Ascot’s emissions reporting & decarbonisation analysis
Ascot, one of the UK’s most iconic sporting venues, has placed sustainability at the heart of its long-term vision. As a signatory of the United Nations’ Sports for Climate Action Framework, the organisation has committed to halving its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieving Net Zero by 2040. Achieving these ambitions required robust carbon measurement, evidence-based decision-making and a clear decarbonisation roadmap.
This project was originally delivered by Carbon Responsible, now part of Simply Sustainable. Since 2021, our team has partnered with Ascot to support its sustainability journey, beginning with Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions measurement before expanding into event-specific carbon analysis and a comprehensive decarbonisation strategy. This case study explores how data-driven analysis and strategic recommendations have helped shape Ascot’s pathway towards its ambitious climate targets.
Impacts and benefits
- Long-term decarbonisation roadmap: Building on emissions measurement work that began in 2021, the decarbonisation analysis provided Ascot with a strategic roadmap to halve emissions by 2030, against a 2022 baseline, and achieve Net Zero by 2040, aligned with its commitments under the United Nations’ Sports for Climate Action Framework.
- Data-driven decision making: Several decarbonisation scenarios were modelled, illustrating the projected impact of different emissions reduction measures through to 2030. For each scenario, Ascot received clear projections showing expected emissions alongside the trajectory required to achieve its short-term Net Zero target.
- Demonstrating low-emissions event delivery: Analysis of Ascot’s sustainability initiatives demonstrated measurable reductions in emissions. The Neutro Restaurant achieved a 55% reduction in emissions compared with a generic restaurant of the same energy requirements, while the Net Zero Village achieved emissions approximately 30% lower than a comparable village when customer travel was included, and around 50% lower when customer travel emissions were excluded.
- Ongoing partnership: The project continues to support Ascot through annual emissions measurement, corporate sustainability reporting, Net Zero roadmap development and strategic decision-making, helping the organisation monitor progress against its long-term sustainability ambitions.
Sustainability is a key focus for us at Ascot and we have made great progress to reduce our carbon footprint in the past few years, including the launch of our Net Zero Village Enclosure for the first time in 2023.Jonathan Parker Managing Director of 1711 by Ascot
The story
Simply Sustainable (formerly Carbon Responsible) began supporting Ascot in 2021 by calculating its carbon footprint for 2019 and 2020, including bespoke Scope 3 emissions sources such as racegoers travel, catering freight and horse freight.
In 2022, the partnership expanded to support the decarbonisation of Royal Ascot events. Hosting approximately 20,000 racegoers across three days, the programme initially focused on the Neutro Restaurant before evolving into the Net Zero Village in 2023. As Ascot’s carbon accounting partner, the team monitored and measured bespoke emissions metrics across the eventing season, encompassing jumps, flats and flagship meetings.
As part of the 2022 Royal Ascot event, Ascot launched the low-emissions Neutro Restaurant. Carbon Responsible calculated the emissions associated with operating the restaurant and compared them with those of a generic restaurant with equivalent energy requirements. The analysis demonstrated a 55% reduction in emissions, supported by measures including:
- Locally sourced and plant-based menu
- Upcycled materials used in the build and furniture
- Smart Flower installed to capture solar energy
- HVO (hydrogenated vegetable oil) generators replacing fuel consumption
Building on this success, Ascot expanded its low-emissions operations in 2023 through the Net Zero Village, incorporating multiple catering and entertainment facilities. The emissions analysis showed the Net Zero Village generated approximately 30% lower emissions than a comparable village when customer travel emissions were included, and around 50% lower when customer travel emissions were excluded. Measures implemented included:
- Battery storage to take the Village off grid
- Recyclable and compostable packaging and cutlery
- Second-hand marquees, chairs and tables
- Local recruitment and encouragement of public transport and cycling
- An old van reconditioned with electric ovens as a pizza truck
- 50% plant-based food and locally sourced drinks
Following these projects, Ascot commissioned a full decarbonisation analysis to support strategic decision-making. Several emissions reduction scenarios were developed to demonstrate the projected impact of different interventions through to 2030 and guide the organisation’s Net Zero roadmap. For each scenario, projected emissions were compared with the trajectory required to achieve Ascot’s target of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 from a 2022 baseline.
Outcome
Ascot now has a data-led decarbonisation roadmap to support its ambition of halving emissions by 2030 and achieving Net Zero by 2040. The analysis provides a structured basis for prioritising emissions reduction initiatives and monitoring progress against long-term targets.
Simply Sustainable continues to support Ascot through ongoing emissions measurement, corporate sustainability reporting, Net Zero roadmap development and strategic decision-making, including board presentation materials to support investment in sustainability initiatives, such as solar power generation for the main grandstand, alongside annual emissions reporting and target monitoring.
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