The Jockey Club is a unique organisation with a diverse property portfolio spanning racecourses, the National Stud, Racing Homes, and Racing Welfare facilities. With sites across locations including Newmarket and Lambourn, the estate presents complex energy demands: from heating historic buildings and residential properties to powering operational facilities and managing extensive land holdings.

The organisation recognised an opportunity to take a leadership position in sporting sector decarbonisation. Rather than waiting for mandatory requirements, they wanted to proactively chart a course towards Net Zero, achieving meaningful emissions reductions whilst demonstrating good governance to the wider racing industry and beyond.

Ecofund Partners were commissioned to develop a comprehensive Net Zero strategy that would be practical, achievable, and affordable: delivering real progress rather than simply ambitious targets.

We began by establishing a robust baseline of current emissions. Analysis revealed that Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions across Jockey Club Estates, National Stud, Racing Homes and Racing Welfare totalled approximately 994 tonnes of CO₂ per year. While Scope 3 emissions (from supply chains, purchased goods, and employee travel) typically represent around 90% of an organisation's total footprint, we focused initially on the directly controllable site-based emissions where practical action could begin immediately.

Our methodology followed the energy hierarchy: prioritising consumption reduction before considering renewable generation. This approach ensures that investment is directed where it delivers the greatest impact, often at little or no capital cost.

For each site, we evaluated technology options against the specific requirements and constraints, recognising that a solution appropriate for a racecourse grandstand differs markedly from one suited to residential properties or equine facilities. Economic modelling underpinned every recommendation, ensuring that proposed measures represented sound investments as well as environmental improvements.

The project delivered a strategic roadmap enabling The Jockey Club to achieve Net Zero well ahead of the UK Government's 2050 target. Rather than presenting a single prescriptive solution, we provided a framework that allows the organisation to:

Prioritise measures based on their specific circumstances, balancing environmental impact against capital availability and operational considerations.

Understand the economics of each option through lifecycle cost modelling, enabling informed decisions on whether to self-fund, seek external financing, or consider alternative ownership models.

Adapt to changing circumstances as technology evolves and legislation develops, with core objectives embedded within the organisation rather than locked into rigid plans.

Demonstrate leadership in sporting sector decarbonisation, using the profile of sport as a platform for communicating environmental progress to a wide audience.