McDonald’s UK and Ireland announces commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2040

McDonalds’s UK and Ireland launches its comprehensive business and sustainability strategy, Plan for Change programme, focusing on the Planet, People, Restaurants and Food.

One initiative includes the development of McDonald’s first restaurant built to a UK industry net zero emissions standard in Shropshire, acting as a blueprint for future builds.

The food giant is also ensuring all customer packaging is made from renewable, recycled or certified sources and designed to be recyclable or compostable, by 2024.

McDonald’s will offer a wider variety of food with more balanced options, such as market-leading vegan plant-based food and drink. The business has already launched its 100% vegan McPlant burger, with more options to come.

Focused on benefitting the community, McDonald’s will introduce a youth worker into every UK restaurant by 2024.

Paul Pomroy, Chief Executive,  McDonald’s UK & Ireland said: “McDonald’s has a long history of taking action where it really matters to the communities we serve. But we are at a moment now where we need to accelerate our ambition and work even harder to look after each other and the planet.”

“This new Plan for Change is not just our sustainability strategy, it’s our business priority. That means it isn’t a plan for one change, but for many – changes that together, with 1,400 restaurants, over 130,000 people, 23,000 British and Irish farmers and 4 million customers visiting every day, really will add up.”

The Plan for Change programme builds on the action already made by McDonald’s UK&I to help reduce its impact on the planet.

Currently, McDonald’s UK&I only uses renewable electricity in its restaurants, turns cooking oil into fuel for its delivery trucks, and has increased the number of electric vehicle charging points at its restaurants.

UK Net Zero Business Champion, Andrew Griffith said: “Having an iconic brand like McDonald’s join the hundreds of businesses across the UK that have signed up to the UN’s Race to Net Zero campaign is an exciting milestone.”

“I hope businesses across the UK will be inspired by their ambitious initiatives, helping us all to build back greener.”

8 October 2021

Climate Action