Punch Pubs: We’re not sitting in an ivory tower when we talk about sustainability

Engaging and educating publicans in the right way is essential in driving forward Punch Pubs’ sustainability strategy, according to ESG lead, Jon Dale.

So, it’s important that businesses are not seen to be in “an ivory tower” whilst working in the space, Dale tells MCA.

Instead, the Punch strategy focuses on an ESG culture that “cascades and flows” throughout the pub company.

Having embarked on its sustainability journey around 2 years ago, Dale has seen a “shift change”, not just for Punch but throughout the industry, which he describes as “exponential.”

Operating a predominantly leased and tenanted model, means publican engagement is half the work.

Creating three key pillars; People, Planet, Pubs – the business is keen to make it as straightforward as possible for pubs to make greener choices to protect the planet.

“We ensure that we work together with them, because we are never going to deliver results by preaching to people.

The pub company’s official strategy is underpinned by the Punch Promise, aligned with four United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

It is aiming to reduce direct emissions by 80% by 2032 and be Net Zero by the end of 2040.

Alongside executive participation in roundtables and seminars, the brand’s Pineapples with Purpose working group brings together representatives from across the business to be “sustainability champions”, meeting to discuss initiatives and disseminate information back to their teams.

Keen to create safe spaces for its teams to converse, a monthly podcast brings in external experts to talk about key ESG topics, with guest speakers such as the Eden Project, and People’s Captain founder Greg Bateman.

Punch also operates a number of strategic partnerships to achieve its ambitions, around decarbonization, biodiversity, and waste reduction.

Alongside the Eden Project the company has vowed to create greener spaces in its pub gardens, through a ‘Pollinator Pub’ programme.

“We know there’s going to be an amount of residual emissions that we can’t account for. So ultimately we will always work with a biodiversity partner to look at how we can mitigate those.”

Punch is proud to be the first pub company to be awarded the BI sustainability Champion Award, and has also achieved Green Mark level two accreditation at its head office.

Its strategic partnership with Train Hugger, currently in its infancy, has allowed the brand to plant over 350 trees, accounting for train journeys made by its colleagues.

Other collaborative efforts include active participation in the Zero Carbon Forum, and research alongside Leeds Beckett University around consumers’ sustainability habits in pubs.

Including suppliers in the conversation, Punch has developed a Supplier Charter which outlines its ESG expectations.

The brand is trialing a five-star rating system, which Dale says will allow the company, “to identify suppliers that are performing impressively in this space, as well as supporting an understanding those that are not.”

“It does become quite reciprocal”, he adds, with suppliers now approaching the business with their own initiatives, such as a beach clean in Cornwall in collaboration with Molson Coors. 

One of the company’s largest development goals has been around its EPC rating, which has become even more poignant during the energy crisis of late.

The company has since made several improvements in this area, including boiler upgrades and bettering pub insulation.

“We’re also looking at technology”, sustainability specialist, Jessica Nicklin adds, with a trial of energy solution, Technik2, providing a significant 10% reduction – now rolled out across the management partnerships and Laine estate.

“Potentially if these volatility prices come back again, we’ll be in a far better position than we were last time.”

In addition, Punch is working with Biffa to encourage pubs to recycle more and split food waste, with a target of sending zero waste to landfill by the end of 2028, and says it is currently at around 95% of this target.

The Sustainability category at the MCA Hospitality Awards is sponsored by Pernod Ricard