Protecting and restoring our planet
The climate and nature crisis is the challenge of our lifetime.
Sustainability has been at the core of our way of thinking for decades. As stewards of over 130,000 acres of land, the Duchy has an amazing breadth of habitats, from Dartmoor to the glacial ponds in Herefordshire.
Through our recovery, protection and rewilding work we support a thriving planet to protect the future of our people and communities. Building a better future is only possible together, through our environmental initiatives we empower our tenants and wider communities to be a part of our journey to net zero.
Just as The Earthshot Prize seeks to repair the planet, the Duchy must further increase its ambition to improve the estate for future generations and protect and restore our environment.
Through our recovery, protection and rewilding work we support a thriving planet to protect the future of our people and communities. Building a better future is only possible together, through our environmental initiatives we empower our tenants and wider communities to be a part of our journey to net zero.
Just as The Earthshot Prize seeks to repair the planet, the Duchy must further increase its ambition to improve the estate for future generations and protect and restore our environment.
Building sustainable communities
The communities we build are designed to be exemplary and highly sustainable, set in beautiful and accessible natural environments, where local wildlife and habitat are greatly enhanced for the community to enjoy.
We pride ourselves on good design, quality materials and local sourcing to reduce the amount of carbon released during the construction and life of our communities.
The approach to sustainability in our communities such as Nansledan is truly holistic, enabling low carbon lifestyles through the provision of energy efficient, low carbon housing (with natural local materials and increasing levels of renewable energy), workspaces, local shops, infrastructure and community facilities within walkable neighbourhoods; all set within a diverse and active environment which greatly enhances local biodiversity, amenity and local production of food with edible streets, allotments and orchards.
We pride ourselves on good design, quality materials and local sourcing to reduce the amount of carbon released during the construction and life of our communities.
The approach to sustainability in our communities such as Nansledan is truly holistic, enabling low carbon lifestyles through the provision of energy efficient, low carbon housing (with natural local materials and increasing levels of renewable energy), workspaces, local shops, infrastructure and community facilities within walkable neighbourhoods; all set within a diverse and active environment which greatly enhances local biodiversity, amenity and local production of food with edible streets, allotments and orchards.
"For the people who live and work in and around the land and property the Duchy owns, we want them to feel the benefits of a transition to a net zero and nature rich estate. By doing this, we will secure a positive future for this generation, and those who follow" - David Cope, Head of Sustainability
A positive Future for Farming
The Duchy rural estate is home to many farmers and farm businesses. The Duchy also has an amazing breadth of habitats, from the high moor of Dartmoor to the glacial ponds in Herefordshire.
Our shared goal is the sustainable management of land that provides integrated outcomes for agriculture, nature, climate and rural communities.
Our Future Farming team work closely with farmers and growers to deliver our ambitious goals together, and at scale. We seek to produce high quality agricultural products from farming systems that regenerate soils; we aim to protect and restore special habitats, and empower Duchy farmers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on their journey to net zero carbon.
We have seven Focus Farms across the estate who play an important role in pioneering new technologies and sharing their learnings as a blueprint for sustainable agriculture in the UK.
We have an expert team including ecologists, land agents and soil specialists who work alongside our farm tenants who manage the land, to identify where opportunities exist and provide practical support to enable effective and ambitious delivery.
Find out more about what the team have been up to.
Our shared goal is the sustainable management of land that provides integrated outcomes for agriculture, nature, climate and rural communities.
Our Future Farming team work closely with farmers and growers to deliver our ambitious goals together, and at scale. We seek to produce high quality agricultural products from farming systems that regenerate soils; we aim to protect and restore special habitats, and empower Duchy farmers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on their journey to net zero carbon.
We have seven Focus Farms across the estate who play an important role in pioneering new technologies and sharing their learnings as a blueprint for sustainable agriculture in the UK.
We have an expert team including ecologists, land agents and soil specialists who work alongside our farm tenants who manage the land, to identify where opportunities exist and provide practical support to enable effective and ambitious delivery.
Find out more about what the team have been up to.
Protecting marine ecology
The Duchy of Cornwall's marine estate includes foreshore around much of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The Estate also includes a number of estuaries including the Dart, Salcombe and Kingsbridge, Avon, Tamar, Looe, Helford and Camel where rivers meet the sea.
Our foreshore and seabed are amongst the most ecologically diverse parts of the Duchy, with much of it heavily designated and protected. The Duchy is working closely with partners on innovative solutions to enhance these locations such as the installation of Living Walls.
Our foreshore and seabed are amongst the most ecologically diverse parts of the Duchy, with much of it heavily designated and protected. The Duchy is working closely with partners on innovative solutions to enhance these locations such as the installation of Living Walls.
Regenerating woodlands
The Duchy manages over 4,000 acres of woodland, including 2,200 acres in Cornwall and 1,480 acres in Herefordshire. Timber harvested from the woodlands is often used on the wider Duchy estate, from beams at the regenerated Harewood End estate in Herefordshire to logs at the Duchy Holiday Cottages.
One of our most unique pieces of woodland is Wistman’s Wood, an ancient oak woodland which covers over seven acres of the West Dart Valley on Dartmoor, Devon. It is a National Nature Reserve (NNR), a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in recognition of its significance for nature conservation.
The Duchy has revealed plans to regenerate and expand the woodland, doubling its size by 2040..
One of our most unique pieces of woodland is Wistman’s Wood, an ancient oak woodland which covers over seven acres of the West Dart Valley on Dartmoor, Devon. It is a National Nature Reserve (NNR), a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in recognition of its significance for nature conservation.
The Duchy has revealed plans to regenerate and expand the woodland, doubling its size by 2040..
Access to nature
Nature is extremely beneficial for our mental wellbeing. The Duchy works closely with local forest schools, where outdoor learning is prioritised to enhance children’s physical and mental wellbeing. In 2023, The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall visited Madley Primary School, a Forest School in Hereford which the Duchy has partnered with for over 12 years.
The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall visited a school in Hereford to learn more about their forest school.
Wistman's Wood on Dartmoor