Heineken joins Net Zero Now as industry partner
The pub operator and brewer joins Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Pernod Ricard UK and the Sustainable Restaurant Association in helping support climate action across the hospitality industry.
According to Net Zero Now, the hospitality sector is responsible for up to 15% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions one.
With the Government’s target for the economy to be net zero by 2050, the climate action organisation has also developed its Net Zero Pubs and Bars initiative, which was launched in 2021.
Industry methodology
It has been built around the Net Zero Hospitality protocol – an industry-standard methodology for measuring and reporting emissions from firms, which has been developed in collaboration with the industry in a bid to ensure consistent interpretation of the global carbon accounting guidelines across the sector.
On its partnership with Net Zero Now, Heineken UK on-trade director Will Rice said: “The need to reduce energy usage and be more efficient has never been more important for pubs and bars and we want to play a part in supporting operators to become more sustainable and progress along their own journey towards carbon reduction in their businesses.
“The hospitality sector is responsible for up to 15% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions and the UK Government has set a target for the whole economy to be Net Zero by 2050.”
Fundamental step
As part of the venture, Heineken UK has offered a set number of new SmartDispense customers a free membership to the Net Zero Pubs and Bars initiative.
The scheme has been designed to help hospitality firms measure and reduce their emissions, aiming to offer operators an affordable way to assess their climate impact, set targets and plan action to meet them.
Rice added: “Having the tools and resources to do so in the most cost-effective and operational efficient way possible is key so we’re excited to be able to provide our customers with access to Net Zero Pubs and Bars memberships, increasing quality and efficiency while reducing operational costs and emissions.
“This is a fundamental step forward and we’re thrilled to be working with Net Zero Now on this brilliant initiative.”
Net Zero Now managing director Neil Ross Russell said he was delighted Heineken UK was supporting the initiative.
He added: “While we are fully aware of the demands and difficulties pubs and bars have to deal with on a daily basis in this economic climate, we know plugging into a route to Net Zero will benefit their bottom line as well as having a positive impact on their employees, customers and the planet.”
