Off-setting carbon emissions appears to be ‘the thing to do’ at the moment. Celebrities are planting forests all over the world but is this really the right solution or is it salving our own consciences?

At Pret, we believe reducing the amount of energy we use as much as possible is better than simply off-setting our current usage. Off-setting might make us feel better but ultimately fails to address some of the basics. Instead, we're challenging our team to change daily habits and business practices to cut usage once and for all. Off-setting can make sense but only when every effort has been made to reduce the carbon footprint in the first place. The jury is out on what is the best method of off-setting. Currently, we think putting our efforts into understanding and reducing our energy consumption is the best way forward.

We've still got a long way to go but we'll get there.

Right now, we're working on 32 sustainability projects, including paperless banking, thermo mugs (cutting down paper usage by some 650,000 cups) and organic waste composting for our shop kitchen waste to name but a few.

Pret is a partner of Forum For The Future (www.forumforthefuture.org/), a leading sustainable development charity and a member of the London Mayor’s Green500 (www.green500.co.uk) programme. They help us make the right decisions so we can build a sustainable future for Pret and the 4,500 team members, Team Leaders, Baristas, Hot Chefs, trainers, managers and head office staff that work here.

If you would like further information about the sustainability at Pret, please contact Nicki Fisher, Pret's Head of Sustainability, on 0207 932 3385 or email her, nicky.fisher@pret.com.