Sustainability is core to Dartington. We view sustainability as transforming the way we live and work and as a touchstone for inspiration and creativity in everything we do. The wellbeing of the local economy and society, of broader humanity and of the abundance of life is central to the Dartington experiment and in this sense we have always been focused on sustainability.
LoveCarbon is the Sustainability Strategy for Dartington. It draws together and supplements current initiatives to bed in principles of social, economic and environmental sustainability across the operations and projects of Dartington. To assist in the process and to demonstrate leadership, the Trust has set a number of basic aspirations including:
If everyone in the world consumed and wasted energy, produce and materials at levels experienced at Dartington – levels typical of the UK as a whole – we would require 3 planets. LoveCarbon aims to achieve ‘One Planet living and working’ at Dartington through innovation to do more in abundance with less consumption of energy and materials.
The Environmental Programme at Dartington is split into 3 areas:
The purpose of sustainability at Dartington is to build ‘One Earth’ resilience and flexibility within the organisation and provide inspiration and integrity for the blossoming of creativity. Dartington is well placed, for the issues of sustainability in the 21st century are the biggest opportunities for creativity this world has ever seen in terms of communication and learning, art and design, technology and social justice.
Some of the foundations within the organisation are already in place such as the work of the Personnel and the Conservation and Woodlands Departments. To supplement and support these and other activities within the Trust, 3 programmes have been developed with staff:
The ‘One Earth’ analogy helps us to communicate and measure our shift in terms of energy and material use assuming equity amongst a rapidly expanding population. At present Dartington, like the UK as a whole, would require 3 worlds if everyone on earth consumed and wasted to similar levels. This measure is based on WWF’s ‘One Planet’ Initiative but is termed here ‘One Earth’ because there are many planets but only one earth.
The carbon Programme recognises that 2 of the most pressing issues of our day are the related areas of climate change and the end to cheap fossil fuels. As a charity with an estate and a diversity of ancient and modern listed buildings that are difficult to maintain and expensive to heat, our carbon footprint is considerable: 1,000 tonnes/yr from the built environment alone. This programme focuses on:
The Investment Programme recognises that how we invest and what we procure, or decide to produce for ourselves, can have positive impacts on local and international economies and communities, as well as on the environment and biodiversity. This programme focuses on:
The People Programme is focused in the first instance on Dartington staff but recognises the role and benefits of Dartington in partnering our guests and participants, our tenants, neighbours and friends, and our broader communities. This programme is split into the following areas:
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The Dartington Hall Trust is a registered charity no. 279756. Company no. 1485560. Registered Office: The Elmhirst Centre, Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6EL United Kingdom. Telephone 01803 847000; Fax 01803 847007;