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.
We believe the businesses shaping the future should not have to choose between excellence and responsibility. The most desirable hotels, restaurants, brands and experiences can deliver extraordinary quality, creativity and service while also creating meaningful value for people, communities and the planet.
Our approach therefore 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.
Excellence: Excellence looks at what makes a business genuinely exceptional. We consider the quality of its product or experience, design and craftsmanship, service, originality, reputation and cultural relevance. The standard is intentionally high. The Punch is designed to recognise businesses people genuinely aspire to experience, discover and support — businesses that stand out not only because of what they do, but because of how exceptionally they do it.
Impact: Impact looks at how responsibly a business operates and the positive value it creates beyond the customer experience. Our assessment is guided by the PUNCH Impact Framework, built around five areas: Purpose, Upstream, Nature, Circularity and Humanity. Together, they consider governance and transparency, sourcing and traceability, climate and biodiversity, materials and resources, and the people, communities and cultures connected to the business. The Punch is not a certification. Our research is independent, and existing certifications, impact reports, recognised standards and verified data may be used as supporting evidence where relevant. The aim is not to reward claims or perfection, but to identify businesses demonstrating credible action, meaningful progress and real positive impact.
'Excellence is no longer only
about what a business creates,
but the impact it leaves behind.'
P • PURPOSE
Governance · Targets · Transparency
Purpose looks at how deeply positive impact is embedded into the way a business is led, managed and developed over time. We consider whether there is clear accountability, meaningful environmental and social goals, measurable progress and transparent communication around both achievements and areas that still need improvement. It is about understanding whether responsibility is part of the business model itself, rather than something added on afterwards, and whether it genuinely influences decisions, investment, operations, partnerships and future growth.
We also look at how consistently those commitments are carried through across the organisation. Strong purpose is reflected in leadership, staff engagement, internal systems, credible reporting and the willingness to communicate honestly about progress. The focus is not on perfection, but on whether a business can demonstrate a clear direction, a serious level of responsibility and evidence that positive impact is being treated as an ongoing part of how the company operates.
U • UPSTREAM
Sourcing · Provenance · Traceability
Upstream looks at where ingredients, materials, products and services come from, and at the people, places and systems behind them. We consider responsible sourcing, provenance, traceability, supplier practices, local value creation and the wider environmental and social impact of the supply chain. The aim is to understand what happens before a product, meal, stay or experience reaches the customer, and whether those choices reflect the same level of responsibility as the final experience itself.
We also look at the quality of relationships a business builds with its suppliers and producers. This can include supporting local economies, choosing lower-impact or regenerative materials, improving traceability, reducing exposure to harmful practices and creating longer-term partnerships with responsible producers. Upstream recognises that a large part of a business’s impact often happens beyond its own walls, and that meaningful responsibility requires understanding and influencing those wider systems.
N • NATURE
Climate · Water · Biodiversity
Nature looks at how a business understands, reduces and responds to its impact on the natural world. We consider climate action, energy use, water management, biodiversity, ecosystems and the protection of natural resources. The focus is on whether a business is taking meaningful steps to reduce pressure on the environment while also understanding the natural systems it depends on, particularly in sectors such as hospitality, food, travel and experiences where place and environment are central to the business itself.
Where relevant, we also look at whether a business goes beyond reducing harm and contributes to restoration or regeneration. This can include protecting local ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, improving water stewardship, restoring landscapes or investing in nature-based solutions. Nature recognises that responsible business today is not only about using fewer resources, but also about contributing to the long-term health and resilience of the environments that support both communities and businesses.
C • CIRCULARITY
Materials · Waste · Resources
Circularity looks at how thoughtfully a business uses materials and resources throughout its operations, and what happens to those materials once they are no longer needed. We consider waste prevention, reuse, recycling, packaging, resource efficiency, product longevity and the ability to keep materials in use for longer. The emphasis is on reducing unnecessary consumption and moving away from a traditional take-make-dispose model toward systems that are more efficient, intentional and regenerative.
We also consider how businesses rethink design and operations to prevent waste before it is created. This can include reducing single-use materials, finding new uses for by-products, choosing durable or recycled inputs, improving repair and reuse systems, and designing packaging or products with their full life cycle in mind. Circularity is ultimately about making better use of what already exists and reducing the amount of value that is lost through waste, disposal and inefficient resource use.
H • HUMANITY
People · Community · Culture
Humanity looks at the positive value a business creates for the people and places around it. We consider fair work, local opportunity, community contribution, inclusion, accessibility and the respect and preservation of culture and heritage. The focus is on whether a business creates benefits not only for its customers and owners, but also for employees, local communities, suppliers and the wider social environment in which it operates.
We also look at how businesses strengthen the places they are part of. This can include creating meaningful employment, investing in skills and education, supporting local entrepreneurs, collaborating with communities, protecting cultural traditions and ensuring that local people participate in the value being created. Humanity reflects the belief that meaningful impact should strengthen both the people within a business and the communities and cultures that make its success possible.
EXPLORE THE PUNCH
Celebrating Remarkable
Businesses with Impact