5 min readThis grand country house hotel has taken meaningful steps to reduce its environmental impact and care for the building, historic grounds and people. We asked the team to tell us more about their ethos and the steps they've taken to become a more sustainable organisation.
De Vere Tortworth Court holds the following certifications:
- Green Tourism Gold Award
- IACC Greenstar Certification
- Greengage I B Corp ECOsmart Gold Level Accreditation
How important is sustainability to your business operation?
At De Vere, sustainability isn’t a project - it’s part of how we run our hotel, care for our people, and look after the historic estates in our care. Every year, we’re taking meaningful steps to reduce our environmental impact, support our colleagues and communities, and operate responsibly for the long term.
We’ve made strong progress in 2025, reducing our carbon emissions by 30% since 2019, switching all our electricity to renewable sources, achieving 100% waste diversion from landfill, and earning Gold-level sustainability accreditations across all eight of our properties. We’ve also planted over 15,000 trees with our B Corp partner, supported local charities with more than 2,000 volunteering hours, and continued to invest in our people - from wellbeing initiatives to being recognised as one of the Sunday Times Best Places to Work.
How do you communicate your sustainability work internally?
Tortworth has its own ESG Committee that meets on a monthly with representatives from each department within the hotel An ESG Roadshow is held each quarter to communicate to all team members. Communicated from Head Office on monthly newsletters and across social media.
How important are local supply chains?
Supply chain management is one of three core pillars for De Vere as a group operations and community engagement.
- Audits supplier sustainability policies and accreditations
- Prioritises suppliers with strong ESG credentials
- Requires suppliers to comply with a Supplier Code of Conduct covering ethical and environmental standards
- Works to reduce transport emissions associated with procurement and deliveries.
De Vere Hotels believes that sustainability cannot be achieved internally alone and requires collaboration across its entire supply chain.
How do you communicate this sustainability work with visitors?
De Vere Tortworth Court communicates and engages with customers throughout their journey with the hotel, from pre-arrival communications, including:
- Sustainability information on the hotel's website
- ESG and sustainability sections within conference and event proposals
- Information provided to corporate clients who increasingly require evidence of ESG performance for their own reporting.
Whilst on site at the hotel:
- Signage explaining sustainability initiatives, such as biodiversity projects, waste reduction measures, energy-saving systems, or responsible sourcing
- Information about the estate's historic arboretum, gardens, and conservation work
- Sustainability messaging in guest rooms, meeting spaces, and public areas.
Through to reporting:
- Publishing sustainability reports and ESG updates
- Sharing measurable outcomes such as carbon reductions, supplier initiatives, food waste reductions, or community projects
- Using recognised certifications and standards to demonstrate credibility.
To engage with the guest, Tortworth runs initiatives such as:
- Reuse towels and linens
- Reduce food waste at buffets and events
- Use electric vehicle charging facilities where available
- Choose lower-carbon menu options
- Highlighting local producers on menus
- Telling the stories behind locally sourced food and beverages
- Featuring regional suppliers in event materials and guest communications
- Offering seasonal menus that showcase local ingredients
- Self-guided nature trails
- Conservation and heritage interpretation
- Corporate team-building activities linked to sustainability themes
- Carbon and sustainability information for events
- Guidance on sustainable event choices
- Reporting on the environmental impact of meetings
- Opportunities to support local community or environmental initiatives as part of an event programme.
What are the benefits of striving to be a sustainable business?
Striving to be a sustainable business offers a range of benefits for De Vere Tortworth Court. Sustainability can reduce operating costs by improving energy, water, and waste efficiency, while also helping the business manage risks associated with rising resource prices and changing environmental regulations.
Strong ESG performance can enhance the hotel's reputation, attract environmentally conscious guests, and help secure corporate event business from organisations with their own sustainability commitments.
Sustainable practices also strengthen relationships with local suppliers and communities, supporting the local economy and creating more authentic guest experiences. Environmentally, it helps reduce carbon emissions, conserve resources, and protect biodiversity, while socially it demonstrates a commitment to supporting local communities and preserving the property's natural and cultural heritage. Overall, sustainability helps build a more resilient, competitive, and future-ready business by creating long-term value for guests, employees, communities, and the environment.
What are you most proud of in terms of your sustainability journey?
At Tortworth, we are most proud of embedding sustainability into the way we operate as a business rather than treating it as a standalone initiative. Through the wider De Vere sustainability programme, we have made meaningful progress in reducing carbon emissions, improving resource efficiency, cutting waste, and working more closely with responsible suppliers. We are particularly proud of our efforts to reduce the environmental impact of our supply chain, including reducing delivery miles and associated emissions, while continuing to support high-quality products and services for our guests.
We are also proud of the work across the grounds at Tortworth Court, helping to protect biodiversity and preserve the natural environment for future generations. Most importantly, we have created a culture where sustainability is considered in everyday decision-making, allowing us to balance environmental responsibility, community impact, and excellent guest experiences. It was also an honour to have the hotel's work recognised at the Bristol Hoteliers -Bristol Night of the Stars 2026, winning the ESG & Community Award.
Any words of wisdom to motivate others on their own sustainability journey?
Sustainability does not have to start with large investments or major changes. The most important thing is to begin, set clear goals, and focus on making consistent improvements over time. Small actions can add up to a significant impact when they become part of everyday decision-making. It is also important to remember that sustainability is not just about protecting the environment; it is about creating long-term value for people, communities, and businesses.
Collaboration is key, so engage employees, customers, suppliers, and local partners in the journey. Progress is often more important than perfection, and every positive step contributes to a more resilient and sustainable future.
