Punch Taverns has achieved a first for the pub industry with a top award in recognition of its carbon reduction efforts, rolled out across its 864 strong managed pub estate.
Punch won ‘Best Green Internal Communications Award’ at the Green Awards 2008 for its: ‘How Big Is Your Carbon Footprint?’ campaign, presented at The Brewery, London on Wednesday 12th November.
The campaign, which had to demonstrate how it had driven behavioural change from within the organisation with head office staff as brand ambassadors for the cause, shone out for the judges against other finalists including Swindon Borough Council and The National Trust.
The key tool was a DVD which highlighted simple and effective solutions for energy reduction. Judges commented that the DVD was ‘well designed and simple’ and that it was an ‘engaging way of getting employees on board’.
Judges also noted that Punch has ‘made a real effort to lead the way’ given that it operates in an industry which comparatively does not face a great deal of scrutiny over its green credentials.
Punch’s head of facilities, Steve Allen, comments: “Punch’s campaign has demonstrated both the business and environmental benefits of reducing energy consumption. The DVD is a fantastic resource which has been backed up by a range of initiatives. Pub managers attended green workshops to learn more about energy efficient business practices and prepare energy reduction action plans for their individual pubs.“
“Everyone at head office is genuinely on board and on message and I think that is the key to the campaign’s success. Our green team got everyone involved with a range of eye catching activities from ‘How big is carbon footprint?’ drinking mugs, posters around the building and even balloons placed on the desks of those members of staff who had left their computers on overnight!”
Steve continues: “As a company, we have also made a substantial investment with the implementation of smart metering which allows our pub managers to monitor patterns of gas and electric consumption and make notable changes.”
“We are absolutely delighted to win this award. It’s down to a huge effort across the board from our teams at head office, field teams and our pub managers,” he adds.
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