THE BUSINESS CASE FOR CLIMATE ACTION
A practical guide to winning support.
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Convincing internal stakeholders to prioritise sustainability can feel like an uphill battle.
Taking action on climate is both the right thing to do and a smart business decision. From cutting costs to building a future-ready brand, there’s a strong case for embedding sustainability into your operations.
Whether you’re reducing costs, inspiring loyalty, or meeting growing stakeholder expectations, climate action delivers real returns. We have put together the net zero business case to rally your team, engage stakeholders, and quicken your actions toward a sustainable, resilient future.
BENEFITS OF CLIMATE ACTION
EFFICIENCY
CUT CARBON, CUT COSTS
BRAND
WIN HEARTS AND MINDS
RESILIENCE
FUTURE-PROOF YOUR OPERATIONS
REGULATION & INVESTOR DEMANDS
STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME
EFFICIENCY
CUT CARBON, CUT COSTS
Climate action is about doing the right thing for the planet and your business.
With global temperatures on track to hit the critical 1.5°C mark by 2034, the impact on our food systems is already being felt.
Potato crops are struggling under relentless rain, pushing costs up by 60% year-on-year.
Orange trees are suffering in the heat, sending orange juice prices soaring by 350%.
Sales are also impacted by extreme weather – across Great Britain in 2022, sales were down 25.7% as a result of Storm Eunice, and 8.2% due to record hot temperatures.
These are some of the challenges businesses face in an increasingly unpredictable climate.
But here’s the good news: tackling carbon emissions can also tackle costs.
Collaborate with suppliers to make crops more resilient and less carbon-intensive—like Pizza Pilgrims did with basil, increasing crop efficiency and lowering waste while securing supply.
Reimagine dishes to reduce carbon and cut costs without sacrificing flavour. Chefs are using alternative meat cuts, swapping meat for mushrooms (a resilient, flavourful crop), or reducing meat content altogether.
Sell the sizzle by focusing on what is in the dish like “spicy Mexican bean tacos” or “smoky red pepper hummus.” This simple shift in menu language has been shown to boost sales of sustainable dishes by up to 40%.
Harness our industry-leading tech to track your emissions, build the business case for change, and communicate with stakeholders, whether it’s investors, employees, or customers. Data-driven decisions lead to targeted savings and a clear path to meeting your climate goals.
With our help, 7 operators have saved £3.9m through energy reduction initiatives alone.
Revolution Bars saved £180K by tweaking just one cocktail recipe.
For every £1,000 invested in food waste reduction, the average operator reaps a £14,000 return (WRAP).
In a sector where average margins hover at just 5%, rising costs are an existential threat. In 2025, the hospitality industry is staring down a £500m hit from reduced business rate relief and £1.9bn in extra labour costs from National Insurance and wage increases. To maintain margins, businesses would need to generate an additional £20,000 in revenue for every £1,000 taxed, a nearly impossible feat for many.
The solution? Climate action that cuts costs through energy efficiency, waste reduction, or menu innovation. Every step toward net zero is a step toward a stronger, more sustainable future for your business.
Let’s make those numbers work for you.
BRAND
WIN HEARTS AND MINDS
Climate action isn’t just good for the planet - it’s essential for building a brand that resonates with your stakeholders. In an era where both customers and employees expect more from businesses, sustainability is no longer optional; it’s a powerful differentiator.
Today’s consumers are putting their money where their values are:
41% of diners are likely to choose a pub or restaurant based on its sustainability commitments.*
That number jumps to 64% among 18-34-year-olds, the future of hospitality.*
37% are willing to spend more with brands that demonstrate strong sustainability credentials.*
88% of consumers are more likely to be loyal to a company that supports social and environmental causes**
Businesses like Pizza Pilgrims and Honest Burgers are leading the way by making sustainability a core part of their identity.
Pizza Pilgrims, as a proud B-Corp, have cemented their commitment to balancing profit with purpose, proving to customers that they’re serious about creating a positive impact. This resonates with values-driven diners, particularly younger audiences, who want their spending to align with their beliefs.
For these operators, sustainability is key to creating loyal fans and a brand that stands for something bigger.
*source: Nutritics and hospitality data and insights consultancy CGA by NIQ, "Sustainability Matters: What consumers want and how brands can respond"
** source: Forbes
Employees want to work for companies that share their values. Ignoring sustainability can cost more than just your reputation, it can cost your best people:
19% of employees have left their jobs due to a perceived lack of commitment to sustainability.*
94% of hospitality staff consider a company’s social and environmental responsibility when choosing a place to work*
Younger workers, in particular, are drawn to businesses that prioritise purpose alongside profit.
Sustainability initiatives create pride and engagement within teams.
By involving employees in meaningful change, whether it’s reducing waste, sourcing responsibly, or cutting carbon, you empower them to be part of something bigger.
This not only builds retention but also fosters a culture of innovation and resilience.
*Sources: Nutritics / CGA by NiQ
Brands that lead on sustainability are positioning themselves for long-term success. By aligning with customer and employee values, you can create a powerful narrative, build loyalty, and unlock competitive advantages.
Climate action can ensure you build a brand that people want to support, work for, and celebrate.
RESILIENCE
FUTURE-PROOF YOUR OPERATIONS
In an unpredictable world, resilience is key to survival. It helps to build businesses and supply chains that can weather uncertainty and thrive in the face of change.
By focusing on sustainability, companies can create more robust operations, reduce risk, and secure their future.
The supply chain disruptions caused by climate change are already being felt. From extreme weather affecting crop yields to volatile energy and food prices, businesses are facing growing challenges to maintain stable and reliable operations.
Investing in sustainable practices helps mitigate these risks:
Companies such as Drake and Morgan and Honest Burgers are adopting regenerative agriculture practices to create healthier ecosystems that are better able to withstand climate shocks.
Pizza Pilgrims embraced nearshoring by working with London-based suppliers to grow basil locally. This not only reduced carbon emissions but also ensured a more reliable supply chain, cutting out the risks associated with importing.
Transitioning to sustainable sourcing is a responsible and strategic move that ensures continuity.
A resilient business is one that can adapt and thrive, even in the face of rising costs and regulatory pressures. Climate action builds operational resilience by reducing dependencies on volatile resources like fossil fuels.
Mitchells & Butlers have installed solar panels across 100 UK sites, generating onsite energy that cuts costs and shields them from fluctuations in energy prices. These investments in renewable energy ensure long-term stability and lower overheads.
Investing in energy efficiency and waste reduction has helped hospitality operators across the UK save millions of pounds. These actions can improve margins and build financial resilience against external pressures like rising taxes and labour costs.
Building resilience through climate action is a strategic imperative for long-term success.
Convincing internal stakeholders to act on climate is about doing the right thing for the planet and business:
Minimise risk - Reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to sustainable practices mitigates exposure to supply chain disruptions, resource scarcity, and future regulations.
Unlock opportunity - A resilient business is better positioned to adapt to market shifts, attract investment, and innovate.
Future-proof your operations - Sustainability ensures your business can withstand the challenges of tomorrow while thriving today.
REGULATION & INVESTOR DEMANDS
STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE
Sustainability is not just a “nice-to-have” feature for businesses, it’s a necessity.
Regulatory requirements are tightening, and investors are prioritising companies that can demonstrate strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.
Staying ahead on climate action ensures compliance, attracts investment, and secures long-term viability.
Governments worldwide are raising the bar on sustainability standards, and businesses must adapt to remain competitive.
In the UK, Sustainability Disclosure Standards are set to make transparent reporting mandatory for many companies.
These regulations require businesses to measure, manage, and disclose their impact on the environment, bringing sustainability from the sidelines to centre stage.
Failing to meet these requirements risks financial penalties and reputational damage, and for some industries, exclusion from lucrative opportunities like public contracts.
Investors are placing sustainability at the heart of their decision-making.
Recent research shows:
80% of global investors now have sustainable investment policies in place.*
PwC reports that investors are demanding greater clarity on ESG data, with transparency and action serving as key indicators of long-term business viability.
Forward-thinking businesses are reaping the rewards. By embracing climate action, you’ll:
Enhance credibility - Meeting and exceeding regulatory standards builds trust with investors and stakeholders.
Attract capital - Sustainable businesses are seen as lower-risk and future-proof, making them more attractive to investors.
Create a competitive edge - Aligning with investor and regulatory priorities positions you as a leader in your sector.
*Source: Deloitte & Tufts Survey, 2023
Regulators and investors have made their priorities clear: sustainability is the future of business. By acting now, you can stay ahead of tightening regulations, unlock investment opportunities, and position your business as a responsible, resilient leader.
For more information on the latest regulations, visit UK Sustainability Reporting Standards.
CASE STUDIES
Take a look at our case study library to learn how hospitality and brewing companies are making tangible, credible progress.
PIZZA PILGRIMS JOURNEY TO NET ZERO
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Pizza Pilgrims has embraced resilient new ways of securing ingredients by sourcing local, hydroponically grown basil from Harvest London, addressing supply chain challenges driven by climate change's impact on European basil farms.
Read moreBLUESTONE NATIONAL PARK JOURNEY TO NET ZERO
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Nestled in the heart of Pembrokeshire, Wales, Bluestone National Park Resort is a premier luxury short-break destination. With over 400 lodges, cottages, and studio apartments set across 500 acres, the resort offers a unique escape within Britain's only coastal national park.
Read moreAlastair and the team have been great over the years. As well as preparing and verifying our SECR report for Companies House, we have completed a Scope 1, 2, and 3 baseline and will do a full volume-based Scope 3 next. From here we will set some science based targets. We are a complex resort business with many intricacies around supply. The ZCC team have worked closely with us to drill right down into the detail and always have time for our many questions./)
Marten Lewis
Bluestone Resorts
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We’re on track to save a thousand tonnes of carbon this year across our restaurants through our teams taking action every day to reduce their energy use. We’ve launched our Green Mission to help tackle the climate crisis by reducing our own emissions with each restaurant receiving a carbon statement each week to show how they can reduce their impact./)
Clare Hussey
TGI Fridays
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For the second year running, the Zero Carbon Services team have provided excellent support in assisting us to prepare our Scopes 1,2 & 3 footprint. The calculations were particularly complex given our multi-segmented business, however their understanding and dedication to getting the right output was impressive. The whole exercise ran like a project including objectives, timescales, production of a methodology statement and analytics dashboard, all concluding with a debrief session with learnings how to simplify further for next time. They helped make a complex task straightforward.
Spencer Bloomberg
Stonegate Group
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Rally your team, engage stakeholders, and quicken your actions toward a sustainable, resilient future.
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