The RHS Sustainability Strategy

The RHS Sustainability Strategy: Within the decade, we aim to become net positive for nature and for people, and to encourage and enable gardeners to do the same

The RHS Sustainability Strategy

The RHS Sustainability Strategy

Read the full report

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Keith Weed

We are now painfully aware that we face a climate and biodiversity crisis, and that every effort counts. The RHS is in a unique position to harness its science, reputation and reach to help address this in a positive way

Keith Weed, RHS President

Our 10 targets - and how you can make a difference

The RHS and gardeners working together to tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis

Net positive for nature

1. Climate positive by 2030

Definition: To capture and reduce more greenhouse gas emissions than the RHS value chain emits, without affecting the growth of the RHS.

Read more: Fighting climate change from the ground up

2. Biodiversity positive by 2025

Definition: Reversing habitat destruction in gardens and community green spaces around the country; protecting and improving conditions for pollinators and other wildlife and enhancing and conserving cultivated plant diversity for the future.

Read more: Just one change in your garden can really make a difference

3. Biosecurity neutral by 2025

Definition: Management and control of biosecurity risks in our gardens and shows, sharing our knowledge with the wider gardening community to help protect the environment.

Read more: Beware the beasties in your baggage

4. Water neutral by 2030

Definition: To use less, capture, reuse and recycle water in RHS operations including gardens and shows and to encourage water-neutral gardening practices.

Read more: We can’t rely on April showers any more

5. Circular plastic by 2030

Definition: We will eliminate all single-use plastic; encourage reduced use of all plastics; ensure that all packaging used is 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable in all RHS operations and encourage all of these in gardening practices to our members and visitors.

Read more: We want to eliminate single-use plastic

6. Zero waste to landfill by 2030

Definition: All waste produced is reduced, reused, recycled, composted, or sent to energy recovery in all RHS operations and encourage all of these in gardening practices to our members and visitors.

Read more: Let's cut the waste sent to landfill and actively reuse and recycle

Net positive for people

1. Enable more people to enjoy the benefits of gardening

Definition: A more diverse group of people understands that gardening brings joy and is accessible and relevant, especially for their mental, physical and social wellbeing.

Read more: Inspiring everyone to grow

2. Design a new evidence-based Wellbeing Garden Blueprint by 2025

Definition: To further research and create a new evidence-based wellbeing garden blueprint, regarding both design and process, that enables everyone to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of a garden.

Read more: Making a blueprint for wellbeing gardens

3. Develop and embed sustainable horticulture within education, research and training

Definition: To develop sustainable horticultural research and training, increasing the skills, knowledge and confidence of young people and adults to grow sustainably.

Read more: Creating the next generation of green gardening gurus

4. Accelerate equality, diversity and inclusion

Definition: Develop the organisation, our employees and volunteers, our brand, operations, marketing and activities to be truly inclusive, reflecting all the communities of the UK.

Read more: If you value people for who they are, they’ll value you back

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.