Leon Restaurants sustainability score: 32/100

Leon has not published Scope 1 or Scope 2 emissions data. ClimatePartner measured product-level emissions for specific menu items in 2021, but no corporate-level GHG inventory exists. Claims to use only electricity (no gas) in kitchens reduce Scope 1, but no formal calculation is disclosed. Estimated sub-10,000 tonne footprint remains unverified.

Leon measured CO2 from ingredients and packaging for burger and fries menu items via ClimatePartner in 2021, but this was product-level footprinting, not corporate Scope 3 reporting. The 2021 carbon neutral initiative and associated data were removed from Leon's website by 2023. Scope 3 (purchased food, ingredients) likely represents 80-90% of total emissions and remains unreported.

Leon committed to net-zero by 2030 in January 2021 but removed the roadmap by May 2023 without explanation. Carbon neutral claims were phased out. No replacement targets announced. Revenue declined from £64.9m (2023) to £62.4m (2024); 20 of 71 restaurants are closing due to financial distress, not sustainability strategy. Sustainability director role appears eliminated.

Leon partnered with Ecotricity in 2020 to supply 100% green electricity (wind and solar) to all UK restaurants and claims electricity-only kitchens (no gas), eliminating Scope 1 combustion. LED lighting installed. However, status during Asda ownership (2023-2025) and current administration is unclear. Website claims remain unverified post-restructuring.

Leon was a founding member of the Sustainable Restaurant Association (2008) and partnered with Ecotricity to fund Wildlife Trusts rewilding projects. Triple-certified coffee programme and 2021 offset projects included rainforest conservation. However, no biodiversity assessment, TNFD disclosure, or nature risk analysis exists. Offset projects relied on criticised REDD+ credits. No current nature strategy published.

Leon has zero waste to landfill policy (where it controls waste), partnership with Veolia for recycling and energy-from-waste. Removed 21 tonnes of plastic via biodegradable straws and cutlery (2018); removed 11 tonnes via recycled content cups (2019). Food waste strategy uses fresh-to-order preparation and demand forecasting. However, these initiatives date from 2018-2021; current waste data or targets are not published.

No water consumption data, water footprint assessment, or management strategy published. Menu emphasis on plant-based and vegetarian options (53% of 2019 sales) lowers embedded water footprint compared to meat-heavy competitors, but no quantified water data or reduction targets exist. Water risk assessment absent.

Leon committed to net-zero by 2030 (January 2021) and signed Council for Sustainable Business commitments (June 2020). Both were abandoned by May 2023 without public explanation. Not listed on SBTi dashboard. Original targets were offset-heavy. No replacement targets announced under John Vincent's return (October 2025). Current status is administration with no visible sustainability strategy.

Leon has no sustainability report, ESG disclosure, TCFD/CSRD reporting, or public emissions data. Basic 'Food & Sustainability' website page retains claims without metrics, dates, or verification. Sustainability director role lost during Asda ownership. Net-zero roadmap and carbon neutral claims removed without explanation. Private company in administration; no investor-driven disclosure pressure.

Leon's 2021 carbon neutral burger claims relied on REDD+ offsets criticised by scientists as phantom credits; Leon disputed criticism but quietly removed all carbon neutral messaging in 2023, evidencing greenwashing. ASA ruled 2016 'Original Superfood Salad' claim unauthorized, ordering removal. Asda/EG Group ownership (2021-2025) linked Leon to Issa brothers' 6,000+ petrol stations. No direct anti-climate lobbying or pollution incidents found.