Minimising our contribution to climate change across three key areas

We’re working hard to explore how the business can meet the UK Government’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. We aim to be a market leader in providing low-carbon fruit, meeting customer’s expectations to reduce the emissions generated in our farming business.

Biodiversity

As custodians of the landscape that we farm, we take our responsibilities seriously. We have put in place specific measures to effectively manage and maintain the natural ecosystem, establishing a habitat which encourages fauna and flora to co-exist alongside commercial fruit production.

Shared areas

Reduced mowing of our headlands and interrow areas within orchards

Improves availability of floral resources for pollinators
Varied sward

Exploring alternatives to grasses for tracks and margins

Trial areas of clover mixes established
Vineyard pollinator mix trialled in 2021

Adoption of IPM principles through the whole decision making process on the farm

Natural enemies used to control a range of pests
Exclusion netting used at high risk periods
Disease models used to reduce fungicide applications

Hedgerows & in field trees

1.5km of mixed native hedging planted in 2021
20 in field trees planted in 2021
Reduced hedge cutting to improve habitat for birds and insects

Hedgerows & in field trees

1.5km of mixed native hedging planted in 2021
20 in field trees planted in 2021
Reduced hedge cutting to improve habitat for birds and insects

Hedgerows & in field trees

1.5km of mixed native hedging planted in 2021
20 in field trees planted in 2021
Reduced hedge cutting to improve habitat for birds and insects

Shared areas

1.5

Hectares of plum orchard rewilded in 2011, plans to rewild further 1.6ha in 2021

8

Hectares of land adjacent to the Rivers Medway and Beult managed as nature reserve

1

Hectare of wildflower meadow established, with a view to increase on current land holding and incorporate into new developments

5

Hectares as permanent grassland

1.5

Hectares of woodland managed for wildlife

Dedicated areas managed for turtle doves with supplementary feeding

Minimise C02

We regularly measure and review the CO2 emissions generated as a result of our business activities and we are proactive in taking steps to reduce and minimise our total greenhouse gas footprint.

Heated Production

We are investing in an innovative low-carbon heated production project.

Using water sourced from the River Medway, our new heating system will employ a heat pump to remove one to two degrees from a small proportion of the river water and achieve pipe temperature in the green house of up to 50 degrees.

Heated Production

We are investing in an innovative low-carbon heated production project.

Water management

Water is critical to our business and we are respectful of the need to carefully manage this finite resource. Clock House Farm is committed to introducing new initiatives to optimise water productivity and reduce water stress, helping to maximise the sustainability of our fruit cultivation.