RED ENGINE RAISES THE BAR FOR SUSTAINABLE SOCIAL ENTERTAINMENT
11/09/2025
Red Engine, the creative force behind Flight Club and Electric Shuffle, is redefining what it means to combine unforgettable social experiences with genuine climate action. With venues across the UK and internationally, the business is committed to embedding sustainability at the heart of its operations, building a future where world-class entertainment goes hand-in-hand with environmental responsibility.
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ESTABLISH A BASELINE
with a carbon footprint to guide future actions
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MOVE TO 100% RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY
for all venues as well as improve energy efficiency across operations
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ENGAGE THE TEAM
to ensure sustainability is embedded in every-day decision making
WHO IS RED ENGINE?
Red Engine is the imaginative team behind Flight Club and Electric Shuffle - global trailblazers in social entertainment. Their story is as much about their pioneering present as it is about the journey that sparked it. While the first venue opened in 2015, the idea was ignited much earlier, inspired by a world-record-setting expedition in a fire engine and a spontaneous moment in a Devon pub. Founded by friends eager to ‘do things differently,’ Red Engine brings together a collective of creative experts to reinvent traditional games like darts and shuffleboard into immersive, joy-making experiences. Their signature venues are a clever fusion of inventive gaming technology, vibrant design, and theatrical storytelling—all designed to deliver memorable social moments for friends old and new.
THE CHALLENGE
Red Engine had made early progress with individual sustainability measures, such as LED lighting, water-saving urinals, biodegradable materials, but lacked a clear roadmap to assess and address its total environmental footprint.
The biggest challenge lay in Scope 3 emissions, which made up 94% of the company’s total impact. Purchased goods and services, particularly food and beverage, alongside new venue construction and supply chain emissions, represented the most complex and significant hurdles to overcome.
THE OBJECTIVES
The company set out to establish a clear baseline carbon footprint that would guide future action and create a formal Climate Action Plan, drawing on B Corp principles and sector best practice.
Red Engine committed to reducing its emissions intensity and setting ambitious Net Zero targets by 2040.
Alongside this, the business aimed to transition all venues to 100% renewable electricity, improve energy efficiency across operations, and engage its teams more deeply through the Yellow Ball initiative, ensuring that sustainability became embedded in everyday decision-making.
THE SOLUTION
Red Engine partnered with the Zero Carbon Forum to conduct a detailed analysis of its environmental impact—including full Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. This work identified priority areas and informed a set of targeted solutions:
72% of venues now running on renewable electricity.
Installation of equipment timers and heat regeneration systems, reducing energy use and generating two-thirds of hot water for free in 20% of venues.
Gaming software shutdown schedules saving 417 kWh of energy each month.
A new procurement policy and menu refresh, cutting ingredients by 60% and increasing plant-based options by 20%.
Upcycling 75% of venue décor and strengthening waste and water management practices.
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THE ROLE OF ZERO CARBON FORUM
The Zero Carbon Forum played a crucial role in this journey by providing expertise, guidance, and benchmarking against the wider hospitality sector.
The Forum delivered a comprehensive measurement and reporting process that covered Red Engine’s full Scope 1, 2 and 3 footprint, while also ensuring regulatory compliance and clear communication of environmental data.
Building on this foundation, the Forum helped the business design a robust Climate Action Plan containing more than 160 initiatives to progressively reduce emissions, improve efficiency, and ensure transparency along the way.
The Zero Carbon Forum was a crucial partner in helping Red Engine navigate our sustainability challenges. The Forum provided the expertise and frameworks we needed to accurately measure our full carbon footprint for the first time. This analysis was the foundation for our Climate Action Plan, a detailed roadmap that has led to significant progress. Their guidance was invaluable in helping us move from individual sustainability efforts to a strategic and data-driven approach. The partnership has not only improved our operational efficiency but has also strengthened our brand reputation and boosted employee engagement./)
Paul Barham
Co-Founder & Director, Red Engine
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KEY BENEFITS AND RESULTS
Emissions Measured
For the first time, Red Engine measured its first full footprint analysis: 15,470 tonnes of CO2
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Renewable Energy Venues
72% of Red Engine's venues are now run on renewable electricity
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Energy Savings
417 kWh saved each month just from changing when the site shuts down its software
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Circular Venue Design
75% of the decor in Red Engine's new venues is upcycled
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Menu Reformulation
60% reduction in menu ingredients
20% increase in plant-based options
IMPACT
Through this work, Red Engine has been able to measure its full carbon footprint for the first time, totalling 15,470 tonnes of CO₂.
The business has transitioned 72% of its venues to renewable electricity, directly cutting Scope 2 emissions and reinforcing its sustainability credentials.
Energy-saving initiatives, from timers to shutdown schedules, have delivered immediate reductions while also strengthening operational resilience.
Waste heat reuse systems now generate most of the hot water needs in selected venues, delivering both cost and carbon savings.
Beyond the technical achievements, Red Engine’s teams have embraced sustainability through the Yellow Ball initiative, which empowers employees to take ownership of environmental improvements in their roles. This has enhanced employee pride, strengthened engagement, and improved customer perception of the brand, aligning Red Engine with the expectations of sustainability-conscious consumers.
WHAT'S NEXT
Looking ahead, Red Engine is finalising its reduction targets based on the 2024 footprint and will publish these alongside annual reporting. The company plans to expand the use of renewable electricity across more venues and explore the feasibility of on-site solar generation. Procurement policies will continue to be refined to reduce supply chain emissions, with further improvements planned for menu design and sourcing.
The business is also preparing to carry out the first footprint analysis for Electric Shuffle venues in the USA to capture its global impact more fully. Additional efficiency measures, including reduced tap flow rates and new waste reduction initiatives, will be rolled out, while the Yellow Ballers network of employees will continue to drive accountability and innovation across all venues.
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WHAT OUR MEMBERS SAY
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