Carbon restaurant fee good for planet, says owner

Edson Diaz-Fuentes, co-founder of Santo Remedio, said customers had planted 23,000 trees through their contributions

A fee for diners to offset their carbon emissions is "positive for the planet", a London restaurateur has said.

Edson Diaz-Fuentes, co-founder of Santo Remedio, a Mexican restaurant with three London locations, said their customers had planted 23,000 trees through a discretionary £1.23 fee added to their bill.

He said he decided to join a restaurant donation scheme in 2024, which plants trees in African countries and Mexico, over concerns about deforestation.

Chief executive of the Fundraising Regulator Gerald Oppenheim said contributions to charities and organisations had to be presented to the diner as a choice.

One diner said she did not mind the fee, when split between a large table

Mr Diaz-Fuentes said the £1.23 fee was a way for diners to "slowly contribute to regenerative reforestation".

"Most of our produce is plants, we're grateful for what mother nature gives us, so it's a way for us to contribute and add something positive for the planet," he said.

"So far we haven't had any issues, people are happy. It's good to support different initiatives."

In October 2024, Mr Diaz-Fuentes signed up to UK initiative GiftTrees which adds an opt-out fee to the bill of each meal to fund reforestation projects.

Gerald Oppenheim, chief executive of the Fundraising Regulator, said the charges had to be optional

One diner in Santo Remedio, Natalie, said she did not mind the charge.

"If it's split between the table, it's not that big of a cost," she said. "I don't see it that often in restaurants, more in shops."

William, who was also eating in the restaurant, said it was a "smart marketing tactic".

"If you've just spent £100 on a bill, £2 to any charitable cause - you'd be a tight so-and-so to say no to that," he said. "I don't have a problem with it ethically."

Brooke, another diner, added: "Maybe if it was a smaller bill, I might notice it more.

"If it's just a miscellaneous charge then people might question it. But if it's a recognisable charity, I wouldn't have a problem adding that on."

Mr Oppenheim, from the Fundraising Regulator, said it was important that diners did not feel pressured into giving.

"A diner needs to know in advance that there's going to be a voluntary donation asked of them, and they need to have the opportunity to opt out," he said.

"Rather like the service charge that a restaurant adds to the bill, you don't have to pay it, so it's a choice."