The Zero Carbon Forum and the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) have today launched an expanded, targeted roadmap for UK brewers to help the sector decarbonise at pace to reach net zero.
The bespoke roadmap, launched at the beginning of COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, is designed specifically for the brewing sector and provides guidance to support brewers on a pathway to net zero emissions.
Industry specialist Carbon Architecture, as lead consultant, has provided a deep dive into brewing emissions within the roadmap and quantified the sector’s environmental impact.
The actions needed are detailed, from optimising hot liquor systems to the decarbonisation of ingredients and transportation fleets, as well as highlighting the support needed from government to help the sector on its net zero journey.
An evolution of the version first published in 2021, this refreshed roadmap reflects the positive action taken by the sector since COP26 and the unique challenges and opportunities to decarbonise held by the brewing sector directly and across supply chains.
In accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Account and Reporting Standard, the roadmap has been broken down into three ‘scopes’ for reporting purposes, with an additional focus on scope three emissions which are indirect emissions from supply chains.
The Zero Carbon Roadmap for Brewing can be found here.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, said: “We are in a critical moment when it comes to protecting our planet, and we recognise how important it is for brewers to play their part and brew world class beer in a sustainable way.
“As an industry, we are ambitious in our ability to affect change, demonstrated by brewing businesses across the country already taking huge steps to be more environmentally friendly, from improving energy efficiency and reducing CO2, to lowering water consumption. But this roadmap will further support brewers in reducing their environmental footprint.
“This is not a mission we can embark on alone. Collaboration is key, which is why we are delighted to launch this bespoke guidance alongside the Zero Carbon Forum and Carbon Architecture, to provide British brewers with a clear pathway to a net zero, green future.”
Mark Chapman, chief executive of Zero Carbon Forum, said: “Through the Zero Carbon Forum, the brewing sector is collaborating to identify and implement all the actions it can take to cut carbon to net zero.
“Many of the initiatives detailed in this enhanced roadmap will also improve efficiency, grow sales, and de-risk supply chains, helping brewers survive the immediate crises as well as tackle the climate crises. Working alongside the BBPA we look forward to engaging government to support the implementation of reduction initiatives at pace to reach net zero.”
Will Todd, chief executive of Carbon Architecture, added: “The brewing industry has been taking really positive steps to decarbonise since the UK government first committed to its net zero 2050 targets, and during that time our friends at the BBPA have been spearheading the thought leadership which has been key to driving the agenda forward.
“This revised roadmap is the result of a strong collaboration between the sector’s largest and most influential trade association in the BBPA, the Zero Carbon Forum, which has ensured that the key stakeholders — the brewers themselves — are firmly invested in the recommendations put forward by the roadmap, and our consulting team at Carbon Architecture.
“We have been helping brewers optimise their processes to reduce energy, carbon, and product loss for the last decade, and I’m proud to say that we have come together to share our knowledge, and to help set this ambitious net zero pathway.”
