We are taking action to minimise the environmental impacts of buildings, energy, transport, waste and water.

Priority area: Buildings

Environmental impacts
As well as having many historic buildings in its care, the National Trust is also responsible for a large number of other structures, including workshops, offices, cottages, restaurants and shops. The way the Trust builds and maintains these has an impact on the environment. The choice of materials can affect energy efficiency (and CO2 output) and the wider environment. For instance, insulation materials can be made from rockwool which requires a lot of energy for its manufacture, or from recycled paper or sheep’s wool.

National Trust action
New buildings (such as visitor centres) are designed to be as environmentally benign as possible by making use of passive solar design, super efficient insulation, water and energy saving appliances etc. The Trust tries to ensure that all materials used in building projects are from as benign a source as possible. The building department holds stocks of reclaimed materials for reuse.

Priority area: Energy

Environmental impacts
All energy sources (except some renewable sources) release carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. CO2 is a green house gas and is implicated in climate change. Changing climates are affecting the species, habitats and buildings in the Trust’s care

National Trust action
The Trust is aiming to reduce its energy use. Efficient appliances, energy monitoring and stewardship projects (which increase accountability for the amount of energy used) can reduce consumption. For example, approximately 13,000 low energy light bulbs have been installed at Trust properties as an energy saving measure.

Priority area: Transport

Environmental impacts
The Trust is increasingly concerned about the adverse impacts of transport, which include:

• congestion from visitors’ cars, e.g. at Dovedale and Studland Bay;
• nitrogen from vehicle exhausts harming heath land and other low nutrient habitats;
• car parks creating a visual intrusion into the landscape;
• the land required for visitor car parks affecting the historical and archaeological integrity of a property e.g. Dyrham Park;
• new roads being built across Trust

National Trust action
National Trust members challenged the Trust at the 1995 AGM to reduce car borne visits from a level of 90% to 60% by 2020. In order to achieve this, the Trust is working on a number of initiatives:

• better access by public transport;
• improved facilities for cyclists;
• a review of car park provision;
• fuel-efficient staff vehicles designed with the potential for recycling.

Priority area: Waste

Environmental impacts
Waste impacts on the environment in a number of ways: loss of valuable resources, need for landfill space, release of methane. Litter can be harmful to wildlife (mice and other small mammals can get caught in discarded cans and bottles, cattle can choke on plastics etc). Pollution from industrial processes and other types of waste can contaminate water. The Trust has to pay to dispose of waste created by visitors and staff and any waste that is illegally left on its land.

National Trust action
The Trust is trying to reduce the amount of waste it produces, especially packaging waste generated by its shops and restaurants. Garden waste is composted, and efforts are being made to minimise kitchen waste. Litter bins are not provided at many properties as visitors are asked to take their litter home. The Trust is currently investigating the impacts of dog faeces on its land, as there are concerns that it can lead to nutrient enrichment in habitats that are naturally low in nutrients. This can affect plant life. There are also concerns over health issues.

Priority area: Water

Environmental impacts
Water is a key issue for the Trust, with many of its properties vulnerable to climate change and water shortages. Private water supplies, water supply charges, abstraction licences, river effluent dilution, farm irrigation, ground shrinkage and subsidence can all be affected by changes in the availability of water.

National Trust action
The Trust has over 4,000 septic tanks and private sewage treatment systems which all need careful management to ensure compliance with discharge consents (limits set by the Environment Agency for suspended solids and BOD) to reduce the risk of pollution.

Current initiatives are targeted at reducing consumption and protecting supplies:

• spray & auto off taps, waterless urinals, dry compost toilets, cistern misers and flow restrictors (for staff and visitor facilities);
• rain water collection for garden use;
• the ‘Private Water Supplies Manual’ offers guidance which helps to protect supplies;
• low water consumption appliances can help to eke out supply;
• inspections for compliance with water bye-laws;
• monitor meters regularly to help identify leaks.