Punch Pubs & Co has unveiled its inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report – Punch Promise – highlighting the business’ ongoing commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices.
Punch’s strategy, which forms a part of their ‘Doing Well, By Doing Good’ programme, is underpinned by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the aim of helping its pubs to contribute towards the world’s goals, albeit at a local level.
The business has identified four SDGs that are most relevant and has set ambitious commitments and targets to tackle these.
The SDGs are part of the largest and best-understood framework, adopted by more than 80% of leading businesses.
Goal 3 – Good Health & Well-being
Aimed at promoting and enabling both physical and mental well-being, ensuring that Punch is a great place to work and encourages the communities that it serves to consider health choices.
Goal 7 – Affordable & Clean Energy
Aimed at accelerating the transition to clean energy.
Goal 8 – Decent Work & Economic Growth
Ensuring good working conditions whilst supporting sustainable economic growth.
Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption & Production
A focus on achieving zero waste to landfill, educating and supporting suppliers on sustainable choices, and achieving net zero by the end of 2040, aligned to the science-based targets initiative.
Punch has already taken significant steps towards reducing its carbon emissions and has introduced innovative employee mental health, diversity and inclusion programmes as part of their ‘Push the Pineapple’ initiative.
The team has also developed relevant strategic partnerships, implemented energy audits/saving solutions and a behaviour change programme, as well as starting to roll out smart metering, parcel lockers and electric vehicle charging points across their pub portfolio.
Chief Executive Officer, Clive Chesser, said: “We’re on an exciting journey, and ongoing collaboration with our employees, Publicans, Management Partners, and suppliers is helping to make our business and, in turn their business’, more ethical and environmentally friendly for the benefit of our guests and the communities that we serve.
“We are focused on offering safe and supportive spaces that provide reasons for people to visit whilst having a positive impact on society.”
You can read the report, including Punch’s overarching commitments and targets in more detail at: www.punchpubs.com/promise
