Whitbread has outlined plans to reduce its carbon emissions by 26% by 2020, the first time the company has publically announced its aims on carbon reduction.
The vow came as the
Premier Inn and
Costa Coffee operator announced that it has cut emissions by 4% over the past two years, equivalent to saving 8,562 tonnes of CO
2 - or taking 2,446 cars off the road.
In recognition of this achievement, Whitbread has been awarded the
Carbon Trust Standard. The standard requires organisations to measure, manage and reduce their carbon footprint and actually make real reductions year-on-year.
Alan Parker, chief executive of Whitbread, said: “Committing to this carbon reduction target is a statement of our determination to drive down emissions and ensure that we operate as efficiently and sustainably as possible.
“By taking the lead, we can help our customers to make a difference and show that action on the environment is most effective when we all work together.”
The commitment forms part of ‘Good Together’, the umbrella for Whitbread's company-wide initiatives to improve sustainability.
Good Together will focus on seven themes, setting targets for achievement and behavioural change in each. These are: environment; employee engagement; sourcing of products and services; standards and performance measurement; customer engagement; and health and community.
Whitbread’s move comes ahead of the launch of new legislation, the
Carbon Reduction Commitment, which is designed to help the Government meet the 80% greenhouse gas reduction target set out in the Climate Change Act.
The CRC, which comes into effect in April, is a mandatory, auction-based emissions trading scheme targeted at large, non-energy-intensive companies including hotel groups.
Premier Inn to launch its first green hotel >>
Archaic lease agreements will prevent businesses meeting emissions targets >> Carbon Trust initiative could save operators £37m in energy costs >> £25m green hotel opens in Glasgow >>
By Daniel Thomas
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