TROO Hospitality launches ‘TROO Impact’, their sustainability strategy

Sophie and Ellen from our team had the pleasure of hosting a workshop at TROO Hospitality’s HQ in Manchester. The workshop brought together key stakeholders to launch TROO Hospitality's ambitious sustainability strategy, TROO Impact.

TROO Hospitality, which offers comprehensive hotel management services, has been partnering with us since September 2022 to assess, manage, and improve the sustainability performance of its growing portfolio.

Employee engagement is key to driving positive change. The workshop focused on embedding sustainable practices and defining the strategic rollout of TROO Impact across the portfolio, ensuring that sustainability is integrated operationally.

We recognised the achievements of the FuturePlus IMPACT CERTIFIED hotels under TROO Hospitality’s management, including Stock Exchange Hotel, Hotel Football, Aberdeen Caledonian Hotel, Oxford Eastgate Hotel, and Stratford Shakespeare Hotel, by presenting IMPACT CERTIFIED plaques. We look forward to seeing these displayed within the hotels.

🗣 "It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the progress TROO Hospitality has made thus far, create a shared understanding and commitment around sustainability, and outline a clear pathway to drive TROO Impact forward over the next few years. Congratulations to Kevin Hobson and the team on their progress so far.” – Sophie Davies, Senior Sustainability Executive, FuturePlus.

Football Foundation investment sees Community Sport Hub open in Portsmouth

A new multi-million-pound sports hub has opened in Portsmouth, funded largely by a £4.4 million grant from the Premier League, The FA, and the Football Foundation.

FuturePlus member, The Football Foundation's funding has enabled the creation of two high-quality 3G pitches, six grass pitches, and a modern pavilion with essential amenities, including changing rooms, a café, and multi-use social spaces.

These facilities will provide the foundation for local teams and community programs to thrive, expanding access to quality sports infrastructure in the area.

The King George V Football Complex, managed by Hampshire FA, is set to become a home base for local clubs, which collectively manage 120 teams.

With the enhanced resources provided by the Football Foundation’s grant, these clubs expect to grow to over 150 teams within five years.

The Foundation’s investment also supports community initiatives, with Hampshire FA and Pompey in The Community (PITC) delivering walking football, disability sessions, Premier League Kicks, and more. This initiative demonstrates the Football Foundation’s dedication to fostering grassroots sports across the UK.

“It’s great to see the King George V Football Complex officially open today. It’s a brilliant example of how investment from our partners, the Premier League, The FA, Government and Sport England improve grassroots facilities across the country.” - Dean Potter, Director of Grant Management at the Football Foundation

The Business Loop in Reading

James Amar from FuturePlus member, RH Amar joined us on Thursday for the first Business Loop event in Reading, Wiltshire.

The Business Loop is our inaugural event beyond London, designed to engage and inspire local businesses committed to building sustainable growth and resilience.
Our panel included Ben Morgan from Circular Accountants, Clare Sharp from Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Doug Johnson from Mesh Energy.

We’ll be sharing some of the key takeaways from the event next week.

Thank you to our event partners, Stratstone Jaguar Reading and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Environmental charity warns Plastic Credit Schemes may do ‘More Harm Than Good’

As global leaders gather for the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in Busan, environmental charity Fauna & Flora has raised concerns about plastic credit schemes, labelling them a “false solution” to plastic pollution.

According to a report released this week, these schemes may do “more harm than good,” with concerns about transparency, environmental impact, and social sustainability. Plastic credit schemes allow companies to offset their plastic footprint by investing in projects that collect, recycle, or manage plastic waste, often in low-income regions with limited waste infrastructure.

While these projects aim to boost local waste management, Fauna & Flora’s commissioned study indicates that many schemes fall short of delivering meaningful environmental benefits.

One of the report's most troubling findings is that some schemes allocate up to 50% of plastic credits for waste burned in the open or used in waste-to-energy facilities. This process can release pollutants like microplastics and carbon emissions, undermining the climate and biodiversity gains these schemes intend to achieve.

Furthermore, the report warns that recycling processes used in some schemes are carbon-intensive, potentially worsening overall greenhouse gas emissions.

The lack of consistent standards and the risk of social harm add to the criticism, highlighting the need for robust regulations to ensure plastic credit schemes genuinely benefit the environment.