Through their sustainability programme ‘Force for Good’, Whitbread is committed to ensure their business has a positive impact on all their stakeholders and the world. To deliver this vision, the company has set long-term strategic targets. Their aims include reaching net zero by 2040, eliminating unnecessary single-use plastic by 2025 and cutting food waste by 50% by 2030. Whitbread owns and operates the majority of its properties, and with over 800 hotels and 400 restaurants in the UK and a growing footprint in Germany this puts them in a unique position to make a real impact at scale.
Whitbread’s sustainability work has a strong focus on people and communities. This includes responsible sourcing of key commodities, supplier risk assessments to ensure the human rights of workers, and leading work on sustainable cotton. Whitbread has been rated as a top employer by the Top Employers Institute for 12 years, and contributes to communities through volunteering, charity fundraising, over 600,000 meal donations to charity partners and the donation of bedding in aid of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
By becoming part of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, Whitbread is joining a global network which represents almost 40% of the industry by rooms and brings the hospitality industry together with strategic and supply chain partners to work collectively on issues affecting the planet and its people.
Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, said: “We are delighted to welcome Whitbread into our growing membership. Their prominence in the UK market, combined with their strong focus on their people, local communities and the environment, will bring valuable insight and practical expertise to our community of responsible hospitality leaders. By working together as an industry, we can ensure that we are giving back to society and local destinations, and make net positive hospitality a reality.”
Rosana Elias, Head of Sustainability at Whitbread said: “We’re incredibly pleased to be joining the Alliance. ESG is a really important area of focus and we’re clear that by working together with our peers, innovating and collaborating, we will all stand a better chance of driving forward positive change. We’re delighted to continue our work in this area as part of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and support the move towards a net positive hospitality industry”.
Tags: Whitbread, Premier Inn, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
