Carlsberg has released its sustainability report for 2020, which shows a 7% decrease in carbon emissions across its value chain, as well as a 7% improvement in water efficiency.
These achievements were made between 2015 and 2020, the group said, and means that it is now well-positioned to achieve its 'Together Towards Zero' plan of climate-conscious improvements.
Value Chain
Carlsberg has worked with suppliers across its value chain, which it described as the 'beer-in-hand footprint', to implement more sustainable practices. Having achieved a 7% reduction in emissions between 2015-2019, the group is set to achieve its target of reductions of 15% by 2022 and 30% by 2030.
The group's climate action has been praised by global environmental non-profit organisation CDP, which has placed the brewer on its 'A List'. Carlsberg has also aligned itself to the Paris Climate Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to an increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Other improvements made by the brewer include three of its breweries achieving carbon neutrality in 2020, bringing the total to eight. Carbon emissions per hectolitre of beer produced at the group's breweries were reduced by 12% and water use by 7% in 2019.
The report also mentions the transformation of Carlsberg's breweries to produce hand sanitiser in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and other measures to support the fight against the pandemic.
Targets
Cees t’ Hart, CEO, Carlsberg Group, said that although the year was challenging, the group "will not let COVID-19 throw us off course." Hart reiterated the improvements made across the value chain, and believes that Carlsberg is on track to meet its 2022 targets.
The brewer's Together Towards Zero plan sets out the sustainability goals of zero carbon footprint and zero water waste, as well as zero irresponsible drinking and zero accidents in the production chain.
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Conor Farrelly. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
