Ahead of Earth Day tomorrow (22nd April), UK brewers and pub companies have come together at a Parliamentary event showcasing business innovations designed to brew and serve cleaner, greener beer.
Adnams’ beekeeper, Steve Beeston (right), talks about biodiversity with Jonathan Djanogly MP, and Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA
Hosted by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), the event saw brewing and pub businesses showcase the steps they have taken to reduce their environmental impact, and outline what more could be done by government to further their sustainability efforts.
Attended by MPs from across the political spectrum, the showcase provided an insight into the range of actions pubs and breweries are taking in their journey to net zero. Businesses showed how they were making investments in regenerative farming practices, electric vehicles, and environmentally-minded packaging, to name a few.
The occasion was also an opportunity for MPs to hear directly from businesses on the extra opportunities that could be taken if the government invested more in the sector’s sustainability initiatives. Businesses outlined three key asks to support their efforts on sustainability:
- Reduce the complexity and costs of the environmental regulatory framework;
- Resource the development of low-carbon technologies through greater investment; and
- Release potential for carbon reduction by providing funding opportunities for businesses.
Addressing attendees, business minister Kevin Hollinrake MP said: “Pubs and breweries are at the heart of our local areas, and I commend the steps they are taking to reduce their environmental impact for the benefit of the communities they serve.
“The government is committed to making the UK a net zero economy by 2050, and it’s great to see the brilliant work being done by these businesses in support of this goal.”
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the BBPA, added: “We are proud to be leading the way on sustainability, with our brewers and pubs innovating and creating new ways to be even greener throughout their businesses.
“Today’s event is just a glimpse of what our sector is coming together to achieve, instilling sustainability from grain to glass. As an industry we are making great stridesto meet targets and continue to strive for a greener future.
“However, we also need investment and support from government to do even more, for example the delay to DRS (the deposit return scheme) to ensure it will work effectively is welcome, and we look forward to working with policy-makers on this and other steps on the road to net zero.”
• For more information and inspiration on how pubs and breweries are innovating in sustainability visit brewinggreen.org
