Climate Net Zero 2050

Compass Group announced a commitment to reach Climate Net Zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across our global operations and value chain by 2050.

Our commitment includes ambitious emissions reduction targets over the next decade which have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), and a further commitment to be carbon neutral worldwide in our own operations (Scope 1 & 2) by 2030.

As well as driving significant reductions in our own operations, the Group will use its scale and global reach to influence and work collaboratively with clients, industry associates, governments and suppliers to reduce our direct GHG emissions, set their own Net Zero and Science Based Targets and help create a more sustainable global food system for all.

Scopes form the basis for mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting and categorise the different kinds of GHG emissions we create in our own operations and our wider value chain. 

What we can control

Scope 1 - GHG emissions emitted directly including through using fossil fuels, from gases in our refrigeration units, gas used in our owned kitchens for cooking and emissions from our vehicles.

Scope 2 - GHG emissions we are in control of making indirectly, predominantly from the electricity we buy to power our owned operations globally. 

What we can influence

Scope 3 — GHG emissions for which we are indirectly responsible, but not in control of directly, both up and down our value chain, from the greenhouse gas impact of the production of all the items we buy from our suppliers to how our products are consumed and disposed of by our consumers

This refers to all gases including carbon dioxide, methane, and refrigerants gases, all of which has a global warming potential which is measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). “Carbon emissions” is often used as an abbreviation for “Greenhouse gas emissions”.

We use this term in reference to our greenhouse gas inventory, which contains a list of all direct emissions coming from our own operations (e.g. use of fuel in our own vehicles, use of electricity), as well as indirect emissions generated by activities in our supply chain (e.g. agricultural emissions associated to the food we buy).

Proprietary Food Standards Dashboard

Bon Appétit Management Company launched the second generation of its proprietary Food Standards Dashboard in early 2022. This upgrade expanded the capabilities of the sustainability reporting tool, offering our teams and clients a comprehensive view of their cafés’ sustainability performance. From the greenhouse gas emissions related to purchasing, to the breakdown of animal versus plant proteins on menus, the tool clearly highlights where action can be taken to make the greatest environmental impact, providing us with the direction to make our operations and menus healthier and more sustainable. 

Net Zero Villages

Compass Group Australia has developed plans to turn our owned and operated mining towns into "Net Zero Villages," serving as role models for the sector across offshore and remote regions. The plans will see us convert our communities to run entirely on renewable energy, including electrifying our vehicles and equipment, establishing a circular economy for waste and water, and redesigning our food offer to be more planet positive. 

Chief Climate and Sustainability Advisor

Professor Sir Charles Godfray FRS, a renowned environmental specialist from the University of Oxford, has joined the executive team of Compass Group UK & Ireland as its Chief Climate and Sustainability Advisor.

His expertise will shape and implement our industry industry-leading goal to achieve Climate Net Zero in the UK and Ireland by 2030.

Switching to 100% renewable energy

From January 2022, Compass Group France switched to using 100% renewable energy in their direct operations. Following an internal assessment, they discovered that 82% of their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from energy consumption were from electricity. In response, the team prioritised switching to renewable energy, including working towards electrifying their vehicle fleet, equipping buildings with clean energy solutions, energy-efficient lighting and heating, and using carbon neutral materials. Across all 2,200 sites that we operate in France, outstanding environmental practices are consistently applied, which has helped Compass Group France to achieve net zero Scope 2 emissions within their 13 central kitchens.