As an organisation which uniquely spans the whole of the ornamental horticultural value chain, the HTA has an opportunity and responsibility to help further the industry’s commitment to develop in an environmentally sustainable manner. An environmental sustainability roadmap will enable the HTA to be the central point of policy information for the industry on key topics including water, growing media, plastics, and energy.

Work has already begun with the creation of a new futures and sustainability function. Its task will be to ensure the strategy for the sustainability roadmap is in place by mid-2020. This will include an assessment of key environmental topics, timelines of action and an overarching governance structure. As the roadmap progresses, it will help and support members with best practice policy case studies and set industry-wide specific pledges for willing members and partners for each policy issue. 

HTA chairman James Barnes commented: “Sustainability is such a key issue for us all and so it is imperative that we play our part in society’s drive to protect our planet. Our industry produces and sells the plants, trees and shrubs which make such a positive contribution to our efforts as a country to mitigate the impact of climate change.

"There is a huge opportunity for the industry to come together and provide a unified approach to enhance our collective sustainability credentials.”