The National Trust, officially known as the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, is a prominent conservation organisation headquartered in Great Britain. Founded in 1895, it has grown to become a leading force in the preservation of the UK's natural and cultural heritage, managing over 500 historic sites and 250,000 hectares of countryside across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The National Trust's core services include the conservation of historic buildings, gardens, and landscapes, alongside promoting public access and enjoyment of these sites. Its unique approach combines heritage preservation with environmental stewardship, making it a pioneer in sustainable tourism. With millions of members and visitors annually, the National Trust holds a significant position in the heritage sector, recognised for its commitment to safeguarding the nation's treasures for future generations.
How does National Trust's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Recreation and Sports Services industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
National Trust's score of 51 is higher than 71% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2024, the National Trust reported total carbon emissions of approximately 902,000 kg CO2e in Great Britain. This figure includes 119,000 kg CO2e from Scope 2 emissions, primarily from purchased electricity, and 783,000 kg CO2e from Scope 3 emissions, which encompass business travel (676,800 kg CO2e), employee commuting (194,000 kg CO2e), and purchased goods and services (29,000 kg CO2e). Notably, there were no reported Scope 1 emissions. Comparatively, in 2023, the National Trust's total emissions were about 693,000 kg CO2e, with similar Scope 2 emissions of 119,000 kg CO2e and Scope 3 emissions of 574,000 kg CO2e. This indicates an increase in total emissions year-on-year. The National Trust has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming for carbon net zero by 2030, using a 2019-20 baseline. This strategy aligns with a 1.5°C warming scenario and includes a target to enhance carbon removal through nature-based solutions by 2030. Additionally, they exceeded their Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduction target of 20%, achieving a 22% reduction by the end of 2023. Overall, the National Trust is actively working towards significant emissions reductions while addressing its carbon footprint through various initiatives and commitments.
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| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 3,065,000 | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 | 00,000,000 | 00,000,000 |
| Scope 2 | - | - | - | 0,000,000 | 0,000,000 |
| Scope 3 | 883,245,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 | 000,000,000 |
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
National Trust has not publicly committed to specific 2030 or 2050 climate goals through the major frameworks we track. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.
