Compass recognised for sustainability achievements

Progress of the business’ climate and wider sustainability commitments across its six sectors have been acknowledged with the organisation being recognised at the prestigious Green Business Awards and industry leading Footprint Awards

Green Business Awards

The Green Business Awards took place on 12 June 2024 and saw Compass UK & Ireland recognised as the ‘Hospitality Firm of the Year’. Judges praised the scale and ambition of its industry-leading transition plan – published earlier this year.

The event saw over 550 green business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and campaigners gathered for the second annual UK Green Business Awards. The programme was designed to highlight and reward campaigns and organisations that are striving to build an economy that is sustainable, healthier and more prosperous for all.

Footprint Awards

Further accolades were received by Compass at this year’s Footprint Awards, which took place on 13 June 2024. The Footprint Awards acknowledge environmental sustainability and responsible business practice.

Special Achievement Award

The Special Achievement Award went to Carolyn Ball, Director for Delivery of Net Zero, Compass Group UK & Ireland. Ball was acknowledged for her work publishing the company’s industry first transition plan, which reported -9.4 per cent absolute reduction in emissions inclusive of 20 per cent business growth (FY19 baseline – FY23, Scope 1,2,3). Following the launch of the Compass ‘Climate Promise’ commitment in 2021, Ball has led the strategy to create change and the report transparently outlines the achievements and learnings to date.

Sustainable Health in Hospitality Award 

Eurest was recognised for its implementation of a reformulation strategy, which reduced the carbon emissions of its most popular dishes, without compromising their nutritional profile. By substituting 40 per cent of the meat content in its 12 top selling meals, with plant-based alternatives – fibre and protein per portion have been increased. Plus, it’s created an average saving per portion of 1.39kg CO2e across 209,029 meals sold every year.

Sustainability in Education Award

Chartwells’ Sustainability Roadmap has three primary focus areas – menu reformulation, food waste and education. Chartwells was acknowledged for its achievements in analysing over 2,000 recipes with Foodsteps, which provides an accurate carbon footprint and supports culinary teams in a data driven approach, to lower carbon recipe innovation. Within its food waste focus, Chartwells implemented a strategy using a new digital food waste tracking tool, to measure and monitor food waste. The team has also made significant progress in achieving its goal of educating one million pupils on sustainable diets by 2030 – reaching 106,000 pupils in the last academic year, through sessions delivered by the nutrition team, which equip young people with the knowledge to drive change.

Speaking about the awards, Ball said: “These awards recognise the hard work of so many people. Leaning into the positive pressure that comes from setting ambitious commitments means we continue to learn from a growing and talented multi-disciplinary team. This is a privilege and we’re really grateful to all those who continue to support us.”