Nando’s makes bold carbon cutting commitment

As Nando’s fires up its grills to welcome customers in Northern Ireland back into its restaurants, it has vowed to become carbon neutral across its scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by November.

The move is a major first step to becoming Net Zero by 2030 – a major new commitment ahead of the UN’s COP26 Summit which takes place in Glasgow.

Colin Hill, Nando’s CEO for UK and Ireland, said: “At the heart of our business lies the aspiration to change lives for the better; for our teams, for our customers and for the communities in which we work.

“Ten years ago, we recognised that to truly change lives we had to set a course to become a more sustainable business. We have made good progress over that time but this marks a significant shift in both the scale and pace of our ambitions.

‘Saving lives’

“We will be carbon neutral this year by partnering with initiatives that not only protect our planet, but at the same time change lives.

“In practice this means that when our customers eat at Nando’s, we will support projects in Southern Africa that cut carbon emissions equivalent to those associated with their meal.

“We have set the ambition to become Net Zero by 2030 and the work to realise this ambition starts today.”

The pledge means that as well as doing all it can to cut its own emissions, in line with the science on climate change, Nando’s is taking responsibility for those that can’t be avoided, through carbon offsets that finance climate and development projects elsewhere – in this case, in Nando’s homeland of South Africa and surrounding countries that provide Nando’s vital ingredients.

Nando’s is implementing a comprehensive strategy to cut emissions:

• Restaurants in England Scotland and Wales already run on 100% renewable electricity and gas, with those in Ireland set to follow.
• The recent new menu offerings created for the reopening includes more plant-based options than ever before, enabling customers to make lower-carbon choices.
• Nando’s is working with suppliers to reduce emissions, including those associated with chicken farming, whilst also improving welfare.

Zero Carbon Forum CEO Mark Chapman said: “It’s great to see Nando’s take this bold next step in their journey to tackle the climate crisis.

“Rooted in science and based on a rigorous methodology, this is exactly the approach being suggested and supported by the Zero Carbon Forum.”