The Manchester restaurants leading the way when it comes to carbon free dining

We’re all trying to do our bit to reduce plastic waste, to shop more sustainably and to think about how we can make a difference when it comes to living a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

But do you ever stop to think about the carbon footprint of your meal when you dine out?

The Carbon Free Dining initiative, managed by The United Nations environment tree planting partner, The Green Earth Appeal, hopes to have a huge impact on the environment and help some of the poorest communities in the developing world.

And several Manchester restaurants have already signed up.

For each bill that is presented in a Carbon Free Dining certified restaurants, an optional 99p micro donation will be added to that bill. This 99p will guarantee that a single fruit tree is planted in the developing world.

The tree will counterbalance the environmental impact of the meal, the carbon footprint is offset and the restaurant and the diners help end poverty in the developing word.

99p doesn’t sound a lot, say the people behind the initiative, but it can feed an entire family in some of poorest communities. It will provide a source of income, reforestation and will change lives for generations to come. 

In 2019, Carbon Free Dining hit a monumental milestone of 1.5 million trees being planted by The Green Earth Appeal in countries including Uganda, Cameroon and Tanzania. Each tree has the potential to provide food to those that are starving and income to those who are struggling as well as helping provide medicine, education and opportunity.

Carbon Free Dining certified restaurants, along with their diners, have already counterbalanced the negative environmental impact of over half a million meals.

Some of the industry’s biggest names supporting Carbon Free Dining in their restaurants include Marco Pierre White, James Martin and Michelin starred Marcus Wareing. And several Manchester restaurants have signed up, too.

City centre restaurants taking part in the initiative so far include James Martin Manchester, Zouk, Turkish restaurant Kai on Deansgate and Ribeye steakhouse on First Street.

Other local restaurants taking part include V Rev, Indique, FoodWell, Three Little Words, Shoku, Brewski (Moseley Street and Chorlton) and The Coffee Sack in Prestwich.

Restaurants can sign up here to take part in the initiative.

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