Nando’s commits to zero-carbon direct emissions, won’t rely on offsetting

Nando's has unveiled a new commitment to achieve zero direct emissions and reduce the carbon footprint of its meals by almost 50% by 2030, with the company confirming that it will not rely on carbon offsetting to reach the new targets.


Nando’s commits to zero-carbon direct emissions, won’t rely on offsetting

Nando’s will also work with its suppliers to help them reduce their carbon impacts and will increase the amount of plant-based meals on its menu. Image Nando's press

Nando’s has already reduced the carbon footprint of its average meals by 40% since 2015 and has now set new climate commitments that have been approved and validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

The restaurant chain is aiming to achieve absolute zero direct emissions while reducing the average Nando’s meal by almost 50% by 2030. Crucially, the new targets state that this will be delivered as an absolute reduction in emissions, as opposed to through carbon offsetting.

Nando’s chief executive for UK and Ireland Colin Hill said: “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.”

Currently, most Nando’s restaurants in the UK are supplied with 100% renewable electricity, and in order to meet the new science-based targets, the company will now commit to making all its UK restaurant gas supplies 100% renewable by 2022, starting with at least 40% renewable gas by October 2020.

Nando’s will also work with its suppliers to help them reduce their carbon impacts and will increase the amount of plant-based meals on its menu.

Chicken welfare

Nando’s is also collaborating with a range of industry partners to improve the welfare of the chickens it sources. The company will continue partnerships with the Sustainable Restaurant Association, Future Planet and the UKSSD to improve the overall sustainability of the sector. This includes continuing dialogue with the UK Round Table on Sustainable Soy to reduce deforestation.

Announced alongside the new climate goals is a commitment to improving chicken welfare policies. Nando’s has partnered with Compassion in World Farming, FAI Farms and the Soil Association to introduce a new action plan in this area.

Nando’s has signed the Better Chicken Commitment, for example, pledging to implement higher standards of chicken welfare in its supply chains by 2026. Nando’s has reiterated that it will never use chlorinate chicken, which is emerging as a key sticking point in trade negotiations with the US.

Commenting on the new targets, Andrew Stephen, chief executive, The Sustainable Restaurant Association, said: “Having worked closely with Nando’s since 2015, we know they have been prioritising the planet for years, behind the scenes. Going public on these ambitious, science-based targets is both bold and laudable.

“No one foodservice business can deliver the required changes on their own and we sincerely hope that this major commitment will inspire other operators to measure their impact and set their own targets so that together we can make food good. Signing up to the Better Chicken Commitment, a move that will improve the lives of millions of birds, is another significant step, and again one we trust will encourage even more businesses to follow suit.”

Matt Mace

Comments (1)

  1. David Dundas says:

    The Nando commitment to greening their energy use is commendable, but needs to remember that burning any gas in air, even hydrogen, will produce NOx because our air is 80% nitrogen and a flame oxidises it. NOx are minor greenhouse gasses and are bad for our health, so all Nando’s heating needs to be by fossil-free electricity by 2050.

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