UK Hospitality Industry Commits To Being Net Zero By 2040

Leading industry body UKHospitality has unveiled its vitally important programme aimed at making the sector fully net zero by 2040 

Part of a wider drive to ensure the UK hospitality industry becomes a leader in sustainability, the trade body’s new Sustainability Commitment sets out 10 pledges in four key areas – waste, supply chain, skills and biodiversity.

The initiative forms part of a wider initiative to help businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), make hospitality a leader in this eco-friendly field.

The 10 pledges outlined in UKHospitality’s Sustainability Programme are as follows:

1. To deliver on 2040 net-zero aims for the sector
2. Roll out the UKH sustainability guide to members focusing on providing SMEs with tips, templates and best practice resources
3. Eliminate unnecessary single-use packaging by 2025
4. Reduce food waste by 50% by 2030
5. Incorporate sustainability skills in relevant training courses and promote the appointment of site-based sustainability champions
6. Support the Hospitality Sector Council’s Sustainability Committee on the delivery of the Hospitality Strategy’s environmental targets
7. Promote sign-up to external pledges, such as the Courtauld Commitment and Plastics Pact
8. Facilitate engagement across supply chains to reduce environmental impacts
9. Promote the roll out of EV charging points across the sector
10. Work with the Hospitality Sector Council to align industry objectives and share best practice amongst businesses

An accompanying Environmental Sustainability Guide for the Hospitality Sector SMEs was revealed in a presentation by Burger King UK chief financial officer, Tim Doubleday.

The guide includes practical actions for businesses to take, such as making 100% of plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable; ensuring all employees have completed WRAP’s 15-minute course on food waste; reviewing menus to incorporate more locally produced goods and plant dishes, and engaging with suppliers to source low carbon food alternatives for menus.

UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls commented: “Hospitality has been swift to embrace and accelerate sustainable practices in recent years but we’re entering a crucial phase in dealing with climate change, which makes our new Sustainability Commitment vitally important if we’re to deliver on 2040 net-zero aims for the sector.

“Ours is an overwhelmingly SME-led industry, so it’s crucial that SMEs are equipped with specialised tools to deliver the environmental targets set out by government, and to build businesses whose everyday operations are environmentally friendly.”

Find out more via ukhospitality.org.uk