You’ve previously spoken about Goodwood’s vision — expanding EV infrastructure and embracing alternative fuels. What’s been achieved so far, and what’s next in transforming the estate?
We’ve made some strong progress. We now have permanent EV charging points installed at key locations, including the Motor Circuit and the hotel. Our entire fleet of golf course machinery is electric, too — golf has been ahead of the curve in this area. The team uses electric equipment for everything from green preparation to overall course maintenance.
On the events side, we started by trialling sustainable fuels at the Members’ Meeting. That led to two historic grids running on sustainable fuel at the Revival.
This year, we’ve taken it a step further: all the grids at the Members’ Meeting ran on 100% sustainable fuel, quite possibly a world first in historic motorsport.
You’ve previously said that the Festival of Speed is a different kind of event. How have you approached sustainability there?
The Festival of Speed is more contemporary — we host modern race series like Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship, so we can’t necessarily dictate fuel choices. That said, many of them are already transitioning to sustainable fuels. So we focus on showcasing electric vehicles and alternative fuels wherever possible.
On the infrastructure side, we’ve switched all generators to run on HVO biodiesel and use LED tower lights across the site. Our biomass energy facility also provides power and hot water for much of the estate, using straw and forestry off-cuts. We’ve installed solar panels on the hangar and other locations, and we are now exploring battery storage.
As the new Head of Sustainability, where do you see the greatest opportunities, both in terms of improving impact and extending that work beyond Goodwood’s major events?
For me, it all starts with data. We need to properly understand when and how we’re making the most impact. That means tracking solar performance, measuring what the biomass energy facility is generating, and quantifying the carbon savings from sustainable fuels. The goal is to measure it all accurately so we can maximise our efforts and communicate the benefits.
But sustainability at Goodwood goes well beyond the events. We’re looking across the entire 11,000-acre estate — from motor and horse racing to agriculture, forestry, and biodiversity. There’s enormous potential to improve how we manage energy and environmental resources. Rewilding projects, river restoration, biodiversity initiatives — even something as simple as pigs helping to dig a pond to create a new habitat. The revenue from events like the Festival of Speed enables us to fund these long-term sustainability projects. That’s what makes Goodwood so unique: everything is connected, and we’re able to reinvest directly into the land.
Scope 3 emissions are notoriously difficult to measure and manage. How are you approaching this with your suppliers?
It’s about focusing on the areas where we can make a difference. So we’re starting with our top 20 suppliers, building strong engagement and gathering accurate data we can work with. From there, we’ll gradually expand the footprint.
We’re working with our suppliers to improve their sustainability performance— many have been with us a long time and genuinely want to be part of the journey. The goal is to work together on improvements, set clear sustainability expectations in new contracts, and help raise the standard over time.
Circular economy is a core theme at Revival, particularly through ‘Revive and Thrive’. How does that connect with and engage visitors?
The post-war period was all about make-do and mend, so that spirit has always been part of the Revival. But as the audience changes — especially younger visitors with no direct link to the 1948–1966 era — we’ve looked for ways to connect with their values too. The rise of reuse culture and pre-loved fashion, through things like Vinted, makes that connection feel really relevant.
‘Revive and Thrive’ brings those ideas to the forefront. Our heritage skills academies and mechanics celebrate the craft of keeping classic cars running, while many visitors wear vintage or pre-loved clothing. It taps into modern sustainability values around repair, reuse, and circularity, without losing the magic that makes Revival what it is.
Motorsport sometimes has a perception among audiences as being at odds with sustainability. How do you approach that tension?
It’s a fair concern. But the reality is that racing itself is a relatively small part of an event’s overall carbon footprint — the bigger impacts come from the event build, infrastructure, and logistics. That’s where we’ve focused our efforts, using biodiesel, renewable energy, and other low-impact solutions to reduce emissions behind the scenes.
Fuels are still a key part of the story. We’ve made big strides with sustainable fuels, and the next goal is fossil-free racing. The main challenge now is availability, but we’re keen to work with fuel suppliers to help scale up production. The ambition is clear: in a few years, we want fossil-free racing to become standard. That way, the perception aligns with the real progress being made.
What visible sustainability efforts can visitors expect to see at this year’s Festival of Speed?
A lot of the work happens behind the scenes, what we call “brilliant basics.” Things like water refill stations to cut down on single-use plastic, sourcing local water, using biodiesel generators, and even selling water in recycled PET bottles. It’s all about reducing the carbon footprint of the infrastructure without putting the burden on visitors.
But the elements we want people to engage with are Electric Avenue and Future Lab. They showcase the latest innovations in electric mobility and alternative fuels — the future of transport, right here and now. We were proud to see the Red Arrows fly on sustainable fuel for the King’s Birthday Flypast this year. That kind of high-profile shift is exactly what we hope to see integrated into our events, too.
