Environmental Sustainability

OUR COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY

Our mission is to act for the long-term good of British horseracing but we also have a responsibility to our customers and beyond and are determined to have a positive impact on the world around us. In 2012 we launched the Going Green programme to engage our colleagues and get their help with improving the environmental impact of our business.

We set ambitious targets for both energy and waste:

We have reduced our mainline energy consumption by around 40% since 2012
We stopped sending any waste to landfill in 2018
Signed up to UN Sport for Climate Action which includes a commitment to Net Zero of 2040
Electric car charge points have been installed at many of our racecourses since 2012 with new ones in during 2024 at Epsom Downs, Newmarket, Cheltenham, Exeter and Haydock Park, all JC racecourses will have charging stations by the end of 2025
The catering teams across all Jockey Club Racecourses, have been separating food waste for 10 years.

Through the work of our Green Champions, we continue to find new ways to reduce our energy

consumption and improve our recycling figures. Our catering teams have made great strides in reducing the carbon associated with the food and drink that we serve with a focus on local and seasonal produce which includes a ban on any airfreighted ingredients.

CUTTING OUR CARBON EMISSIONS AND INVESTING IN RENEWABLES

Through our pledge to the United Nations Sport for Climate Action, we are committed to reducing our emissions by 50% by 2030 and Net Zero by 2040. We are working hard with our colleagues to significantly reduce our emissions as well as improving the biodiversity across our racecourses and training grounds.

We not only want to reduce the energy we use but ensure that the energy we do use comes from clean and sustainable sources. In 2017 our solar panels at Exeter produced enough electricity to power 15 homes for a year. And was just the start! We have since installed further solar at Newmarket, Cheltenham and Haydock Park racecourses and at the National Stud.

We won’t stop here. There are lots of exciting plans in the pipeline and we will continue to make sure we continue to cut our impact.

“Sustainability remains at the core of The Jockey Club’s ethos of looking forward and safeguarding the future of horseracing and our venues. We are excited to be striving for Net Zero.”

- Nevin Truesdale, Group Chief Executive

What are our Greener Racedays?

What are Greener Racedays?

It is our vision at The Jockey Club to continue as a leader in sustainability in horse racing and across the sports sector, constantly reviewing the effect we have on the environment and identifying opportunities to minimise any negative impact.

How can I get involved as a racegoer?

Think about how you're travelling to the racecourse, can you car share or use public transport?
Download your ticket to your phone and save paper. Even better, download our app and enhance your day at the races
There’s water stations at most of our racecourses. Bring a re-useable water bottle so you won’t need to use a single-use one
Help us to recycle by checking which bin to use or returning bottles and cups to the bar so that we can put them in the right bin for you

Carbon Operations

The Jockey Club is committed to reducing carbon in its operations

As a signatory of the United Nations Sport for Climate Action Framework, Net Zero by 2040 is the long-term target. As part of this commitment, we are:

1. Reducing mainline energy consumption.
2. Purchasing electricity from certified renewable sources.
3. Increasing the amount of renewable electricity generated on site.
4. Reducing the volume of general waste.
5. Eliminating unnecessary single-use plastic.
6. Supporting sustainable travel.
7. Encouraging biodiversity and boosting the natural environment across our sites.
8. Reducing reliance on mains water where Equine Welfare allows.
9. Seeking out innovations to support the sustainability agenda.
10. Encouraging customers to act sustainably.

All our commitments are underpinned by engaging our employees to act sustainably and in order to support each of the commitments, specific policies and targets have been agreed and set. The detail of which is available on request.