J D Wetherspoon
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:Not disclosed
Scope 1 Emissions:Not disclosed
Scope 2 Emissions:Not disclosed
Scope 3 Emissions:Not disclosed
Renewable Energy Share:100% (from October 2022 for UK pubs and head office)
Total Energy Consumption:Not disclosed
Water Consumption:Not disclosed
Waste Generated:5958 tons/year (2020/21)
Carbon Intensity:Not disclosed
ESG Focus Areas
- Environment
- Responsible Retailing
- People
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced waste sent to recycling center by 2,334 tonnes (28% decrease) in 2020/21.
- Achieved zero waste to landfill.
- Reduced paper use for menus and marketing materials by about 35% in the last three years.
- 99.1% of pubs achieved the maximum five stars for the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme by September 2021.
Social Achievements
- Recognized by the Top Employers Institute as a ‘Top Employer United Kingdom’ for 17 consecutive years.
- Promoted over 555 hourly paid staff to management positions in 2020/21.
- Paid £23m in bonuses and free shares to employees in FY21, with 99.6% going to staff below board level and 89.8% to pub staff.
- Donated over 300 meals a week to FareShare on average.
- Donated 24 tonnes of food (54,143 meals) to 1,118 charities between January 2020 and June 2021.
Governance Achievements
- Established a ‘code of conduct for responsible retailing’.
- Implemented antibribery and corruption policy based on the Bribery Act 2010.
- Implemented a strict corporate hospitality policy.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Not disclosed
Medium-term Goals:
- 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.
- 70% of plastic packaging to be effectively recycled or composted by 2025.
- 30% average recycled content across plastic packaging by 2025.
- Eliminate problematic or unnecessary single-use plastic items by 2025.
Short-term Goals:
- Install public-access defibrillators at as many pubs as possible by July 2022.
- By end of 2022, no children's main meal or dessert to exceed 50% of recommended daily intake for calories, salt, and/or sugar.
Environmental Challenges
- Scope 3 emissions represent an estimated 65–70% of total emissions.
- Reducing energy consumption across all pubs.
- Reducing food waste, particularly due to lockdowns and pub closures.
Mitigation Strategies
- Working with Carbon Intelligence to measure carbon emissions and agree on science-based targets for net-zero emissions.
- Implementing energy-efficient technology (free-air cellar-cooling, sensor lighting, LED lighting, Lossnay heat-recovery systems).
- Installing smart electricity meters and gas AMRs.
- Implementing initiatives to reduce food waste (smaller portion sizes, food donation to FareShare).
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Regular risk-based supplier audits
Responsible Procurement
- Globally recognised food production standards (e.g., British Retail Consortium)
- Detailed product specifications
- Complete product traceability
- Regular DNA testing
- Supplier charter outlining requirements and policies
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: Null
Certifications: MSC Chain of Custody certification
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Not disclosed
Awards & Recognition
- Loo of the Year Awards (multiple)
- Sustainable Restaurant Association – Waste No Food Award (2018)
- Numerous awards for pub design
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:107,749 tCO2e/year
Scope 1 Emissions:41,324 tCO2e/year
Scope 2 Emissions:65,971 tCO2e/year
Scope 3 Emissions:Not disclosed
Renewable Energy Share:100% (UK electricity since October 2022)
Total Energy Consumption:434,077,804 kWh/year
Water Consumption:Not disclosed
Waste Generated:10,680 tons/year
Carbon Intensity:61.9 tonnes CO2e/£m revenue (FY2022)
ESG Focus Areas
- Environment
- Responsible Retailing
- People
- Community
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 49.5% since FY2014.
- Recycled 10,680 tonnes of waste in FY2022.
- Achieved zero waste to landfill.
- 100% renewable electricity in UK pubs since October 2022.
Social Achievements
- Top Employers UK accreditation for 17 consecutive years.
- Over 427 employees undertaking an apprenticeship.
- Raised over £1m for Young Lives vs Cancer (UK) and €100,000 for LauraLynn (Ireland).
- 98.6% of pubs achieved a five-star Food Hygiene Rating.
Governance Achievements
- Established anti-bribery and anti-corruption policy.
- Implemented a supplier charter outlining ethical sourcing requirements.
- Member of Sedex, promoting responsible sourcing data sharing.
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Net zero emissions by 2050.
Medium-term Goals:
- 80% reduction in scope 1 emissions and 46% in scope 2 emissions by 2030.
Short-term Goals:
- Recycle 95% of recyclable waste.
- Zero waste to landfill.
- Reduce total sugar by 20% by 2025.
- By 2025, no dessert or individual product to contain more than 50% of the daily recommended intake of total sugar.
- By 2025, 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable; 70% effectively recycled or composted; 30% average recycled content.
Environmental Challenges
- Measuring carbon emissions in the supply chain (Scope 3) is complex.
- Reducing Scope 3 emissions requires a partnership approach with suppliers.
Mitigation Strategies
- Allocating carbon emissions for every product sold.
- Working with Carbon Intelligence and committing to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
- Partnering with suppliers to reduce their carbon emissions.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Regular risk-based audits
Responsible Procurement
- Globally recognised food production standards (e.g., BRC).
- Supplier charter with ethical sourcing requirements.
- Sedex membership.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: SBTi
Certifications: MSC Chain of Custody, Cask Marque (846 pubs)
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
- 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
- 13 (Climate Action)
- 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
- 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
- 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)
Initiatives contribute to these goals through energy efficiency, waste reduction, emissions reduction, employee training and community engagement.
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Not disclosed
Awards & Recognition
- FT-Statista Europe’s Climate Leaders 2022
- Sustainable Standard-Setter Award (Rainforest Alliance, 2010)
- Waste No Food Award (Sustainable Restaurant Association, 2018)
- Numerous awards for pub design and community facilities.
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:115,831 tonnes CO₂e (2023)
Scope 1 Emissions:35,839 tonnes CO₂e (2023)
Scope 2 Emissions:79,044 tonnes CO₂e (2023)
Scope 3 Emissions:Not disclosed
Renewable Energy Share:100% (electricity for UK pubs and head office since October 2022)
Total Energy Consumption:449,425,519 kWh (2023)
Water Consumption:Not disclosed
Waste Generated:Not disclosed
Carbon Intensity:60.2 tonnes CO₂e /£m revenue (2023)
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Energy Efficiency
- Waste Management
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced scope 1 and 2 emissions by 47.5% since FY2014
- 100% renewable electricity supplied to UK pubs and head office since October 2022
Social Achievements
- Not disclosed
Governance Achievements
- Board of directors oversees environmental initiatives; Finance director has overall responsibility
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Reduce absolute scopes 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions 90% by FY2050 from an FY2019 base year
- Reach net-zero GHG emissions across the value chain by FY2050
Medium-term Goals:
- Not disclosed
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce absolute scopes 1 and 2 GHG emissions 80% by FY2033 from an FY2019 base year
- Reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 59% by FY2033 from an FY2019 base year
Environmental Challenges
- Measuring carbon emissions in the supply chain (Scope 3) is complex
Mitigation Strategies
- Allocating carbon emissions for every product sold, using industry averages where detailed data is unavailable
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Not disclosed
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Energy price fluctuations
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
Certifications: Null
Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Not disclosed
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2024
Environmental Metrics
Total Carbon Emissions:378,234,326 tCO2e (2024)
Scope 1 Emissions:33,636 tCO2e (2024)
Scope 2 Emissions:60,152 tCO2e (2024)
Scope 3 Emissions:761,240 tCO2e (2024)
Renewable Energy Share:100% (electricity in UK pubs and head office)
Total Energy Consumption:189,760,390 kWh (2024)
ESG Focus Areas
- Climate Change
- Waste Management
- Energy Efficiency
- Biodiversity
- Supply Chain Sustainability
Environmental Achievements
- Reduced scope 1 and 2 emissions by 55.6% since FY2014
- 100% renewable electricity supplied to UK pubs and head office since October 2022
- Listed in the 2024 FT-Statista Europe’s Climate Leaders list
Social Achievements
- Donation of unwanted food to charity
- Removal of plastic straws (2017), single-use portion pots and cling film
- Complimentary water fountains in all pubs
Governance Achievements
- Board of directors responsible for climate change strategy
- Finance director with overall responsibility for achieving targets
- Regular updates to the board on progress
Climate Goals & Targets
Long-term Goals:
- Achieve net-zero emissions in the UK and Ireland by 2050
Medium-term Goals:
- Reduce absolute scopes 1 and 2 GHG emissions 80% by FY2033 from an FY2019 base year
- Reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 59% by FY2033 from an FY2019 base year
Short-term Goals:
- Reduce annual electricity, gas, and water consumption
Environmental Challenges
- Scope 3 emissions represent 89% of total emissions
- Reducing emissions across the supply chain
- Meeting net-zero targets by 2050
Mitigation Strategies
- Partnership approach with suppliers to reduce scope 3 emissions
- Implementation of energy-saving technologies (LED lighting, free-air cellar cooling)
- Carbon action plan updated annually
Supply Chain Management
Responsible Procurement
- Working with suppliers to reduce scope 3 emissions and comply with deforestation regulations
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
Awards & Recognition
- Listed in the 2024 FT-Statista Europe’s Climate Leaders list