into realities.” As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the local community, we have also donated over £66,656 worth of Goodwood event tickets to local charities, schools, and community projects. These tickets help to raise vital funds as well as providing unforgettable experiences for people across our region.
The Markel Magnolia Cup at the Qatar Goodwood Festival
Wheels for Life £93,056 My Sister’s House £313,233
St Wilfrid’s Hospice £65,247 Total Raised £666,777
Festival of Speed Presented by Mastercard Partnered with the Charity, Two Wheels for Life
Community Projects
This is the third year we have offered the Rob Wildeboer scholarships at the Goodwood Aerodrome. This year we offered 30 hours of training to nine students in our Cessna, four trial lessons, two skills tests, and a flight bag full of training equipment donated by donated by Pooleys.
We also hosted The Culinary Academy Apprenticeship Dinner at The Kennels in February, where our talented young chefs of tomorrow, under the careful direction of Goodwood’s Executive Chef, Mike Watts prepared a delicious three-course dinner for friends, family, and guests to showcase their skills.
At the end of June, Goodwood’s CEO and the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars community liaison officer officially opened the permissive path running from Halnaker to Lavant, a path bordered by approximately 65,000 trees, as mentioned in the natural capital chapter. The path now links two historic villages and three existing public rights of way, providing a safe passage for visitors and residents to move between the local villages and around the estate, avoiding the need to walk on any dangerous roads. It links the wildlife corridor heading north from Chichester Harbour, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, to the South Downs National Park. Public right of ways around the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars factory have also been repaved and are now fully accessible.
Search Dogs Sussex are a charity who provide nationally qualified volunteer service with search and rescue dog teams. They have used Charlton Forest, in the north of the estate which is currently leased to the Forestry Commission, as their regular training grounds for many years and this year, held their Lowland Rescue National Assessment event on site.
Archaeology and heritage projects
With support and guidance from the South Downs National Park, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and local archaeologist, James Kenny, Goodwood was able to film a short series of informational films showcasing the historic significance of the Trundle, the Iron-Age hillfort positioned on St. Roche’s Hill. These clips are available to the public via QR codes located on plaques at the entrances and on top of the hill itself. In further preserving the rich heritage of our local area, Goodwood has also collaborated with the Crumblies, a group of retired conservationists. This year, they worked on laying hedges at Home Farm, where their work will be appreciated for many years to come.
There has also been an exciting archaeological discovery in 2024: during the construction of a second slurry lagoon, our lead archaeologist discovered Roman pottery remains. The most significant find was a Roman cremation burial in a shallow cut, which contained five pots and an iron object, possibly a lamp holder. In the area around the cremation site were other shards of pottery, evidence of burning and several Roman shoe nails. These fragmentary traces probably represent the remains of other cremations that have been impacted by the plough and the deeper subsoiling associated with marling.
Roman Pottery Remains Discovered at Goodwood Dairy Site
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Everyone at Goodwood is encouraged to join one of three employee-driven DEI networks; Marginalised Communities, Teams and Recruitment, and Accessibility. These groups and their leaders are a core part of our culture, helping to plan and deliver against our DEI goals for both customers and staff. They work with external experts to select the right training, safeguarding protocols, and accessible accommodations, commissioning regular auditing of our events and venues, and identifying areas for growth. We are proud to work with the following organisations: Everyday Racism, Hidden Disability Sunflower, Racing Pride, Race 4 Diversity, Girls on Track, Team Brit, Mission Motorsport, Racing Welfare, Racing to School, Women in Racing, Riding a Dream and Harvest UK, using our platform to amplify the work of others, ensuring Goodwood remains a welcoming and inclusive place for all.
The groups’ 2024 projects included the commission of four audits; a new estate map to show all accessible areas across the 365 businesses; the development of a bespoke safeguarding protocol and reporting system for staff and visitors; new unconscious bias training; the expansion of vacancy advertising to better reach under-represented groups, and the introduction of internal British Sign Language training.
In 2024, we saw the launch of Driving Force at Festival of Speed, working with Motorsport UK and an array of other organisations and charities to create opportunities for and amplify the voices of women and marginalised groups in the sport. At Goodwood Revival, the #VintageStyleNotVintageValues conversations gathered pace with special guests, Dita Von Teese and Dandy Wellington. Elsewhere at Goodwood Racecourse, the team behind the Markel Magnolia Cup charity race (held during Qatar Goodwood Festival) supported Aamilah Aswat in training and competing for the race, as a member of the Riding a Dream Academy. This organisation was set up after Khadijah Mellah’s 2019 Markel Magnolia Cup victory to support other young people from marginalised and underrepresented communities access training in horse racing. Goodwood Racecourse will continue offering a student of the Academy a place in the race in 2025 and supporting their journey to the start line. Goodwood Racecourse also partnered with various local pride groups for their Three Friday Night race meetings.
One Goodwood’s Wellbeing Programme continues to support our staff with their mental and physical health. As well as fitness classes, the programme offers expert advice on gut health, sleep hygiene and stress resilience. Classes have included boxercise, burn 500, sound bathing, yoga, spin: the movies, dance parties and seasonal walks. Throughout the year, One Goodwood welcomed 1,046 members of staff to a programme of four fitness classes, with Yoga being the most popular. Masterclasses in a range of skills – from goat yoga and line dancing to tai chi –were also introduced, with spoon carving coming out on top with a 94% attendance rate.
One Goodwood has created a group of Mental Health First Aiders, members of staff who have been trained specifically to help support Goodwood colleagues with any issues that they might face, whether that be related to work or to home life.
A further social initiative – ‘Goodwood Connected' – continued to offer a regular curated networking event for Goodwood Staff to get to know one another.
Staff Welfare
2,285 tyres repurposed for landscaping projects
RESOURCES AND WASTE
In our day-to-day operations and during events, it is crucial for us to track the destination of our waste after it leaves the site. This helps us gain insights into reducing overall waste levels. We are therefore collaborating closely with our waste contractors and implementing proactive measures to promote recycling and reuse of materials. Enhanced transparency regarding this lifecycle will inform our procurement and disposal choices, ultimately adding value to materials. Additionally, whenever feasible, we donate waste products to the local community if they can benefit a particular group or individual.
All segregated food waste sent to offsite anaerobic digestion
200 tree guards donated to Chichester District Council for reuse
1,000 straw bales from Festival of Speed spread on the land
Recycled 10 laptops and 21 computers, saving approximately 12 t CO 2
On Estate
Goodwood is committed to recycling IT equipment throughout the year, and in 2024 collaborating with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment scheme saved a total of 12 tonnes of CO2
We have also examined how to manage food waste from its various businesses. While anything that is still safe to consume is donated to Harvest UK, 100% of unusable food waste is now converted into energy via anaerobic digestion. There is also a new haggis product available at Goodwood which uses up offal from the current meat cuts in the butchery. In addition, a seasonal special boar – previously only sold at market – is now being sold in-house at the Goodwood Farm Shop, thereby reducing the distance travelled.
Meanwhile, across the road at Home Farm, the team has reused chalk that was excavated for water works earlier in the year to create cattle tracks, so that no additional materials need be imported or transported in, thereby reducing the carbon footprint, and protecting the local water quality, too.
Over at Goodwood Motor Circuit, repairs have been made to the tyre wall around the track in 2024, reusing old scrap tyres from local garages. The tyres removed from the track wall (along with all used BMW track tyres) are shredded to form a special bark by Twyford Recycling, which is then used in a variety of landscape projects – including horse yards – across the country. This year alone, 2,285 tyres have been repurposed and reused, rather than being sent to landfill.
Extending the lifecycle of the plastic tree guards we used in some past planting projects such as the woodland creation project in 2019 has been a special concern of the Forestry team. Working in collaboration with our waste contractor Veolia, we have collected in over 500 tree guards this year to be collected and recycled to create smaller generalist bird boxes in the New Year. Another 200 tree guards were donated to Chichester District Council to be reused.
On a much larger scale, Goodwood’s flagship events produce a significant amount of natural waste, so managing the site after the events is a vital part of the operational planning. Around 5,800 straw bales were used as fuel for the biomass energy facility after Festival of Speed this year. A further 1,000 that could not be processed by the biomass, were instead spread across the land. As were 5,000 tonnes of ash generated by the biomass boiler, which will enrich the soil of the farmland. Reclaimed wood from the event was used to make a staff welfare area, too, and plants used as set dress and in hospitality spaces at Qatar Goodwood Festival were sold to staff for charity, ensuring they are reused and given a long-lasting home. Finally, wood used at Members’ Meeting, Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival was taken to be reused at a local school, saving valuable school budget by keeping them in supply throughout the year. We intend to roll this out to more schools in 2025.
Tyres Used in Tyre Wall Around the Motor Circuit Track Repurposed for Landscaping Projects
True to the estate’s Revive & Thrive ethos, staff at Goodwood facilitated the reuse of unwanted items in an exchange from one department to another via an internal listing system so that nothing was wasted. 100% of items listed were repurposed in other areas of the estate, from office cabinets and folders to books and vintage outfits to wear to Goodwood Revival. Whilst second-hand shopping was the order of the day when renovating Crab Apple and Pear Tree Cottages – approximately 75% of the furniture and furnishings in the cottage were re-purposed or antique, obtained from a variety of sources, including auctions and antiques dealers. Anything that had to be purchased new was carefully selected with purpose, quality, and longevity in mind.
At Goodwood Revival, Save Your Wardrobe –winners of the LVMH Innovation in Fashion Award –hosted a pop-up shop, providing on-the-spot repairs and a booking service for more in-depth alterations and restoration, encouraging people to prolong the lives of their clothes and accessories. Next door, the programme of sewing workshops taught key repair skills and repurposed a variety of scrap fabrics –including threads and lace taken from the sewing kits of The Duke of Richmond & Gordon’s mother, the late Duchess Susan. Great British Sewing Bee’s Annie Phillips invited visitors to help her to create a community quilt of reclaimed fabrics – featuring the Sashiko technique of visible mending – which was then donated to OXFAM. We also welcomed Patrick Grant, the author of ‘Less’, and the costume team from Netflix’s Bridgerton to discuss ways in which they work in their respective fields to limit waste and reduce consumption overall.
2025 AND BEYOND
Goodwood has already established a series of new projects for 2025, driven by our overarching sustainability strategy. We are delighted to share a taster of what is to come over the next 12 months:
During the first quarter of the year, the dairy will introduce a new robotic dairy system designed to improve efficiencies and animal welfare, to include the installation of photovoltaics on the roof to generate renewable energy.
The South Lodge entrance will be sympathetically restored in 2025, in keeping with the estate’s existing flint walls and stone pillars.
The Home Farm and Forestry teams have been working closely together to create a planting scheme of 6m wide hedges, just south of the Trundle. This mixed species hedgerow will act as a wildlife corridor, joining West Dean with the west side of Goodwood.
This will also see two large fields become a set of smaller fields, providing the farm with a more efficient grazing system and protection to the livestock from the elements.
A new meat counter will be installed in January to reduce plastic packaging by 70%. There will also be
the option to ask for bespoke cuts, which will reduce overall waste .
In 2023, the estate with support from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, commissioned a trial sacrificial layer of chalk to be installed on the Trundle’s ramparts due to severe degradation and erosion caused by both extreme weather and heavy footfall, particularly during the lockdown period. After a year of monitoring the wear and tear of this test patch, Historic England approved this method as a solution. We will therefore, be rolling out a phased restoration project over the coming years.
The theme for the third Goodwood Gut Health Summit in 2025 will be soil health, exploring how this impacts the food chain and in turn, the gut microbiome and public health. The content will be live-streamed around the world by Goodwood Productions, amplifying clinical research and expert commentary on the subject.
