Brewing industry sets “tough” sustainability targets
Brewers including Anheuser-Busch InBev, Carlsberg and Heineken have committed to reducing CO2 emissions by 17.5% over the next decade in a bid to make the industry more sustainable.
The “tough” targets have been set by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) in its “Brewing green/Our commitment” report unveiled today (7 December).
Brewers have also committed to boosting water efficiency by 11% between now and 2020.
To these ends, commitments to reduce packaging waste, encouraging recycling and reducing the weight of bottles and cans are made.
Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the BBPA, says: “The brewing industry is being bold, open and progressive about its environmental commitments. When it comes to an industry that is dedicated to improving our environmental performance, we want to ensure that it’s a case of ’beer is best.’”
To help meet the commitments, the BBPA says it will “enhance” data recording from next year on all areas “to ensure we are meeting our targets and obligations”.
The BBPA claims that the brewing industry already has an “impressive” record in reducing emissions and water use. It says that it is committing to almost double the Government’s 2020 carbon reduction target.
The industry’s carbon emissions are 67% lower than in 1990, compared with the UK target of 34%, the BBPA claims.
