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Can solar panels McMagic away fast food’s dirty emissions?

McDonald’s is trying to cut its carbon footprint by more than a third over the next decades, writes Phoebe Cooke – but can the fast food giant really claim it is addressing the climate emergency while meat remains the focal point of the menu?

Monday 20 July 2020 16:51 BST
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At the chain's new site in Florida's Walt Disney World Resort, on-site solar provides 100% of the power
At the chain's new site in Florida's Walt Disney World Resort, on-site solar provides 100% of the power

Decked out with solar panels and a living wall, McDonald’s first “net-zero” restaurant launched in Walt Disney World this week as a mouth-watering display of sustainability.

The swish model in Orlando, Florida, is light, airy and powered by 100 per cent renewable energy. In this brave new world, those dining in can even work off their Happy Meal by pedalling a solar-powered bike to light up the iconic golden arches.

This latest addition to the fast food giant’s 38,000 restaurant empire is touted as a “laboratory” to test solutions for reducing energy and water use. It’s all part of the chain’s plan to cut the carbon footprint of all its restaurants and offices by 36 per cent by 2030 from 2015 levels to meet Paris Treaty targets.

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