“I passionately believe that we cannot address the urgent action [for climate change] that’s needed in the world today without businesses pulling their weight and playing their part.” 

KFC UK and Ireland has announced plans to develop a ‘KFC zero-carbon restaurant’ by 2040.

Its new target forms part of an updated climate action strategy called ‘Behind the Bucket’ published today (8 July), which outlines how the fast-food giant aims to become a ‘net positive’ business. 

The company’s other commitments include becoming a “circular zero-waste business” across its food, packaging, and materials by 2035.

KFC UK&I will work with the University of Liverpool’s Zero Carbon Research Institute as part of a collaborative project to plan out working models of restaurants with zero carbon impact.

The initiative will delve into ways to reduce embodied and operational carbon from KFC’s venues through on-site and purchased renewable energy, low-carbon building materials, and other low carbon technologies.

Experts will also compare live data on emissions and energy use from KFC branches with simulated scenarios to analyse and identify decarbonisation solutions and strategies.

To further its climate action goals, KFC UK&I has also signed up to the British Retail Consortium’s net-zero roadmap, developed to transition the industry to net-zero by 2040.

Furthermore, it is a founding member of the Zero Carbon Forum’s new coalition of hospitality businesses set up to support the sector in achieving net-zero emissions

‘Businesses must play their part to address climate emergency’

Paula MacKenzie, KFC UK&I’s managing director said: “It’s incumbent on us all to address the climate emergency and combat the long- and short-term effects of global warming on the environment and on people.

“Anything short of that will lead to failure, and I passionately believe that we cannot address the urgent action that’s needed in the world today without businesses pulling their weight and playing their part. 

‘Achieving net-zero is possible’

Mark Chapman, founder and chief executive of The Zero Carbon Forum’s added: “It is only through innovative partnerships and acknowledging the need to change that businesses can hope to make progress on their journey towards net-zero – and this is exactly what KFC is doing.

“Through this collaborative approach, KFC UK&I will undoubtedly reach its stretching sustainability targets and we look forward to working with them over the coming weeks, months and years.”

Dr Stephen Finnegan is the director and founder of the Zero Carbon Research Institute. Echoing MacKenzie’s stance of businesses playing their part, he said the project was an important “first step” to prove that restaurants can achieve net-zero status.

 “It will take time and considerable effort, but it will be worth it, and we are 100% sure that achieving NZC is possible,” Finnegan said.

• Read: Co-op slashes price of plant-based meat as part of zero-carbon by 2040 plan

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