Sustainability

Our Commitment to a Greener Future

Alongside our conservation work, we are committed to a practical policy of sustainability and self-sufficiency. This includes harvesting renewable energy equivalent to our needs (wood and sun), tending and expanding our organic vegetable garden and orchard, and ensuring that all our operational practices nurture and sustain the environment.

Gomde UK aims to serve as a model of sustainable living—where renewable energy supports ways of making a difference, organic gardens sustain our community, and eco-friendly buildings are designed for centuries ahead.

Environment

We harness the power of the sun and the earth to meet our energy needs. Our solar arrays significantly cut our reliance on external power sources by generating a major portion of our electricity. This energy sufficiency is complemented by our wood fuel heating system, which uses sustainably harvested wood from our land, providing a renewable source of heat and further reducing our environmental impact. It is our aspiration to produce energy equivalent to our needs from these renewable resources, which protects the environment, reduces our costs, and generates income to support our financial sustainability.
Our commitment to sustainability extends to how we grow our food. Our aim is to produce much of our own organic fruit and vegetables, fostering sustainability through mindful land stewardship and community engagement. Since 2010, our organic vegetable garden has been a vital source of fresh, homegrown produce providing a healthy diet for our volunteers and residents. We are dedicated to expanding our cultivation to include an additional third-of-an-acre plot, which will enhance our capacity and variety.

This initiative not only reduces our reliance on external food sources and provides excellent sources of healthy food, it also creates a nurturing space where volunteers can excel, engage with nature, and make quiet connections with Gomde. By increasing community participation in our gardening efforts, we strengthen the bond between individual well-being and environmental health, making our garden a beacon of sustainable living.
Our present and future building plans are designed with an acute awareness of environmental impact and energy efficiency. All new constructions, including the Thubten Chokor Ling Temple designed to last for 1,000 years, are aimed at minimising energy load, using high-performance insulation, air source heat pumps, and integrating renewable energy systems such as solar photovoltaic arrays. Our approach balances durability, maintenance simplicity, and ecological sensitivity, ensuring that our buildings serve future generations while respecting the natural environment.
Our land management practices reflect a deep respect for nature. We manage our 180-acre estate under Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) for ecological conservation, restoration and biodiversity. In addition with the help of experts in the LOM Management group we are able to support ambitious projects such as the Mire Emergency which aims at peatland restoration and regeneration. These efforts are crucial for maintaining ecological balance and combating climate change. Additionally, our water management practices include an on-site borehole and reed bed sewage treatment system, underlining our commitment to self-sufficiency and responsible resource management.
We are overjoyed to announce a threefold increase in our generation of renewable energy alongside further significant reductions in our carbon emissions at Gomde UK. Under the wise guidance of Rinpoche, and since our inception in 2010, we have consistently and steadily worked to further our environmental sustainability. Our success in these endeavours is built upon multiple strategic interventions across conservation, land management, sustainable food production, eco-friendly building practices, and the efficient harvesting of renewable energy.

This holistic approach has enabled us to expand our operations and infrastructure while significantly reducing our carbon footprint. Inspired by the growing urgency of the climate crisis and the potential within our reach, we have developed a robust plan aimed at continuously reducing carbon emissions.

To underpin this ambitious strategy, we have collaborated with Murray Rudd, an independent economics and policy research consultant, whose expertise has been crucial in shaping our approach and ensuring that our sustainability efforts are both impactful and scalable.
Read Carbon Strategy Paper
Together, these efforts underscore our commitment to reducing our environmental impact as we grow, reinforcing our role as a model of self-sufficiency and sustainability in the community.

GOMDE UK

Gomde UK is a registered charity and international Buddhist centre in Yorkshire, England. Part of Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche’s global network, the Shedrub Mandala, we are dedicated to preserving and making accessible authentic Buddhist teachings to anyone who seeks inner peace, compassion, and insight. Gomde is a place of learning, community, and service — nurturing heart, mind, and land.