UK-based hospitality firm Azzurri Group has reiterated its commitment to becoming a net-zero business by 2040, as it reported a 7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity in 2024.
The group, which operates the ASK Italian, Zizzi, and Coco di Mama chains, and recently added Boojum, Dave’s Hot Chicken, and Openr to its portfolio, said that the reduction in emissions followed on from a 9.7% reduction the previous year.
The achievement is a ‘reflection of how the business is integrating responsible stewardship at every level of its operations’, it said in a statement.
‘Operational efficiencies’
According to Azzurri Group, the reduction in emissions was driven by operational efficiencies, including a decrease of 1.3 million kWh in electricity consumption, which equates to the energy required to serve 1.9 million pizzas annually.
It also sought to reduce emissions along its supply chain, including partnering with Wildfarmed, whose regenerative flour helped ASK Italian reduce the carbon footprint of its dough used by 50%.
‘A more sustainable business’
“Since we defined our purpose, mission and values back in 2021, our commitment to being a more sustainable business has grown year on year,” commented Steve Holmes, chief executive officer of Azzurri Group.
“I am proud to see our teams lead with collaboration, innovation and dedication, embedding ESG into their day-to-day operations. This approach has meant sustainability is now woven into our decision making and the way we operate. Ultimately, this has strengthened our business, making us more resilient and more adept at building better food businesses.”
The group is also seeking to embed sustainable practices into its restaurant design and construction approach, with new openings Zizzi Bridgend, ASK Italian Merry Hill, and Zizzi Chatham all featuring SKA Gold certification.
Elsewhere, since 2022, Azzurri has donated over 250,000 meals to local communities across the UK, in line with its goal of redistributing 500,000 meals by 2030.
“Whether it’s through the 500 volunteer hours we have contributed since 2021, or our collective efforts to reduce carbon emissions across operations and supply chains, our teams have risen to the challenge to make sustainability happen across our business,” Holmes added. Read more here.
