Restaurant Brands International (RBI) announces new sustainability objectives, including a pilot of more energy efficient equipment across its Tim Hortons stores
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RBI's global portfolio includes nearly 5,000 Tim Hortons coffee shops | Photo credit: Tim Hortons
Restaurant Brands International (RBI) will pursue a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across its global portfolio of 27,000 restaurants, including nearly 5,000 Tim Hortons coffee shops.
RBI said that achieving its targets would prevent an estimated 25.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions by 2030.
The Canadian restaurant group says it will collaborate with franchisees and suppliers to pursue science-based targets (SBTs) to achieve its objectives.
The company intends to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 as part of a wider strategy to ‘achieve business growth without emissions growth’. RBI's roadmap includes switching to renewable energy, implementing energy efficient equipment, and transitioning 100% of its corporate car fleet to electric by 2030.
"As one of the largest quick service restaurant companies in the world, we have a critical role to play in addressing the threat of global climate change, which is important for our planet and for our guests," said José E. Cil, Chief Executive Officer of RBI.
RBI’s targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative, which promotes private sector climate action by enabling companies to set science-based emissions reduction targets.
The initiative is part of RBI’s ‘Restaurant Brands for Good’ strategy to reduce its environmental footprint, improve food quality and support communities.
RBI is the latest major hospitality operator to announce wide ranging sustainability targets amid growing international alarm at the worsening climate crisis.
In 2021, Starbucks revealed preliminary targets for the coming decade, including a 50% reduction across carbon emissions from direct operations and supply chains, water consumption, and waste sent to landfill, as part of a plan to become ‘resource positive’ by 2030.
In September 2021, US boutique coffee chain Blue Bottle Coffee announced ambitious sustainability targets, pledging to achieve carbon neutrality across its international operations and 100 coffee shops by 2024.
In August 2021, UK-headquartered green coffee trading company Caravela Coffee pledged carbon neutrality across every kilogram of coffee it purchases by 2025.