Which? Sustainable Restaurants report ‘does not accurately assess sector’s progress in sustainability’: The Zero Carbon Forum has said the Which? Sustainable Restaurants report does not accurately assess the sector’s progress in sustainability. Consumer champion Which? has released its first analysis of the UK’s biggest restaurant chains’ sustainable practices, based on an analysis of their green credentials. But while the Zero Carbon Forum welcomed a spotlight on achieving net zero in hospitality, it said the report’s rankings don’t include many of the 155 initiatives the sector has identified it can take to reach net zero. “As a result, it doesn’t accurately reflect the sector’s and operators’ progress on sustainability,” a spokesperson for the forum said. “While the Which? report overall shows that positive progress is being made, the ranking isn’t helpful as it isn’t based on an accurate assessment of all the actions operators need to take. The sector’s biggest impact is food and drink, and measuring impact in the supply chain is critical. While the report questions whether an outlet sells water in glass or plastic bottles, it doesn’t ask about whether there is a net zero strategy in place, or if operators are engaging their major suppliers.  More than 60 businesses across the hospitality industry, operating 35,000 sites, representing 35% of the sector, are collaborating through the forum to reduce emissions with greater speed and efficiency than they could otherwise achieve individually. The forum has set a roadmap for members, including those ranked in this report, to reach net zero operational emissions by 2030 and supply chains by 2040. Members have already removed more than half a million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year through energy initiatives such as efficiency measures, onsite generation and renewable procurement. The important steps in making progress to net zero is to make a commitment and back it up with action, at pace.” The Which? report saw Wahaca top its sustainability ratings, which came from a survey of 1,168 of its members and a survey of 28 restaurant chains. Wahaca scored highly for its sourcing policies, transparency and customer choices, as well as for using free-range chicken, pork and eggs, reducing its beef offerings and championing plant-based eating. The report also endorsed the efforts of Frankie and Benny’s, Nando’s, Pret A Manger, Wagamama and Young’s, with Nando’s receiving full marks for its waste and plastics policies and Frankie & Benny’s praised for its sustainable cleaning products and restaurant fit out policy. At the opposite end of the table were Greggs and KFC, with Which? saying their scores were heavily impacted by the omission of key data on factors like electricity and water usage, food waste and landfill and renewable energy. Both Greggs and KFC said they have “ambitious” targets and their positions are not fully reflected in the report.