Pubs and bars get Net Zero nod

A group of pubs, bars and restaurants are celebrating becoming the first to achieve an ‘On the Road to Net Zero’ certification. 

The acknowledgment from the Net Zero Hospitality Initiative recognises each venue’s ongoing commitment to tackling the climate crisis.

Recipients include Lisini Pub Company in Lanarkshire in Scotland, The Assemblies Group in Bristol, Fazenda Rodizio Bar and Grill and Pig Hotels, among others. 

According to Net Zero Hospitality Initiative, the hospitality sector is responsible for up to 15% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. 

With the UK government setting a target for the whole economy to be Net Zero by 2050, the initiative aims to help hospitality businesses measure and reduce their emissions using tailored reduction plans – enabling them to unlock multiple business benefits including reducing costs, increasing customer demand and engaging staff.

The Initiative has over 2,800 venues signed up and is currently managing over 480,000 tonnes of carbon emissions on its online platform.  

What does 'On the road' mean?

All the certified venues have calculated their carbon footprint as part of the initiative and received a tailored reduction plan for the coming years. They have all now committed to annual reporting of their footprint and to reducing their scope 1 and 2 emissions by 25% over five years. As a result, they have now been awarded ‘On the road to Net Zero’ certification marks to display in their venues.  

Together, all these certified sites generate over 34,000 tonnes of carbon emissions a year –equivalent to the emissions from driving a petrol car 5,176 times around the world’s circumference. If they deliver on their agreed reduction plans, they will remove at least 1,500 tonnes of carbon emissions over the next five years. 

Newly-certified venues are already taking action to bring down their emissions, with multiple projects underway including switching to renewable energy, changing to low-energy lightbulbs, reducing food waste and reducing the use of meat on menus.  

"After 50 years as a family business, legacy is incredibly important to us," says Siobhan Edwards, director of the Lisini Pub Company. "We are delighted to be on the road to Net Zero but we have only just started and have plans to become even more sustainable. We’re taking climate action despite tough times in the hospitality industry in because we know it’s of benefit to all – it makes us more resource and energy efficient, attracts customers and motivates our staff and it will protect our planet for future generations."

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