Inside the Duchy of Cornwall’s People-First Plan for Net Zero

Duchy of Cornwall sets 2032 net zero target for entire estate

The Duchy of Cornwall has committed to reaching net zero across its entire estate by the end of 2032. The target applies to a portfolio that includes working farms, residential properties, commercial buildings, woodland and coastline. Consequently, the duchy has linked its climate goal to a broader strategy covering land management, tenant support and community investment.

The estate says its own operations have been net zero since 2006. However, the 2032 target is more ambitious. It covers emissions from the wider portfolio and depends on reducing greenhouse gases while increasing carbon storage across thousands of hectares of land managed by tenant farmers and estate staff.

This approach positions the duchy as a case study in how large landowners can align climate targets with rural livelihoods and productive land use. The estate argues that long-term resilience requires supporting the people who live and work on its land, not just measuring carbon.

Estate-wide target includes tenant farms and property portfolio

The duchy’s estate is varied. It includes agricultural holdings, residential lettings, commercial property, forested land and coastal areas. Additionally, the estate holds financial investments. Each asset type contributes differently to the duchy’s overall emissions profile.

The net zero programme therefore requires coordination across multiple land uses. Tenant farmers manage much of the agricultural land. Meanwhile, the estate directly controls decisions about property development, woodland management and infrastructure. As a result, meeting the 2032 target depends on collaboration with tenants, contractors and advisers.

The duchy has said it integrates greenhouse gas considerations into decision-making across all assets. This includes farm management plans, building specifications for new housing and choices about renewable energy infrastructure. The estate treats climate goals as a factor in investment decisions, tenant selection and long-term land use planning.

Heather Webb, head of Future Farming at the duchy, explained the need for partnership. She said the estate cannot achieve net zero by the early 2030s without collaboration. Therefore, the duchy has expanded support for tenant farmers through data collection, training, workshops and independent advice.

Tenant support programme expands since 2019

The duchy has partnered with the Farm Carbon Toolkit since 2019. This partnership provides tenant farmers with access to carbon measurement tools, training sessions and farm-level advice. Moreover, the estate has established a network of focus farms to test and refine practices before rolling them out more widely.

Investment in this area appears substantial. According to farming press reports, the duchy spent £2.8 million on net zero, farming and woodland programmes in one recent year. This funding covers infrastructure improvements, independent advisory services and staff training.

The duchy has also introduced carbon literacy training for its own staff. This initiative ensures that people across the organisation understand how their decisions affect emissions. Furthermore, the estate has said it wants to embed the net zero target in everyday operations, not treat it as a separate project.

Tenant engagement extends beyond carbon measurement. The duchy has invested in farm infrastructure, supported access to grants and facilitated peer learning through workshops. Specifically, the estate has encouraged regenerative farming practices and helped tenants adopt new approaches to soil health, grazing and nutrient management.

Regenerative farming partnership supports land managers

The duchy announced a partnership with Regenified to support regenerative agriculture across its tenanted farms. The initiative is intended to improve the long-term resilience and productivity of land. It also aims to support jobs, health and prosperity in rural communities.

Regenerative farming focuses on soil health, biodiversity and ecosystem function. Practices include reducing tillage, using cover crops, improving grazing systems and integrating livestock with arable farming. These methods can increase carbon storage in soils while maintaining or improving farm productivity.

The duchy’s focus farms serve as practical examples. Tenant farmers on these holdings test new approaches and share results with others on the estate. This model allows the duchy to identify what works in different landscapes and farming systems before encouraging wider adoption.

On Dartmoor, the duchy’s landscape vision emphasises collaboration between landowners, farmers and wildlife organisations. The estate has highlighted peatland restoration, catchment-level agri-environment schemes and grazing systems as central tools. Peatland restoration, in particular, can deliver significant carbon benefits while improving water quality and biodiversity.

Renewable energy review includes solar and onshore wind

In 2024, media reports indicated that Prince William had commissioned a review of renewable energy options for the estate. The review examined solar, geothermal, biomass and potentially onshore wind as routes to meeting the 2032 target. This suggests the duchy is considering on-site generation to reduce reliance on grid electricity and lower emissions from property and operations.

Renewable energy infrastructure can also generate income. Solar panels on farm buildings or unused land can provide electricity for estate operations and export surplus power to the grid. Similarly, biomass heating systems can use wood from estate woodlands, creating a closed-loop system.

The duchy has said it wants to embed low-carbon solutions in new development. For example, plans for ten eco-friendly homes on St Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly include high insulation standards, solar panels and electric vehicle charging. These homes are designed to meet local housing demand while minimising emissions.

This approach reflects a broader shift. The estate is using property and infrastructure decisions to support its climate goals. New buildings are designed to lower operating emissions. Meanwhile, retrofitting existing properties with insulation and renewable heating reduces energy use across the portfolio.

Key facts about the Duchy of Cornwall net zero programme

• The duchy has committed to reaching net zero across its entire estate by the end of 2032, covering farms, homes, commercial properties, woodland and coastline.
• The estate says its own operations have been net zero since 2006, but the 2032 target includes emissions from tenant-managed land and the wider property portfolio.
• The duchy has partnered with the Farm Carbon Toolkit since 2019 to provide tenant farmers with carbon measurement tools, training and independent advice.
• Farming press reports indicate the duchy invested £2.8 million in net zero, farming and woodland programmes in one recent year.
• The estate has announced a partnership with Regenified to support regenerative farming practices, focusing on soil health, biodiversity and long-term land productivity.
• In 2024, Prince William commissioned a review of renewable energy options for the estate, including solar, geothermal, biomass and potentially onshore wind.
• Plans for ten eco-friendly homes on St Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly include high insulation, solar panels and electric vehicle charging to meet local housing needs with minimal emissions.

Wider estate strategy links climate goals to community benefit

The duchy’s approach goes beyond carbon accounting. It uses the net zero programme to reshape how it manages land, supports tenants and designs development. Therefore, the estate is tying climate goals to rural livelihoods, housing and biodiversity.

This makes the duchy a notable case study in estate-level climate governance. The estate is not only trying to cut emissions but also demonstrating how a large landowner can align climate action with community benefit and productive land use. Consequently, other estates and landowners may look to the duchy’s methods as a model.

For UK businesses, particularly those in agriculture, property management or land-based sectors, the duchy’s programme illustrates several principles. First, meeting ambitious climate targets often requires collaboration with tenants, contractors and supply chain partners. Second, investment in training, infrastructure and advice can support emissions reduction while maintaining productivity. Third, integrating climate considerations into everyday decision-making helps embed targets across an organisation.

The duchy’s 2025 Integrated Impact Report framed net zero as part of a wider ambition for sustainable stewardship. This language suggests the estate sees climate action as inseparable from its responsibilities to communities, enterprises and nature. Moreover, the report indicates the duchy is measuring its performance not just on carbon metrics but also on social and environmental outcomes.

For SMEs, the duchy’s model may seem difficult to replicate directly. However, the underlying principles apply at smaller scales. Businesses can engage supply chain partners in emissions reduction, invest in energy efficiency and renewable generation, and use climate goals to drive improvements in operations and product design. Additionally, accessing available support, such as training and advisory services, can reduce the cost and complexity of taking action.

Practical considerations for businesses with land or property assets

Businesses that own or manage land and property can draw several lessons from the duchy’s approach. First, tenant engagement is critical. If you lease property or land to others, their activities will affect your overall emissions profile. Therefore, supporting tenants with advice, infrastructure investment or access to grants can help you meet shared climate goals.

Second, property improvements deliver multiple benefits. Retrofitting buildings with insulation, efficient heating and renewable energy reduces operating costs for tenants and lowers emissions. Similarly, designing new buildings to high environmental standards can attract tenants, meet planning requirements and future-proof assets.

Third, collaboration with advisers and industry bodies can reduce risk. The duchy has used partnerships with organisations such as the Farm Carbon Toolkit to access expertise and share learning across its estate. SMEs can access similar support through industry bodies, local enterprise partnerships or consultancies that specialise in carbon reporting and net zero planning.

Fourth, embedding climate considerations in decision-making requires training and culture change. The duchy has invested in carbon literacy training for staff so that emissions are considered in everyday choices. Businesses can adopt similar approaches by providing staff with basic training on energy use, procurement decisions and waste management.

Fifth, measuring progress is essential. The duchy uses data from tenant farms to track emissions and identify opportunities for improvement. Businesses should establish baseline measurements, set interim targets and monitor performance regularly. This helps identify what is working and where additional effort is needed.

Comparing estate-level action with wider UK net zero policy

The duchy’s 2032 target is more ambitious than the UK government’s 2050 net zero commitment. However, the estate’s approach aligns with several policy themes. For example, the government has emphasised the role of agriculture and land use in reaching net zero. Similarly, ministers have encouraged private landowners to invest in nature recovery and carbon sequestration.

The duchy’s focus on peatland restoration and woodland management reflects priorities set out in the government’s net zero strategy and Environmental Land Management schemes. These policies provide grants and incentives for farmers and landowners to adopt practices that store carbon and improve biodiversity. Consequently, the duchy is using public funding alongside its own investment to deliver climate outcomes.

The estate’s renewable energy review also mirrors wider trends. The government has supported onshore wind and solar development through planning reforms and subsidy schemes. Businesses that generate renewable energy can benefit from lower operating costs, grid export payments and improved sustainability credentials.

For SMEs, understanding the policy context is important. Government schemes such as the Countryside Stewardship, Sustainable Farming Incentive and carbon reporting requirements create both obligations and opportunities. Businesses that act early can access funding, avoid future compliance costs and position themselves as leaders in their sectors.

Sources and further reading

For more information on the Duchy of Cornwall’s net zero programme, see the estate’s Integrated Impact Report and Future Farming pages on the duchy’s official website. These documents provide detail on carbon measurement, tenant support and investment priorities.

The Farm Carbon Toolkit offers resources and training for farmers and land managers seeking to measure and reduce emissions. The toolkit is widely used across the UK and provides practical guidance on soil health, livestock management and renewable energy.

Regenified provides advice and support for regenerative agriculture. The organisation works with landowners and farmers to adopt practices that improve soil health, biodiversity and carbon storage. Their website includes case studies and technical resources.

The UK government’s net zero strategy sets out the national framework for emissions reduction and includes specific sections on agriculture, land use and nature recovery. The Environmental Land Management schemes provide details on funding available to farmers and landowners for climate and nature-positive land management.

For businesses seeking support with carbon reporting, emissions reduction or net zero planning, SBS provides practical advice and consultancy services tailored to UK SMEs. Our approach focuses on compliance, cost control and supply chain requirements, helping businesses meet sustainability goals without compromising commercial priorities.