No Fossil Fuels, No Offsets! The Cider Farm That Said No to Offsets – and Yes to Real Sustainable Change
Author: Communications Team
Date: 03 06 2025 09:00
Cornish Orchards cider production is now powered by 100% renewable energy sources, reducing carbon by up to 94% without any offsetting.
- Cornish Orchards has switched to fully renewable energy at its cider farm in Duloe, southeast Cornwall, completely removing the use of fossil fuels to power the site
- They have taken an approach of complete transparency, focusing purely on reduction of carbon emissions with no offsetting - reducing future site emissions by up to 94%*
- Cornish Orchards is also looking to help to revive Cornish nature: it has planted four acres of woodland so far, with an additional 21 acres planned this year – and is partnering with Cornwall Wildlife Trust as a Reserve Guardian to help boost pollinator populations in the county.
Cornwall, UK: June 3rd 2025 – World Cider Day
Cornish Orchards has announced today, on World Cider Day, that it has hit a major milestone. The cider farm in Duloe, Cornwall, has completely ditched fossil fuels for its energy use, switching to a cutting-edge heat pump system, powered by solar electricity. These developments mean the site now runs entirely on renewable energy sources, reducing its future emissions by up to 94%.
Unlike many brands, Cornish Orchards has refused to use offsetting as a shortcut to claiming carbon reduction.
Sustainability is about far more than carbon for the innovative cider brand. The Cornish Orchards team are also working to help revive Cornish nature through investing in local projects designed to deliver long-term ecosystem value. So far on their farm, they have planted four acres of woodland (capturing 7 tonnes of CO₂ a year), with another 21 acres planned. They have created a wetland to clean water and provide a new habitat for different species. They have built boxes for the bees and houses for the Swallows they share the farm with, and from where the brand gets its distinctive logo; making the Cornish Orchards Farm not just fully powered by renewable sources, but a haven for nature.
Looking beyond their farm, Cornish Orchards has become Partners in Pollination with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust as one of its Reserve Guardians, supporting the work across the Trust’s nature reserves to boost pollinator populations. This ongoing collaboration brings expert ecological guidance to Cornish Orchards’ sustainability journey, shaping its biodiversity strategy, ensuring that every action taken on the farm benefits the local environment and native species.
To achieve renewable production the main project involved installing a combined air and water heat pump system to replace the diesel boiler used to generate hot water. The heat pump is powered by electricity that is bought directly from a solar farm in Somerset. This covers the vast majority of the 94% reduction in emissions. To remove any remaining use of fossil fuels they switched the small amount of diesel used for some farm equipment and boosting heat in colder months to HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) – a plant-based biofuel.
Chris Newton, Head Cider Maker at Cornish Orchards, said: “When making our cider the things we prioritise most are quality and authenticity. We aim to make the best tasting cider with quality ingredients that our drinkers can trust. For me this goes hand in hand with sustainability; true quality should transcend the product itself including the positive impact it can have to the planet. We take an honest approach with everything we do; we do not use any apple concentrate when making our cider, and now we don’t use any fossil fuels either! Our founder’s ethos was, “doing simple things, to natural ingredients in a way that is kind to the environment” and that still stands true today.”
Sam Goodenough, Sustainability Manager, at Asahi UK said: “We are delighted to demonstrate how a small rural farm can show innovative leadership in renewable technology and lead the way on sustainability. The team have worked hard over the years to make the farm a haven for nature, from woodland planting to organic certification at the site, and now we have applied that same mindset to our cider making. We’ve learnt a lot on the journey, and we are excited to be taking this new leap forward in sustainable cider production.”
*Reductions Claims
The Carbon Trust have certified that the 2024 carbon emissions of Asahi UK's Cornish Orchards site covering Scope 1 and Scope 2 (market-based) have been verified in accordance with the GHG Protocol. Future emissions reduction targets have been validated. Reductions (94% on 2024 baseline year) will be realised over the next year now that the interventions have taken place. The certificate from The Carbon Trust can be found on the Cornish Orchards website along with the details of their carbon reduction plan, which The Carbon Trust validated.
The work to reduce emissions at Cornish Orchards is part of their parent company, Asahi’s, sustainability strategy, Legacy 2030. As part of that strategy Asahi have targeted NetZero across their whole supply chain by 2040, a target which has been validated by the Science Based Target Initiative. Further details of Asahi strategy can be found on their website.
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information on Cornish Orchards, please contact:
Shoma Amin at Asahi UK – Shoma.Amin@asahibeer.co.uk +44 7788 345 806
About Cornish Orchards
Cornish Orchards’ story began in 1992 when its founder, Andy Atkinson, started farming dairy cattle at Westnorth Manor Farm in Liskeard, which is part of the Duchy of Cornwall Estate. In 1994, Andy planted three orchards on the farm as part of an apple scheme to protect and grow rare local varieties. Five years later, Andy blended and hand labelled Cornish apple juices, which became an immediate success. In 2002 the team made their first ciders. Today, Cornish Orchards is an enthusiastic team of thirty-five staff who produce premium, nature soft drinks and award-winning ciders. Its ciders are made with 100% fresh pressed apples and use only natural sugars. They do not contain any artificial colours, flavours, or sweeteners.
About Asahi UK
Asahi UK is a subsidiary of Asahi Europe & International and is responsible for sales, marketing and customer operations across the UK and Ireland. Though the portfolio of Super Premium Beer brands, Asahi UK enriches consumer experiences through innovation, high-quality service and an exceptional portfolio of premium beer, ale, and cider brands, which include Peroni Nastro Azzurro (PNA), Asahi Super Dry (ASD, Meantime, Fuller’s London Pride and Cornish Orchards. The Woking based business is focused on developing quality, super premium brands and delivering commercial value in the marketplace, through a strong belief in collaboration, customer excellence and people development.
*CGA OPMS Total GB data latest 12 w/e 22/03/25