Market insight: Green beans

New research from Nespresso Professional has revealed that nearly three-quarters of senior hospitality leaders believe that sustainability has become more of a priority in their business during the last year...

Sustainability has become more of a priority in the last year for the vast majority (72%) of hospitality businesses, according to new research conducted with 1,000 UK hospitality leaders. Following the COP26 Conference held in the UK last year, 84% of respondents said they have made sustainability improvements to their business.

The research, commissioned by Nespresso Professional, also revealed the same number (72%) of respondents state that sustainability will become more of a priority in the next year. This is an increase from 67% in 2021, when the coffee specialist asked senior hospitality leaders the same question.

More than one in 10 (12%) said sustainability has become less of a priority, with focusing on reducing overheads and managing the cost-of-living crisis being key reasons.

Rising costs causing concern
Interestingly, the research found that senior hospitality leaders are almost equally concerned about increasing prices for customers to pay for sustainable products (60%) as they are about cost-of-living rises (59%). Improving turnover, training and upskilling current staff and managing supply chain issues came out as overall business concerns, with 20% of senior leaders asked stating that sourcing sustainable and ethical products and ingredients was also a top concern.

A greener future
Exploring the steps hospitality businesses have taken to be more sustainable, implementing a recycling system came out on top (32%), followed by increasing recycling of coffee capsules (28%) and executing a sustainability strategy across the business (27%). Encouragingly, 58% of those asked said they have aims to achieve B Corp certification in the future, with 13% already saying they have.

Exploring the role of suppliers in greater detail, 73% say it would be beneficial for them to support customers’ sustainability journeys. The biggest challenge hospitality businesses face is finding one supplier that can provide all the sustainably sourced and produced resources they need.

Beth Langley, OOH director for Nespresso Professional, commented on the findings: “It is really encouraging to see the continual uptake and engagement with sustainability initiatives across the hospitality industry. While it’s clear that businesses are facing considerable challenges, leaders within the sector are determined to do the right thing.

“As a recently certified B Corp business, we not only recognise the importance of addressing sustainability, but also the challenges that can come with committing to being a force for good. In line with the B Corp community values, we’re dedicated to helping others across the industry, providing our experience of the process to showing how our coffee products can support a sustainable offering.

“For example, through our AAA Sustainable Quality Program, we build long-standing relationships with producers to create high-quality coffee. This ensures a sustainable supply, while also improving the livelihoods of the farms and their communities.”

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