The Carlsberg Group has announced that it has committed to eliminating carbon emissions and halving water usage at its breweries by 2030 as part of its new sustainability programme, Together Towards Zero.
The programme includes an ‘intermediate step’ that will see the Danish brewer exclusively using renewable electricity at its breweries by 2022.
The brewing company said, "Together Towards Zero is a response to increasing consumer demand for sustainable products in a time of global challenges, such as climate change, water scarcity and public-health issues."
The programme is part of Carlsberg’s existing Sail’22 strategy and it has four major aims, each with its own individual measures, as follows.
Zero Carbon Footprint
Carlsberg has worked with the Carbon Trust, the independent, not-for-profit expert, to set ‘science-based targets for emission reductions at a level that would contribute to limiting global warming to 1.5°C’ – a level set during the Paris Agreement.
As well as targeting zero carbon emissions by 2030 and 100% renewable energy by 2022, the company is also engaging partners along the value chain to reduce beer-in-hand emissions by 30% by 2030.
Zero Water Waste
Carlsberg teamed up with the WWF to identify those of its breweries situated in areas of high-risk water scarcity, developing targets to support its goals of zero water waste.
The new targets include halving brewery water usage by 2030 and working with partners to improve water management in high-risk areas around selected breweries.
Zero Irresponsible Drinking
The Danish brewer has committed to offering 100% distribution of alcohol-free beer by 2022, to expand consumer choice and provide the option of drinking responsibly.
Zero Accidents Culture
The new targets include a year-on-year reduction in the accident rate in order to achieve the ambition of zero accidents.
Cees 't Hart, CEO of the Carlsberg Group, said, “We’re committed to delivering zero carbon emissions and halving water usage at our breweries by 2030.
“As a first action, we’ll switch to 100% renewable electricity by 2022 and cooperate with partners to protect shared water resources in selected water-scarce areas. I'm certain that, in achieving our targets, we'll create efficiency improvements, risk reduction, and a more resilient business that exists in harmony with local communities and the environment."
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
