Premier Inn owner Whitbread has had its net zero target validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as the company announced its updated decarbonisation strategy.

The UK-based firm, which is listed on the FTSE100 Index, said it was aiming to bring its direct Scope 1 and 2 emissions down to net zero by 2040, including the removal of gas connections from more than 800 existing Premier Inn hotels by the same date.

This will be achieved through initiatives such as installing heat pumps, solar panels and more energy-efficient kitchen equipment.

Other targets include a 90 per cent reduction in its indirect Scope 3 emissions from its supply chain by 2050 and purchasing 100 per cent renewable electricity across all properties by 2026 “where possible”.

A further development will see the opening of the first all-electric Premier Inn hotel in the UK town of Swindon later this year. This property will be fully heated and powered by renewable energy, as well as featuring the highest insulation standards, energy-efficient equipment and new water-heating pumps.

Dominic Paul, Whitbread’s new CEO, said: “Our net zero plan is integral to our business plan. Setting ambitious carbon reduction targets across Whitbread supports our people recruitment and retention, attracts more customers and has a positive impact on our local communities and suppliers.

“We are in a strong position as one of the few hospitality businesses to own its assets to leverage our rate of change and be confident of delivering our low carbon ambitions.”

Whitbread said it had already been working to reduce its emissions for more than a decade with greenhouse gas emissions from direct operations being cut by more 50 per cent over this period.

The company is now undertaking a net zero audit of all properties to allow it to set priorities for the retrofitting of equipment to make these hotels more sustainable.

Rosana Elias, Whitbread’s head of sustainability, added: “We have been working on reducing our climate impact for a while and have successfully trialled the installation of air source heat pumps in 40 of our hotels and use solar power across over 20 per cent of our estate.  

“Today’s plan doubles down on our commitment to reinvent budget hotels for the net zero age. We have taken a holistic approach – from how we build and operate our buildings and restaurants to how we power them through renewables, and we will work with suppliers, employees and customers to support a just transition.

“We don’t claim to have all the answers now, but our plan will evolve over time and evolve as the technologies and policies that we rely on for success develop further.”