Whitbread reinforces net zero commitment with new transition plan

Whitbread, the UK’s largest hospitality business, has recently published a comprehensive guide to its long-term decarbonisation plans. 

The Whitbread net zero transition plan outlines the company’s priorities, plans and projects to reach its newly validated SBTi carbon target. It will bring its directly controlled scope 1 and 2 emissions to zero by 2040.

Whitbread has also committed to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2050. This includes a reduction in Scope 3 emissions, which are derived from suppliers and others in the value chain, of over 58%/m2 by 2030, and 90%/m2 by 2050.

Dominic Paul, Whitbread CEO, said: “Our Net Zero plan is integral to our business plan. Setting ambitious carbon reduction targets across Whitbread supports our people recruitment and retention, attracts more customers and has a positive impact on our local communities and suppliers.

“We are in a strong position as one of the few hospitality businesses to own its assets to leverage our rate of change and be confident of delivering our low carbon ambitions.”

The hospitality business has confirmed its net zero target has been approved by the authoritative Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). To achieve SBTi validation, the ambition of the Scope 3 targets is greater than in the published Net Zero Transition Plan, although the actions within the plan remain unchanged and equally valid.

The plan includes a commitment to remove mains gas from its existing estate where possible, including over 800 Premier Inn hotels, using a wide range of initiatives to embed decarbonisation throughout the business. This includes the installation of Air Source Heat Pumps, solar photovoltaic panels, only using renewable energy and the installation of more energy efficient kitchen equipment.

These measures will see the firm reach zero GHG emissions by 2040 across its direct operational emissions. 

The plan follows over a decade of activity to drive down emissions, which has seen the company reduce its direct operational GHG emissions by 52.5% already.

A first major step in the plan will see Whitbread undertake a ‘net zero audit’ of all its sites, so that it can set its priorities for climate retrofitting. This exercise is already being informed by work nearly completed on the group’s first ‘all-electric’ Premier Inn, due to open its doors in Swindon later this year with no connection to a natural gas supply. 

The Swindon hotel will be fully heated and powered by renewable electricity, is built with market-leading insulation standards, energy efficient equipment and new water-heating technology.

Rosana Elias, head of sustainability, said: “We have taken a holistic approach – from how we build and operate our buildings and restaurants to how we power them through renewables, and we will work with suppliers, employees and customers to support a just transition. We want to provide sustainable and affordable accommodation and dining options, allowing our guests to make choices that align with their values without having to compromise on the product and service they receive.”