Working together to support SMEs and cut greenhouse gas emissions

How Net Zero Now is helping small businesses to reduce emissions and cut costs

Sustainability is an integral part of what we do here at Coca‑Cola, as can be seen through class-leading initiatives such as attached caps and the Water Sensitive Farming initiative, but we’re also keen to help other businesses to make a positive difference as well. That’s why we partnered with Net Zero Now, The Sustainable Restaurant Association, Coca‑Cola Europacific Partners and Pernod Ricard UK Ltd to launch the Net Zero Hospitality Initiative in 2021.

After all, the impact of climate change is being felt around the world, from changing weather patterns to an increase in Earth’s average temperature. Net Zero means reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions as much as possible and credibly compensating for unavoidable emissions by investing in initiatives that reduce the GHG in the atmosphere.

We believe we have a responsibility to not only reduce our own greenhouse gas emissions, but to help the businesses and communities that we work with to rise to the challenge as well.

The Net Zero Hospitality Initiative provides a simple way for licensed businesses to understand their carbon footprint and look at ways they can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions while also helping to save money.

The initiative delivers a four-step process to help businesses to make a difference, making it easy to:

●     Calculate the greenhouse gas emissions of every aspect of a business by inputting data into an online platform.

●     Develop a practical plan to reduce emissions as much as possible.

●     Offer credible ways to compensate for emissions that cannot be removed.

●     Certify businesses as working towards net zero, helping them to spread the word and share success stories with customers and employees.

Since launching the initiative last year, we’re delighted that many companies have joined us on the journey, including McManus Pubs. “We all need to take climate action,” Tom McManus, Strategy Business & Development at McManus Pubs, explains. “Our staff want it, and our customers will expect it.”

Peach Pubs is another business to sign up to the initiative, with owner Hamish Stoddart explaining: “We’re confident about reducing our emissions thanks to the Net Zero Hospitality initiative.”

Ellie Besley-Gould, Head of Purpose at Hawksmoor Restaurants chain, agrees, adding: “It’s simple, it can save money and it makes a huge difference to our future.”

According to NielsenIQ research, 73% of global consumers would definitely or probably change their consumption habits to reduce their impact on the environment, and Net Zero Nowcan easily help.

Employees also want to work for businesses that reflect their values, with a Carbon Intelligence report highlighting that 76% of millennials consider a company’s social and environmental commitments before deciding where to work.

Carbon Trust also highlights the potential for cost savings, pointing out that in some kitchens, only around 40% of the energy consumed is used to store and prepare food, with much of the rest of the energy used being dispersed into the cooking area.

Overall, the Net Zero Hospitality provides a simple, credible, and affordable means for businesses to reach net zero, which provides our best chance of limiting global warming to manageable levels and thereby avoiding a climate disaster.

Find out more about Net Zero Hospitality Initiative.