THE PUNCH • METHOD
Recognizing Excellence
& Meaningful Positive Impact
The Punch Method is the framework we use to identify businesses where exceptional quality and meaningful positive impact belong together.
Our approach looks at two distinct dimensions: Excellence and Impact. A business must demonstrate both. Strong impact cannot compensate for an average experience, and exceptional quality cannot compensate for weak responsibility.
We believe impact should be rigorous, but it should also be understandable. When businesses can clearly see the actions that matter, commit to them and learn from one another, meaningful progress becomes easier to make and easier to accelerate.
Impact is therefore considered through 15 clear Punch Commitments across five areas: Purpose, Upstream, Nature, Circularity and Humanity. The same framework applies across industries, while the evidence considered reflects the realities and most significant impacts of each business.
The Punch is a recognition, not a certification. The Method helps us identify meaningful action, measurable progress and leadership, supported by independent research, existing certifications, impact reports and verified evidence where relevant.
Excellence is no longer only
about what a business creates,
but the impact it leaves behind.
The 15 Punch Commitments
define what meaningful impact
looks like in practice.
P • PURPOSE
01. Governance & Accountability
The business assigns clear responsibility for environmental and social impact, with accountability embedded into leadership and decision-making. Responsible practices are integrated into how the business is managed, developed and evaluated over time, rather than treated as separate initiatives.
02. Targets & Measurement
The business sets meaningful environmental and social goals and tracks progress using relevant indicators. Performance is reviewed over time, allowing the business to understand where improvements are being made, where challenges remain and how future decisions can be informed by evidence.
03. Transparency & Engagement
The business communicates its impact clearly and responsibly, with claims supported by credible information where possible. Employees are informed and engaged in responsible practices, and progress is shared in a way that is honest about both achievements and areas still requiring improvement.
U • UPSTREAM
04. Responsible Sourcing
The business actively considers environmental and social impact when selecting ingredients, materials, products and services. It favours responsible suppliers, lower-impact alternatives and sourcing choices that reflect its wider values wherever these options are relevant and available.
05. Provenance & Origin
The business understands where its key ingredients, materials and products come from, including the people, places and production methods behind them. Greater knowledge of provenance allows it to make more informed choices and build stronger relationships with responsible producers and suppliers.
06. Traceability
The business maintains meaningful visibility across its key supply chains and can verify the origin of important inputs where relevant. It considers supplier practices, working conditions, ethical risks and environmental impacts beyond its own direct operations.
N • NATURE
07. Climate & Energy
The business takes active steps to reduce its climate impact through more efficient operations, lower energy use and lower-emission choices. Where relevant, it measures emissions, increases the use of renewable energy and demonstrates credible progress toward reducing its overall footprint.
08. Water
The business manages water responsibly by understanding where and how it is used and taking steps to reduce unnecessary consumption. Where relevant, it improves efficiency, introduces reuse or recovery systems and considers the wider water conditions of the place in which it operates.
09. Biodiversity & Ecosystems
The business works to avoid harm to ecosystems and natural habitats connected to its activities. Where relevant, it protects biodiversity, supports restoration or regeneration, respects wildlife and contributes positively to the long-term health of the natural environment around it.
C • CIRCULARITY
10. Responsible Materials
The business makes considered choices about the materials and packaging it uses, prioritising durability, reuse, recycled content and lower-impact alternatives where possible. It works to reduce unnecessary single-use materials and considers what happens to materials beyond their initial use.
11. Waste Prevention
The business actively works to prevent waste before it is created and manages remaining waste through responsible systems. This may include food-waste reduction, reuse, repair, donation, recovery, recycling, composting and other approaches that keep valuable resources in circulation.
12. Resource Efficiency
The business uses resources thoughtfully across its operations, products and services, with a focus on reducing unnecessary consumption. It seeks opportunities to extend the useful life of materials, improve efficiency and move away from linear systems of use and disposal.
H • HUMANITY
13. People & Fair Work
The business provides fair, safe and respectful working conditions and supports the wellbeing and development of its employees. It promotes inclusion, equal opportunity, training and meaningful progression, while recognising people as a central part of long-term business success.
14. Community
The business creates positive value for the communities and local economy around it through its everyday operations and relationships. This may include local employment, responsible procurement, partnerships, education, skills development, community initiatives and other forms of long-term contribution.
15. Culture & Heritage
The business respects and supports local culture, heritage, traditional knowledge and creative identity. It engages with cultural practices thoughtfully, avoids exploitation or superficial representation and, where relevant, helps preserve and strengthen the people and traditions connected to them.
EXPLORE THE PUNCH
Celebrating Remarkable
Businesses with Impact