Guinness is highlighting insights from research and engagement that it carried out with publicans this year, to understand how it can help accelerate support on environmental and social issues.
Details
One of the key insights from the research was that 74% of publicans surveyed want to make a positive impact on the environment. As a result, Guinness is partnering with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to create awareness of supports available to the hospitality industry, to reduce its energy bills and carbon footprint.
Information about the SEAI’s energy supports is available from Diageo’s on-trade customer portal, Diageo One, and includes the following.
- Bespoke energy management workshops running from January to March, tailored specifically to Diageo customers. Led by expert energy consultants, these online sessions will provide practical advice on how to make an outlet more energy efficient, and to reduce costs by at least 5-10% – the equivalent of taking almost 10,000 cars off the road if 8,000 pubs implemented the actions.
- Details on how to access a €2,000 voucher from the SEAI towards an energy audit, which will assess current energy usage and provide actionable measures to further reduce usage and costs.
- Information on the SEAI’s energy efficiency and renewable energy grants, including the solar photovoltaic (PV) panel grant – also called the Solar Electricity Grant.
Following the research, which was facilitated by Sustainability Works, Guinness has identified ten pathways to support the hospitality sector on its journey to becoming more sustainable, covering topics such as energy, waste, water, and much more. Every month from January, a toolkit on each of these topics will be shared on Diageo One, which publicans can access for insight and action.
Statements
The managing director of Diageo Ireland, Barry O’Sullivan, said, “Sustainability is a challenge for all of us, including publicans, especially in these challenging economic times, with rising energy costs. We hope this partnership drives awareness of the supports available to publicans, which can make a real impact in reducing their energy costs and carbon footprint. We are fully committed to embedding sustainability across our business, from grain to glass, and this partnership forms part of our integrated approach towards achieving our Society 2030: Spirit of Progress commitments.”
SEAI CEO William Walsh said, “We are committed to delivering Ireland’s energy revolution, and – at a time of environmental uncertainty and rising costs – strategic partnerships such as this highlight the supports and services available from government and the SEAI. The current energy crisis has impacted businesses of all sizes and driven an increased urgency to reduce energy use and transition to cleaner, renewable energy sources. SEAI are delighted to partner with Guinness as part of a wider collaborative approach towards achieving our ever-increasing climate ambition and supporting all sectors and society.”
