Sustainability
We need to meet government targets on sustainability and encourage all hospitality operators to reduce their carbon footprint.
- 11m tonnes of carbon in emissions produced by our industry – accounting for 5% of business and public sector emissions in the UK
- Hospitality and Leisure is the 3rd largest area of consumer consumption of carbon after homes and transport closely tracked by retail. (Source: The Carbon Trust)
The above statements underline the fact that hospitality has a significant foot print and highlight why sustainability is a key advocacy priority for BHA.
Our strength as an association is that we bring together the whole food service industry working with partners including Philips Lighting, Nestle Professional and LG Electronic as well as organisations such as The Carbon Trust, WRAP and Waterwise supports members with case studies and practical toolkits as they continue to reduce their carbon footprints and improve resource efficiency.
The British government has its own internationally agreed targets to achieve and our industry recognises the contribution it must make. It is a shared responsibility.
The core hospitality sector is already making an important contribution to the country’s targets for reductions in energy and water consumption and there is a considerable level of expertise on the subject.
Many member organisations had placed sustainability at the heart of their strategy well before the global concensus had emerged. It is estimated that hospitality will contribute about eight per cent of the reduction to carbon emissions expected to arise from the implementation of the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme. However, we recognise that there is also a considerable administrative burden arising from the scheme and we welcome the review by the Department for Energy and Climate Change.
Members are finding that significant investment in energy data collection and control are needed and the risk is that these costs of compliance face the danger of taking resources away from direct investments in energy efficiency.
Thought it is mainly the larger organisations which have made sustainability a central feature of their organisation structure, the progress being made by many independent members in the UK in reducing water usage and energy consumption is considerable.
Case studies from our members demonstrate the wide-ranging expertise, creativity and commitment that already exist in the hospitality industry and the opportunities to improve and demonstrate leadership as we seek to decarbonise the economy and improve resource efficiency.
Read member case studies:
