DATAPOINT

This week’s must-know numbers span support for delaying the EU’s CSRD, the growing proportion of businesses employing sustainability leads, the pervasive nature of junk food advertising, and eye-popping growth projections from another US chicken shop brand.

531. MEPs who backed a European Commission proposal to delay the application date for reporting on the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) by up to two years. Just 69 MEPs voted against and 17 abstained. The amendment means companies previously due to start including CSRD in their annual reporting in 2026 or 2027 will not need to do so until 2028.

82%. The proportion of Zero Carbon Forum (ZCF) members that now have a dedicated sustainability lead. The figure represents a 22% increase on the previous year. Last week, 25 ZCF board leaders from hospitality and brewing businesses gathered to discuss the urgent need to align profit with purpose to drive a more resilient, low-carbon future for the sector.

1 in 4. Outdoor adverts that promote foods classified as high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS). New research from the Bite Back campaign group found that the 10 biggest food and drink companies spent over £400m on street advertising in 2024. The most deprived areas accounted for 44% of all HFSS ads while just 4% appeared in the least deprived areas.

500. The number of UK sites targeted by US chicken shop giant, Church’s Texas Chicken, over the next 15 years. The business told Propel it is planning a UK launch within the next two years and long-term could have between 300 and 500 UK sites. It is the latest chicken shop brand to target the UK market following the likes of Wingstop, Popeyes and Slim Chickens, despite concerns over the impact on health and sustainability.