The Net Zero Salons Programme launches to help salons in the UK and Ireland through the process of becoming a Net Zero business

26^th January 2023, London – L’Oréal and Net Zero Now, the climate action platform, have partnered to develop an industry-first initiative, the Net Zero Salons Programme – to enable hair salons to embark on the journey to Net Zero, open to salons across the UK and Ireland.

The Net Zero Salons Programme guides salons through the process of calculating, tracking and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through tailored carbon reduction plans, with the ultimate ambition of certifying as a “Net Zero Salon”. Developed by Net Zero Now in partnership with L’Oréal, as well as involving peer reviews and input from across the industry, the programme is based on a salon-specific roadmap and tool for measuring, tracking, reporting and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

With approximately 31,000 hair salons up and down UK high streets, salons play a significant role in the beauty economy. Data from the initial Net Zero Salons Programme pilot estimates that the average salon appointment produces 3.1kg of greenhouse gas emissions per year. In line with Science Based Targets, the programme aims to empower salons and clients alike to play their role in taking carbon reduction action and recommends that salons on the programme work towards a benchmark of 2kg per salon appointment. If all salons in the UK achieved this 2kg benchmark, the industry could remove approximately a third (33 per cent) of its greenhouse gas emissions. 

Client habits and expectations on sustainability are evolving: recent L’Oréal surveys found that nearly half of British women (45 per cent) said they made more sustainable choices in 2022 than in previous years, and when looking more specifically at salons, 43 per cent wanted to see their salon doing more to be sustainable, and nearly a quarter (23 per cent) said they now expect a beauty or wellness service provider to be committed to reducing their environmental footprint.

The programme aims to make the journey to becoming a “Net Zero Salon” accessible for all salons by providing personalised and actionable recommendations; from switching to renewable energy and becoming more energy efficient, improving waste treatment and management, reducing water consumption and heating, to incentivising employees with ride to work schemes or encouraging public transport options. The programme is open to salons in the UK & Ireland who can discover more and sign up to the programme now:  www.netzero.salon

Simon Heppner, Co-Founder, Net Zero Now said: “We are very excited to introduce this industry-first roadmap and tool for the salon sector in partnership with L’Oréal. This programme is open to all salons, empowering the whole industry to play its part in tackling the climate crisis and meeting the growing expectations of consumers and employees. We know this programme can help salons to be even more efficient by reducing energy and water consumption which we hope also brings more business resilience for the future. With Net Zero initiatives now live in hospitality, accountancy, tech services and salons, we’re providing tens of thousands of small businesses with the tools they need to take their first steps on the road to Net Zero.”  

Adam Reed, Adam Reed London, hairdresser & salon owner said: “I am delighted to be one of the first salons to be part of the L’Oréal and Net Zero Now ‘Net Zero Salons Programme’. Sustainability is something that is incredibly important to me as an individual and as a business leader – and it is something that both my team and clients actively ask about and want to see us taking action on. 

“I have been embarking on my salon’s sustainability journey for some time and new tools like the programme protocol are invaluable for our sector. The tool has helped me to understand where I am at on my journey by calculating and tracking, and then importantly, has helped me to accelerate with a personalised reduction plan and making my salon business more resilient for the future.” 

 

Millie Kendall OBE, CEO British Beauty Council said: “Now more than ever – especially post pandemic – salons play an essential role on our British high streets and local communities; with the power to not only inspire confidence and promote wellbeing, but to be an advocate for positive change – not only from a business perspective but extending to influencing consumer habits on important topics such as sustainability. This new Net Zero Salons Programme, coupled with L’Oréal’s new educational offerings to help up skill hairdressers on sustainability, is really empowering the salon sector to play its role and take action.”

Leading names in the salon industry, including Adam Reed (London), Trevor Sorbie (Manchester) and Linton & Mac (Scotland), were amongst the 17 salons who enrolled on the Net Zero Salons Programme pilot to help develop this industry-first actionable salon carbon footprint tracker and roadmap. 

The Net Zero Salons Programme is part of L’Oréal Groupe’s wider 2030 sustainability roadmap, L’Oreal For The Future, a set of measurable targets on climate, water, biodiversity and natural resources. As part of this roadmap, L’Oréal is committed to supporting its partner salons – and the wider industry – to adopt more sustainable business practices through its Hairstylists for the Future programme. This already established programme, has been developing innovative solutions to support salons across environmental pillars such as waste, through a partnership with the Green Salon Collective and water, providing solutions for responsible water use and lowering water consumption with the new L’Oréal Water Saver, a showerhead that uses jet-fusion technology to significantly reduce a salon’s water consumption at the backwash, which is set to roll out in spring 2023. 

Lockdown has brought many families closer together, and made parents re-evaluate what’s important and prompted them to think differently about their holidays as lockdown restrictions ease, according to new research commissioned by Luxury Family Hotels and conducted by Mumsnet.

80% of parents surveyed say that they have enjoyed the additional time spent together as a result of lockdown, and 76% say their children have enjoyed the additional time spent together. 67% say lockdown has brought them closer together as a family, and 70% say that it has made them re-evaluate what’s important in life as a family.

This is despite the fact that 55% say lockdown has been stressful, and 30% admit it has put a strain on family relationships. With limited opportunities to socialise and schools shut to most pupils, 69% say their children have spent too much time on screens.

55% say lockdown has made them behave more sustainably as a family, and 41% say it has changed their views on sustainability and foreign tourism. Once restrictions lift, two-thirds (66%) are hoping to go on some sort of holiday this year, with 41% saying it has made them reconsider the UK as a holiday destination. The majority (90%) of parents say they feel lucky that the UK has beaches and countryside where they can take their family for a break as restrictions ease.

The research confirmed a strong appetite for a Great British holiday for many families, with 47% confirming that they will opt for a beach holiday as their first trip post-lockdown; 43% said they would like to head to the countryside and 10% are keen to take a city break. More than half (53%) of parents surveyed admitted that they are really looking forward to a change of scenery.

66% are hopeful they will be able to go on holiday this year, even if restrictions mean it’s in the UK. Lockdown has prompted 2 in 5 (41%) of British families to consider the UK as their main holiday destination, although 29% say they are looking for inspiration.

2020 will be the year that many families return to the UK after bypassing it for foreign holidays. The research found that 29% of British families last holidayed in the UK three or more years ago and a further 10% admitted that they had not holidayed in the UK for over a decade.

Luxury Family Hotels is the pioneer of luxury family escapes in the UK. Simon Maguire, Managing Director, Luxury Family Hotels, commented:

“We wanted to commission this research to understand family attitudes to travel as restrictions ease. We know these last few months have been tough for parents and their children and their first holiday post-lockdown needs to be one that is enjoyable, stress-free and enables parents to have some much needed me-time and also quality time as a family. Each one of our unique hotels is located in picturesque places in the UK and has acres of space for families to enjoy and, importantly, gives parents a much-needed break from normal life.”

Mumsnet Founder Justine Roberts said:

“Lockdown has had huge impacts on just about every aspect of family life. Among those parents who have been able to stay at home, the familiar worry that they just don’t spend enough quality time with their children has been wiped out in one dramatic stroke. For some, lockdown has undoubtedly been a terrible experience, but this survey shows that for many, the time spent together has been transformative. It will be interesting to see whether families make long-term changes to reprioritise their time when restrictions start to ease.”

What families are most looking forward to

The research asked families what they are most looking forward to on their first holiday post lockdown. Fiindings include:

• a change of scenery (53%);
• someone else taking over the cooking (41%);
• visiting a beach (39%);
• spending time with their partner (34%);
• some ‘me’ time (29%);
• reading a magazine, book or paper in quiet (21%); and
• having their children looked after by someone else (21%).

Simon Maguire, Managing Director, Luxury Family Hotels, commented:

“The research shows that families are looking forward to a new adventure, a change of scenery from ‘home’ life given what we’ve been able to do during lockdown has been very restrictive.

“Parents most definitely want a break from the kitcken and cooking day in and day out. As a result, we have been working with our food and beverage teams in order to be able to offer families a wide range of eating options to tantalise their taste buds as well as some special treats and experiences including gourmet picnics to go.”

Wellness even more important

The research also uncovered the increasing importance of an element of wellness as part of a family’s next holiday. One in five of those surveyed (21%) indicated that an element of wellness in their holiday is an important factor in their typical holiday, and of those, 50% say it has become more important to them because of coronavirus.

Simon Maguire added:

In partnership with Elemis, Luxury Family Hotels will be offering a range of contactless treatments alongside a streamlined list of more traditional spa treatments to ensure there is a range of choices for all of our grown-up guests to relax and unwind.”

Holiday worries revealed

As the traditional summer holiday season looms, the research asked families what their main holiday worries were. Parents responded as follows:

• • overcrowding (53%);
• cleanliness of the place they are staying in (52%);
• social distancing rules (51%);
• being able to access sightseeing destinations (44%);
• trips being cancelled (41%);
• getting coronavirus while on holiday (36%);
• keeping children entertained (35%); and
• the availability of outdoor activities (35%).

When choosing holiday accommodation for a family’s first trip post-lockdown, factors that parents state are the most important to them include:

• location (68%);
• family friendliness (55%);
• overall cleanliness (46%);
• comfort (41%);
• sightseeing opportunities (38%);
• good food (34%);
• outdoor activities (31%);
• children’s play areas and entertainment (28%);
• an inside pool (19%); and
• an outside pool (16%).

Simon Maguire added:

“Our hotels are located by the beach or in the countryside and are perfectly placed to help families enjoy their first holiday as restrictions ease given they have acres of outside space and offer plenty of facilities for all the families to enjoy in a safe way. In addition, our experiences’ team has put together a whole host of ideas for families to enjoy – be it venturing to nearby off-the-track secret beaches; amazing walks away from the crowds, as well as a host of activities families can do in our spacious gardens and grounds. We’re very much looking forward to opening our doors and providing guests of all ages with a wonderful family experience.”