The Carbon Trust has developed a Cut Cost & Carbon Calculator specifically for the catering industry. According to the Trust, UK catering operations account for almost 2% of all business and public sector emissions in the UK.
The calculator enable users to fully understand how to enhance profitability and reduce environmental impact through a range of activities including behavioural change, kitchen design, menu complexity and equipment selection.
Over 8bn meals are served every year across 260,000 sites, costing £770m a year on energy, and resulting in 3.9m tonnes of carbon. By taking a more strategic approach to catering operations the Carbon Trust estimates that a saving of over 30% is achievable, saving over £250m in energy costs and more than a million tonnes of carbon every year.
For the full story see the July issue of Ethical Performance