Creating A Sustainability Strategy & Report with…
“If it hadn't been for TBL, I'm not sure we'd be as far down our ESG journey as we are now.”
It’s a long time since the pub was simply a place for a pint. Increasingly – and especially in Punch Pubs – it’s a community hub. A place where you’re as likely to pick up a parcel, start and end your charity run, or have a chat about mental health as you are to watch the football over a drink and a bite to eat.
Today, the many ways in which Punch supports its people, the planet and its pubs are brought together in Our Punch Promise, produced in collaboration with TBL. It’s a sustainability report. But really, it’s a whole lot more than that.
“Within the industry, our Punch Promise is perceived as a North Star in terms of what people should strive for and aspire to,” says Jon Dale, Strategic Corporate Affairs, External Relations & ESG Lead at Punch Pubs & Co.
Stewards of sustainability
Before TBL began working with Punch sustainability was always on the agenda, but action was informal and sporadic. “We embraced ‘doing well by doing good’ and a set of ambitions focused around being at the heart of communities, economic recovery, wellbeing and being a modern, inclusive, environmentally friendly pub company,” says Jon. “But there wasn’t a strategic plan.
“We lacked stewardship – the expert guidance to help shape our sustainability strategy and ensure it was aligned with recognised frameworks, particularly the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We needed help in identifying the topics most material to us and setting meaningful, measurable targets.”
Collaborating with TBL heralded a seismic shift in approach and direction. “Sustainability went from being an informal part of the business to something that underpins all of the fantastic work that we do. Robust reporting has been an important part of that
Setting standards; driving real progress
“Our Punch Promise has become central to our strategy and culture,” says Jon. “It’s won multiple awards. It’s satisfying to see employees referencing it in external conversations or in team meetings, or to be asked for copies of it by key stakeholders. It has become a standard-setter for sustainability reporting within the industry.
“The report has also reflected (and helped drive) real progress, including no and low-alcohol sales, EPC ratings, recycling rates, and even a small reduction in our carbon emissions. From employee service scores (up from 65% to 83%) to our Support the Goals ambition rating (up from 4* to 4.5*), everything is going in the right direction. TBL’s support has enabled that.
“Our Punch Promise has helped embed sustainability strategically within the business. It guides our decision making and inspires people. And it plays a fundamental part in keeping sustainability at the heart of our business.”
“If it hadn't been for TBL…”
We started working with TBL because I felt an instant connection with them,” Jon explains. “They’re experts, but they really strip things back to layman’s terms. They’ve challenged us, ensuring that our work remains robust, relevant, and material. They’ve definitely improved our data quality. And they’re friendly faces.
“If it hadn’t been for TBL, I’m not sure we’d be as far down our ESG journey as we are now.”
“Our partnership with TBL has been pivotal, really, in helping us shift from fast followers to trailblazers in key areas of our sustainability strategy.” Jon Dale, Strategic Corporate Affairs, External Relations & ESG Lead at Punch Pubs & Co.
TBL did this…
“The TBL team have helped us move from intention to impact,” says Jon. “Their deep expertise has enabled us to set and refine clear goals, measure progress effectively, and communicate our achievements with confidence.
“Our partnership with TBL has been pivotal in helping us shift from fast followers to trailblazers in key areas of our sustainability strategy.”
“If it hadn't been for TBL, I'm not sure we'd be as far down our ESG journey as we are now.” Jon Dale, Strategic Corporate Affairs, External Relations & ESG Lead at Punch Pubs & Co.
