Punch Taverns, the UK's largest pub operator, has announced a multi-million pound deal which will see the provision of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) across its portfolio of pubs. The deal marks a significant investment in the chain's endeavours to achieve a 17% reduction in its carbon emissions by 2010.
The company has teamed up with a consortium of energy and compliance specialists led by Connaught Compliance PLC together with Royal & Sun Alliance and Charterhouse Energy in a deal that will provide EPCs for over 800 of their leased pubs. Connaught, which has a head office in Caerphilly, already provides Punch with gas safety compliance services.
From October 2008, all pubs will need an EPC if they are to be let or sold. Pubs will be rated from A to G based on the energy efficiency of the premises, with inspectors looking closely at boilers and air conditioning. The certificates will last for 10 years and include a list of recommendations to upgrade efficiency.
According to Stephen Allen, Group Head of Facilities at Punch, the deal will be invaluable in helping the chain reduce its carbon footprint:
"The average pub emits as much carbon dioxide as 16 houses so as an industry we have a big responsibility to the environment. We are committed to reducing our environmental impact and have established a dedicated carbon team to identify and reduce carbon emissions. This deal means we will have the all-important information we need to identify the energy efficiency of our buildings, and practical guidance on where improvements can be made.
"This forms part of a significant investment in and commitment to carbon reduction measures across our portfolio. Other initiatives we are undertaking include installing energy efficient light bulbs, lighting control systems and new boilers across our portfolio. The majority of our carbon footprint is caused by the power consumption of our pubs. By using EPCs to underpin our mission to ‘go green' we will also be benefiting financially as the aim is that our buildings will be using a significantly smaller amount of energy and fuel."
Buildings are responsible for almost 50 per cent of the UK's energy consumption and carbon emissions. In a commercial sector with 58,000 properties, and roughly 20% of them changing hands each year, EPCs are being promoted as the ideal mechanism for the pub and hospitality trade to collectively assess its impact on the environment and make efficiency improvements.
Mark Erskine, National Accounts Director at Connaught Compliance PLC, said:
"In advance of the mandatory introduction of EPCs, Punch is sending a clear message to the sector that a systematic approach across a portfolio makes the most sense, and will provide the most benefits.
"Working closely with Royal & Sun Alliance and Charterhouse Energy we have developed a bespoke reporting system and recommendations coming out of the initial assessment will be far more detailed than legislation requires. This means the chain will have a wealth of information at its fingertips on how it can significantly improve the efficiency of all of its buildings, which will underpin its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint."
Stephen Allen of Punch says that the aim is to spread best practice from its portfolio of managed pubs across its 7,500 leased or tenanted pubs:
"The strategy is to roll out the carbon reduction programme to the managed part of the business and then use the lessons learnt there to demonstrate the potential improvements to licensees and encourage them to make similar improvements in their premises."