At Hildon, sustainability has never been just a buzzword, it's a commitment. We’re proud to announce that for the third year running, we’ve been certified by Planet Mark for our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint.

There’s a quiet kind of hope in accountability - the idea that by measuring the impact we have on the world around us, we can begin to change it.

At Hildon, we’ve always tried to protect the land on the estate and everything that calls it home. Our natural mineral water emerges from deep below the chalk hills of Hampshire, untouched by human hands. We keep the site as best we can  But in a world shaped by climate crisis, purity alone is not enough. The question isn’t just what do we make? but how do we make it? And at what cost?

This year marks our third with Planet Mark - an organisation that helps businesses measure, understand, and reduce their carbon emissions. But it’s more than a certification. It’s a mirror. One that shows not just where we are, but where we need to go.

The Truth Behind the Numbers

From January to December 2024, we measured every aspect of our carbon footprint - from the diesel in our vans to the electricity that powers our bottling line. The final figure? 389.2 tonnes of CO₂e, which sounds abstract, until you realise it’s equivalent to the annual emissions of over 80 average UK homes.

And yet, in the midst of that number, there is progress. Our direct emissions -  the ones we control - are down 9.4% compared to last year, once you adjust for the expanded scope of our reporting. Our company vehicles, once our highest emitting category, have seen a 17% reduction in emissions. This didn’t happen by accident. It happened through intention.

We are also expanding the boundaries of what we choose to measure. In practical terms, that means not only looking at what we consume or use, but also what we throw away, how we travel, and even how our energy is sourced before it reaches us. This year, for the first time, we began measuring more of our Scope 3 emissions - the ones in the shadows. The ones many companies choose to ignore.

Why Planet Mark?

Because working with Planet Mark demands transparency. Their methodology is aligned with the most trusted global standards, and their audits leave little room for greenwashing. They also believe, as we do, in action over perfection.

Through Planet Mark, we’ve supported the Eden Project, a symbol of environmental regeneration and storytelling. It’s a reminder that sustainability is not about givng things up, but about participation.

What We’ve Learned

There’s a vulnerability in being honest about your environmental impact. It forces you to confront the ways in which good intentions aren’t always enough. But it also makes space for growth.

We don’t claim to have all the answers. What we have is the willingness to keep asking better questions - about how we source, how we operate, and how we contribute to the climate solution rather than the problem.

Looking Ahead

Next year, we aim to go further: by capturing more granular data, restoring solar reporting, and expanding our measurement to eventually include all emissions within our reach. Our primary forklifts are now completely electric, and we're waiting for delivery on our first fully electric van. The weight of our loads and distances covered by our drivers mean that fully electric fleets are not yet viable, but our new fleet has significantly improved our emissions. Technology is improving all the time, but rather than waiting for the perfect solution making incremental improvements is a step in the right direction. Sustainability is not a single act, but a posture - a way of seeing and choosing, again and again, to do things differently, to move in the right directon

It’s not perfect. But it’s honest. And that, for us, this is the beginning of real change and ensuring that we protect our beautiful patch of England and indeed the planet