HF Holidays makes carbon measurement part of ‘product-to-market’ process

Carbon measurement has been completed in partnership with consultancy ecollective, which has been working with HF Holidays to advise the operator on how to improve how it monitors its carbon footprint.

It is based on the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by each guest’s travels, calculated as the carbon footprint for the average group size of an HF trip.

The measure includes emissions from accommodation, transport, activities, meals and staff activities, as well as any flights or rail travel from the UK if they are included as part of the trip. Flight emission information is based on data released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with the assumption of direct flights unless stated otherwise.

But Harrington stressed: “There is significant scientific uncertainty around the magnitude of the indirect effect of non-CO2 aviation emissions and is an active area of research.”

The operator said the average carbon footprint per person on an HF Holidays trip is equivalent to 180kg of emissions, a reduction of 11kg in the past 12 months. It has also converted to renewable energy across its estate of 16 owned and managed country houses in the UK, a saving of 113,000kg of carbon dioxide equivalent a year.

HF Holidays’ said its goal was to “reduce the carbon intensity of our product by 5% each year to become net zero by 2040 – earlier if we can”.

Next steps include a 50% reduction in waste and 50% increase in recycling before the start of next year, growing its range of Rail Adventures and range of transport options by rail, and trialling digital menus at its houses.

It has also committed to ongoing training for employees, working with food, beverage, linen and waste suppliers who demonstrate a commitment to net zero, and including carbon dioxide equivalent measurements on video, email and social media communications.