Compass Group UK & Ireland has launched Our Planet Promise, a new sustainability strategy designed to bring together action on climate, nature, waste and human health, creating a systems-based framework.
The strategy builds on measurable progress already made across the business, including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, improvements in waste management, more responsible sourcing of ingredients and healthier meals. As sustainability challenges become more complex, Compass believes tackling climate issues in isolation is no longer enough.
Progress to Date
Cutting greenhouse gas emissions
Since committing to net zero, Compass Group UK & Ireland has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 7.5% compared with 2019, its baseline year. This reduction was achieved while delivering significant business growth of 53% over the same period.
Since 2019, the largest emissions reductions across the business have come from:
- Direct emissions (Scope 1), down 84%, driven by the adoption of electric vehicles, greater use of renewable gas and more efficient energy use on site
- Energy-related emissions (Scope 2), down 81%, reflecting increased use of renewable electricity and energy efficiency measures across owned and operated sites
- Supply-chain emissions (Scope 3), down 6.5% overall. Emissions reduction has been achieved through a mix of improvements in emissions factors, and changes in procurement practices, such as sourcing less carbon-intensive ingredients, as well as methodology refinements. If acquisitions were not included in the calculations, the business would have achieved circa 23% reduction in emissions.
- Emissions intensity (i.e. how much CO₂e we generate per £ of revenue generated) fell by 39%, from 0.53 kg CO₂e per £ revenue in FY19 to 0.32 kg CO₂e per £ revenue in FY25, reflecting a consistent downward trend.
Improving waste management
In the past financial year, Compass has also successfully:
- Repurposed over 1 million litres of waste cooking oil as biofuels
- Reduced food waste by 8%
- Donated 114 tonnes of food, which is equivalent to 254,000 meals
- Ensured 84% of single-use foodservice items are now recyclable, reusable, or compostable
Protecting nature and resources
The company has removed deforestation risk from almost all major raw materials, including:
- Over 98% deforestation-free palm oil
- 99% deforestation-free wood
- Over 96% deforestation-free beef (100% as of 1 January 2026)
- 94% direct soy deforestation-free
Health and Wellbeing
In 12 months, the business has served over 120 million portions of vegetables to children and procured more than 2,900 tonnes of beans, pulses and lentils. Nearly 88% of its 21,000 recipes are low or medium in fat, 93% in salt, and 94% in sugar.
Decarbonisation roadmap
Due to the combination of the company’s significant growth, complexity of food and drink emissions, along with the current maturity of emerging technologies and solutions, the business has taken the decision to set a new baseline, that better reflects the business it is today. This in turn has created a new trajectory for net zero to 2040. The company’s ambition remains unchanged, with a continued focus on accelerating near-term action to drive meaningful progress.
Commenting, Robin Mills – CEO, 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. As we’ve evolved, we’ve learnt a great deal about where we can make the most meaningful difference and how we can use our scale, expertise and partnerships to drive positive change.
“Our Planet Promise marks the next step in that journey. It reflects the integrated, systems‑led approach we now take – one that looks beyond carbon to consider how we reduce waste, protect nature, promote health and uphold the highest standards of animal welfare. This is about doing the right thing for people and the planet, while continuing to deliver high‑quality services for our clients and customers.
“I am incredibly proud of the progress our teams have made so far and grateful to our clients, customers, suppliers and colleagues for their support and openness to trying new ways of working. Together, we are creating a more resilient, responsible and sustainable future for our industry.”
Professor Sir Charles Godfray added: “Climate change can seem complex, but its core truth is simple: the emissions we release are warming the planet and driving more extreme weather. The details may be uncertain, but the need to act is not. What gives me confidence is that Compass UK & Ireland is taking this challenge seriously. The organisation has invested in understanding its emissions and that of its supply chain and recognises that climate action must sit alongside progress on waste, nature, water, health and affordability. Across the business there is a real drive to do more and a willingness to learn by doing. Compass wants to make a meaningful difference for the planet, and I believe it will.”
