Popular Bristol bar group commits to net zero targets

Three popular Bristol haunts have received ‘On the road to Net Zero’ certification, recognising their efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

The Assemblies group, the umbrella organisation behind the Canteen on Stokes Croft, the Old Market Assembly and the centre’s No.1 Harbourside, signed up to Net Zero Now’s hospitality initiative which provides carbon footprint analysis and a tailored plan to reduce emissions.

The group is the first hospitality business in the region to receive the certificate.

The three bars, which employ over 80 people, are known for regular live music and sustainably-sourced food.

Their combined carbon footprint stands at nearly 700 tonnes of carbon emissions per year – equivalent to driving more than 150 petrol cars for a year.

They have committed to reducing emissions by 25 per cent over the next five years and must produce annual reports to show targets are on track.

The Old Market Assembly bar, restaurant and music venue is one of the three sites taking action to reach net zero – photo: Old Market Assembly

The group are taking steps by reducing the amount of meat on menus. The Canteen has already moved to an all-vegetarian menu and meat is limited at the other two sites.

Food contributes 80 to 90 per cent of a restaurant’s carbon footprint, so provides a significant opportunity to reduce impacts by swapping to lower emission items.

A 10 per cent reduction across all sites would save five tonnes of carbon, the amount produced by driving a petrol car for over 12,000 miles.

Single-use plastic cups have also been eliminated from each business. Anna Blightman, the group’s marketing director, explained an alternative to glass is required for live music venues but said: “Seeing the waste at the end of the night was heart-breaking.”

Replacing plastic with reusable cups has reduced waste dramatically and, it’s hoped, will enable them to meet their first annual target.

The group are exploring further initiatives such as reducing food waste, switching to renewable electricity and installing solar panels.

“Hopefully we can save some money too,” said Anna. “There are definitely business benefits to reducing energy.”

The Canteen has switched to an all-vegetarian menu to reduce its carbon footprint – photo: The Canteen

Anna is part of Bristol Good Food 2030 and is sharing information to encourage others in local hospitality to get on board.

Simon Heppner, Net Zero Now founder, says hospitality businesses are at the heart of communities and in a good position to open up climate discussions with customers.

“Hospitality is central to our net zero journey and has an enormous amplifier role to play,” he told Bristol24/7.

“Pubs and restaurants are brilliant in helping to start conversations. They can really help customers understand what we mean by net zero.”

Simon set up Net Zero Now after recognising the significance of the climate emergency.

“The climate crisis is the biggest and most important challenge we face. It cuts across everything,” he said.

“We have to go all in on this. We need solutions that get everyone on the road to net zero.”

The initiative has seen real interest in its first 18 months.

“Businesses love clear targets,” said Simon.

“The net zero target works and getting it right is good for business, encourages new customers, helps with the recruitment and retention of staff.

“We’re still in a period before the target becomes mainstream though. We need to demonstrate the value to businesses, and we need government to say they’ll lower business rates for those that make climate change commitments, or just to tell them ‘this is something you’ve got to do.’”

The platform is currently working with 50 businesses across 3000 sites, hoping to increase to 200 by the end of the year. Simon wants to encourage more hospitality businesses to take the plunge.

“The tools they need are now accessible and affordable,” he said. “The question is not if they should go net zero, it’s when.”

Main photo: The Canteen

Read more:

• First Bristol food outlet to trial ‘carbon labelling’ on menus
• How sustainability has become a central feature in many Bristol food businesses
• Food justice: Bristol’s food producers ready to step up

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