What We’ve Learned by Convening the Hospitality Industry on Sustainability

Following The Grocer 's recent article that highlighted how sustainability efforts in food and retail are under fire for perceived setbacks, we ask: what lessons can we draw from hospitality??

Over the past few years, our work convening the hospitality and brewing industry has provided critical insights into what it takes to embed sustainability at the heart of business. Through initiatives like the Zero Carbon Forum’s CEO Roundtables, we’ve seen firsthand the importance of leadership that balances commercial priorities with climate action. Because let’s be clear: climate risks are business risks – and this is especially true for any business reliant on food.?

Leadership Is Key?

In hospitality, as in retail, the role of CEOs and senior leadership is pivotal. Leaders who grasp the business risks and opportunities of climate action—and who actively champion these efforts—set the tone for their organisations. The CEO Roundtable exists to elevate this understanding, fostering peer-to-peer learning and collaboration at the highest levels. When CEOs truly engage, it ripples through their teams, creating alignment, accountability, and momentum for change.?

When leadership falls short, companies risk losing not just their best sustainability talent but also employees across the board.

But leadership cannot exist in a vacuum. Sustainability teams need resources, cross-functional support, and clear mandates to drive progress. As The Grocer’s article rightly points out, when leadership falls short, companies risk losing not just their best sustainability talent but also employees across the board. The data is clear: employee expectations are rising, and businesses that lag on sustainability are increasingly viewed as unattractive workplaces.?

Sustainability Is Non-Negotiable?

Dropping or delaying sustainability targets isn’t just risky; it’s shortsighted. Hospitality businesses operate in a volatile environment shaped by climate change, supply chain disruptions, and shifting consumer behaviours.

As Bob Gordon, our forum director, puts it: “Is it hard? Yes. Is it hopeless? No. This isn’t just about doing the right thing. It’s about protecting our businesses from the multiple threats they face. And that challenge isn’t going away.”?

"Is it hard? Yes. Is it hopeless? No."

Recent supply chain shocks, like the exposure of Chinese tomatoes in “Italian” tomato products, highlight the fragility of food systems. Hospitality businesses are particularly vulnerable to these risks, given their reliance on fresh ingredients and global supply chains. Sustainability is no longer a “nice-to-have”; it’s essential for building resilience.?

Success Stories Prove Change Is Possible?

Benchmarks we’ve developed through the Zero Carbon Forum show meaningful progress among operators who have committed to transparent reporting and collaborative action.?

Despite the challenges, there is plenty to be optimistic about. The industry is already seeing exciting innovation from suppliers like Gentle Farming, Agrasta, Wildfarmed and Grassroots, whose regenerative practices are gaining traction. Benchmarks we’ve developed through the Zero Carbon Forum also show meaningful progress among operators who have committed to transparent reporting and collaborative action.?

Necessity is the mother of invention, and as Bob Gordon reminds us, “This is essential, so we will change. We need to work out how to change, and then get on with it.” Businesses are aligning sustainability with operational efficiency, not just to cut carbon, but to cut costs. With rising inflation and tight margins, efficiency has never been more important.?

Building Resilience Together?

The path to sustainability is neither quick nor easy, but the alternative is far worse. Hospitality businesses must focus on three core areas:?

1. Brand Resilience: Customers, investors, and employees increasingly demand climate leadership. CGA data shows that consumers and staff alike want to align with businesses that take sustainability seriously.?
2. Operational Efficiency: As budgets tighten, sustainability initiatives must deliver both environmental and financial returns. Cutting waste, improving energy efficiency, and innovating menus are key strategies.?
3. Collaborative Action: No business can do this alone. Forums like ours exist to help operators learn from each other, share best practices, and drive collective progress.?

“To borrow a football analogy, we might have lost a few games, and some businesses might feel like they’re stuck in the relegation zone. But giving up is not an option and we’re going to have to fight for every win. We are behind on the sustainability journey, so now is the time to push harder, to rally the team, and to play for the win,” says Gordon.?

Join us. Together, we’re stronger, more resilient, and better equipped to face the challenges ahead. Let’s make sustainability the defining success story of the hospitality industry.?

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