York Racecourse has launched the ‘Green Knavesmire 300’ strategy to tackle environmental issues.
The initiative aims to tackle environmental challenges, by addressing 4 key areas to ensure the racecourse is protected, aiming to reach net zero by 2040.
The strategy sees the racecourse become the first independent racecourse to sign up for the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) sport for climate action.
The key areas the plan will aim to complete will be to be NetZero by 2040, to enhance biodiversity, conserve and manage water and embrace the circular economy.
The strategy sees the racecourse become the first independent racecourse to sign up for the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) sport for climate action.
The work will build on the foundations that have been laid since 2017, when the racecourse made it’s first steps to protect Knavesmire, the land which the racecourse is located on.
Head of Marketing and Communications, James Brennan says York Racecourse “is proud to have launched Green Knavesmire 300, a strategy that will ensure that the 300-year history of horse racing at Knavesmire will remain and flourish for another 300 years.”
The racecourse has already decreased energy consumption by 35% and gas consumption by 80% since 2018, with Brennan saying, “it is important to continue our journey, and we know that we have an environmental responsibility, and this (Green Knavesmire 300) is our commitment to it”.
The Racecourse have reduced their consumption of water by installing two boreholes on site which provide all the water needed to irrigate the course, from the natural aquifer that sits beneath the main car park. This means that the amount of water extracted from the mains supply is significantly reduced.
The racecourse also has further plans to reduce the water taken from mains supply. Brennan said, “there are plans to put sandstone in place to use to extract water out of instead of taking water from the community supply”.
Brennan knows the racecourse can do more and he is “aware that there are other areas can be improved on and other areas of the course that need to change and become more sustainable, but we feel like you don’t have to be perfect to try and make a difference”.
“We want to take a humble leadership role because we are aware other people will be doing things better than us but if we share with them and they share with us we can all work together to make a better environment for our horses and our course and in grandiose terms, we all share the same planet”.
-Daniel Allerton