Premier Inn owner Whitbread aims to slash its direct CO2 emissions to zero by 2040 by removing mains gas connections from its entire estate.
Whitbread unveiled its net zero targets today noting they have been validated by the independent Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
The hospitality group’s targets include the purchase of 100% renewable electricity across its estate by 2026 and 100% of its new-build developments in the UK to be constructed to ‘net zero’ specifications by 2026.
Whitbread has also set an SBTi-validated net zero target for all emissions by 2050.
The company aims to cut its scope 1 (direct CO2 emissions) and scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat and cooling) to zero by 2040.
Scope 3 emissions includes everything else, with Whitbread aiming at a 58% reduction by 2030 and a 90% reduction across its ‘value chain’ by 2050.
The first all-electric Premier Inn is due to open in Swindon later this year, “fully heated and powered by renewable electricity”, both from the grid and on-site sources.
The FTSE-100 listed company published a Whitbread Net Zero Transition Plan today outlining its “priorities, plans and projects” to reach its newly validated SBTi carbon targets.
The plan includes a commitment to remove mains gas from more than 800 Premier Inn hotels.
Whitbread said it will use “a wide range of initiatives to embed decarbonisation throughout the business”, including “installation of Air Source Heat Pumps, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, only using renewable energy and installation of more energy-efficient kitchen equipment”.
It hailed the SBTi’s “rigorous, scientific process of validation”, suggesting this sets Whitbread “apart from its competitors in the budget hotel sector”.
The company said it has already reduced its direct operational greenhouse gas emissions by 52.5% over 10 years and will now undertake a ‘net zero audit’ of its sites to set priorities for climate retrofitting.
Whitbread chief executive Dominic Paul said: “Our net zero plan is integral to our business plan. Setting ambitious carbon reduction targets across Whitbread supports our recruitment and retention, attracts more customers and has a positive impact on our local communities and suppliers.”
He noted: “We’re in a strong position, as one of the few hospitality businesses to own its assets, to be confident of delivering our low carbon ambitions.”
Rosana Elias, Whitbread head of sustainability, added: “We’ve been working on reducing our climate impact for a while.”
She noted the company has “successfully trialled” installing air source heat pumps in 40 hotels and uses solar power across more than 20% of its estate.
Elias said: “We don’t claim to have all the answers now. Our plan will evolve over time as the technologies and policies we rely on develop.”