- Investor Watch -
Nando’s commits to zero direct carbon emissions
Published August 5, 2020
Nando’s, the South African restaurant chain, has revealed ambitious plans to reduce the carbon footprint of its meals by close to 50% and achieve zero direct emissions by 2030, all of this without relying on carbon offsetting.
All of the chain’s restaurants in the UK are already run on 100% renewable electricity, and the new plans also aim to make all gas supplies 40% renewable by October this year and 100% by 2022.
“Nando’s has always focused on trying to change lives for the better, on behalf of our customers and our teams. Over the last four years our sustainability initiatives have significantly reduced our carbon footprint, but today we are launching ambitious new commitments which will set a strong example for what our industry can do to make a genuine difference,” said Colin Hill, Nando’s chief executive for UK and Ireland.
The company will also work with suppliers to reduce carbon impact in the chain and is also looking to expand its plant-based menu.
Another one of the key actions Nando’s will be undertaking will be, through a variety of partnerships and initiatives and as part of the “Better Chicken Commitment”, to improve the welfare of the chickens it sources, most notably by changing the feeding habits through introducing insects and algae.
The new climate commitments have already been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
In a comment for The Independent, director of food business at Compassion in World Farming, Dr Tracey Jones said:
“Nando’s has made this commitment at a time of great uncertainty, particularly in the food service sector, as the world deals with the effects of COVID-19. Now, more than ever, responsible food production with the animal and environment at its heart, is of the utmost importance and we applaud Nando’s forging ahead with their plans.”
The chain has actively pushing towards sustainability across its restaurants, including the use of 100% LED lighting, investing in equipment to reduce consumption, as well as using 100% renewable electricity in England, Scotland and Wales.
