In addition this collective lack of action is generating more than a million additional tonnes of carbon every year, the equivalent in cost to three pence for every meal served in the UK.
In response the Carbon Trust has launched its Cut Cost & Carbon Calculator, with support from Defra, CESA, CEDA, FCSI and BHA.
The Cut Cost & Carbon Calculator has been developed to help those in the catering industry fully understand where savings can be made through behavioural changes, improvements to kitchen design and equipment selection.
‘‘UK catering industry missing out on more than a quarter billion pounds in energy savings every year’, warns Dominic Burbridge, associate director for business advice at the Carbon Trust.
“The catering industry is acutely sensitive to volatility across its entire cost base with inflation outstripping RPI over the last 10 years.
“A great way to tackle this is to improve energy efficiency in kitchens, an area that is not currently regulated.
“We’ve demonstrated how the catering industry could save more than three pence per meal served, which presents a significant opportunity for industry leaders who take a proactive approach to enhance the economic and environmental sustainability of their businesses.”
For more information on the Cut Cost & Carbon Calculator visit: http://www.carbontrust.com/cateringcalculator.