UKHospitality has announced a new Sustainability Commitment programme to guide the industry towards a net zero target by 2040.
The initiative includes 10 pledges in four key areas – waste, supply chain, skills and biodiversity. It forms part of a wider drive to help businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), make hospitality a leader in sustainability.
The 10 pledges outlined in UKHospitality’s Sustainability programme comprise:
- To deliver on 2040 net-zero aims for the sector
- Roll out the UKH sustainability guide to members focusing on providing SMEs with tips, templates and best practice resources
- Eliminate unnecessary single-use packaging by 2025
- Reduce food waste by 50% by 2030
- Incorporate sustainability skills in relevant training courses and promote the appointment of site-based sustainability champions
- Support the Hospitality Sector Council’s Sustainability Committee on the delivery of the Hospitality Strategy’s environmental targets
- Promote sign-up to external pledges, such as the Courtauld Commitment and Plastics Pact
- Facilitate engagement across supply chains to reduce environmental impacts
- Promote the roll out of EV charging points across the sector
- Work with the Hospitality Sector Council to align industry objectives and share best practice amongst businesses
UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “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.”
