Compass Group UK & Ireland, the UK's largest caterer, has launched Our Planet Promise, a new sustainability strategy targeting net zero by 2040, the company announced.

According to Foodservice Equipment Journal, the strategy builds on measurable progress including greenhouse gas emissions reductions, waste management improvements, responsible ingredient sourcing and healthier meal provision. Since committing to net zero, Compass Group UK & Ireland has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 7.5% compared with 2019, whilst delivering 53% business growth over the same period.

Direct emissions declined by 84%, driven by electric vehicle adoption, increased renewable gas use and more efficient on-site energy consumption. Energy-related emissions fell by 81%, reflecting increased renewable electricity use and energy efficiency measures across owned and operated sites.

Supply-chain emissions decreased by 6.5% overall through improved emissions factors and procurement changes, including sourcing less carbon-intensive ingredients. Excluding acquisitions from calculations, the business achieved approximately 23% emissions reduction.

Emissions intensity fell by 39%, from 0.53 kg CO₂e per £ revenue in financial year 2019 to 0.32 kg CO₂e per £ revenue in financial year 2025. In the past financial year, Compass repurposed over 1 million litres of waste cooking oil as biofuels, reduced food waste by 8% and donated 114 tonnes of food, equivalent to 254,000 meals.

The company ensured 84% of single-use foodservice items are now recyclable, reusable or compostable. Deforestation risk has been removed from almost all major raw materials, including over 98% deforestation-free palm oil, 99% deforestation-free wood, over 96% deforestation-free beef and 94% direct soy deforestation-free.

Robin Mills, chief executive at Compass Group UK & Ireland, said: "Over the past five years, our business has undergone extraordinary transformation and growth. Operating sustainably has remained a guiding principle throughout."

Read the complete article to understand the sustainability strategy and progress metrics.