Our journey to net zero and a climate-smart future
The impact of climate change is all too clear to see, right across the world. It will take collaborative action by governments, business, consumers, NGOs and communities to tackle this existential challenge and we are determined to play our part.
The centrepiece of our climate strategy is our ambition to achieve net zero across our value chain by 2040.
We’re also focused on eliminating single-use plastics and transitioning to sustainable packaging as well as reducing food waste such as through partnerships for discounting and donating surplus food.
Our focus areas
Pursuing net zero carbon emissions
We are committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions across our value chain (Scopes 1, 2 and 3) by 2040.
Reducing, reusing and recycling our packaging
We are committed to eliminating unnecessary single-use plastic and moving 100% of our own brand packaging to be recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025.
Reducing food waste
We are committed to reducing food waste through prevention, reuse, recycling and recovery, including partnerships for discounting and donating surplus food.
Our net-zero targets are approved by SBTi
Our net-zero targets, which include our near- and long-term targets, have been validated by Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the global body for validating emissions reduction targets in line with the latest climate science. SBTi validation confirms that our targets meet the Science Based Targets initiative Net-Zero Standard, ensuring they are credible, transparent and consistent.
Importantly, our net-zero targets cover emissions across SSP’s value chain. With nearly 90% of our emissions in Scope 3, achieving reductions relies on collaboration with our suppliers, clients and brand partners.
We are using our culinary expertise to design recipes and menus that are healthier and more sustainable, increasing our range of plant-based offerings and sourcing local and seasonal ingredients and products that meet recognised sustainability standards and certifications.
We are also continuing to optimise energy efficiency and increasing our use of renewables, as well as employing sustainability criteria in the design and construction of our units, transitioning to sustainable packaging and reducing food waste.
Find out more at sciencebasedtargets.org/companies-taking-action
We are featured in Economist Impact's 'Scope for Change' film series
The 'Scope for Change' film series is part of Value Chain Navigator, an open digital platform developed by Economist Impact and Infosys to help businesses understand and address their value chain Scope 3 GHG emissions.
At SSP, we have a science-based target to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across our value chain by 2040, against a 2019 base year. With 90% of our emissions associated with our value chain where don’t have direct control, reducing these emissions and achieving our net-zero targets is a challenging undertaking. One that requires the right commitment, measurement, strategy and partnerships.
Learn more about our approach in the 4-minute film on the Economist Impact website.
Case study
Energy efficiency and sustainable design
In 2022, we were pleased to see a 36% reduction absolute in Scope 1 and 2 emissions (vs our 2019 baseline). Our total energy consumption also reduced by 31% and 42% of our total energy in 2022 is estimated to be from renewable sources. Our energy efficiency projects included replacing equipment with more energy efficient models, implementing smart building management systems and driving energy-saving behaviour change among our colleagues. We are also focused on reducing emissions from the design and construction of our units, such as by working with partners that employ green building standards and using recycled and lower impact materials. In Gare de Montparnasse in France, for example, we worked with a range of partners to transform old railway wagons and freight cars into furniture for our new local hero concept, Paname Tap House – find out more in our Youtube video.
Case study
Sustainable packaging and zero waste
In our UK & Ireland region, we achieved our 2025 targets early, with 100% of our own-brand packaging free of single-use plastic, as well as being recyclable, reusable or compostable. We also work in collaboration with our clients to increase recycling and reduce waste. For example, in 2022, we worked in partnership with our client at Gatwick Airport in the UK to pilot a new recycling and waste segregation programme. Following the successful pilot, all our trading units at Gatwick now participate in the airport programme, helping to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill from our units by around 50%.
Case study
Reducing food waste in partnership with Too Good To Go
One of the ways we work to reduce food waste is through our partnership with Too Good To Go. The Too Good To Go app connects customers to restaurants and stores that have unsold food surplus at the end of the day. The food is bundled into ‘Magic Bags’ that customers buy through the app at a reduced price. By the end of 2022, Too Good To Go was live across 11 markets in Europe and the UK, saving over 387,000 meals from going to landfill. This is equivalent to around 968 tonnes of CO2e emissions and has social benefits in enabling customers to access great quality food at lower prices.